Overview

Bring the luxury of homegrown saffron to your garden with these premium saffron crocus bulbs. Each pack contains 50 large 9/10cm Crocus Sativus bulbs, carefully selected for their robust growth and reliable flowering. These unique fall-blooming crocus varieties burst into stunning lilac flowers with deep purple veining during October and November, providing a much-needed splash of color as most other garden plants fade. Beyond their ornamental beauty, these blooms yield the highly sought-after red stigmas, which are the source of the world’s most valuable spice – saffron. Imagine harvesting your own fragrant threads directly from your garden, adding an unparalleled flavor and aroma to your culinary creations. Growing crocus sativus bulbs is a rewarding experience for both novice and experienced gardeners, allowing you to enjoy fresh saffron and vibrant autumn blooms.

These saffron crocus bulbs are ideal for anyone looking to grow saffron at home. They establish quickly and can remain in the ground for several years, with yields often strengthening in the second season. The large bulb size ensures excellent performance and consistent flowering, making saffron harvesting from your own garden an accessible and enjoyable endeavor. Whether you’re a gourmet cook, an avid gardener, or simply curious about growing exotic plants, these bulbs offer an exciting opportunity.

Key Benefits

Investing in saffron crocus bulbs brings a multitude of benefits, from aesthetic appeal to culinary delight. These bulbs provide a unique gardening experience and a valuable harvest.

• Homegrown Saffron Harvest: Produce your own supply of the world’s most expensive spice. Each flower yields precious red stigmas, allowing you to enjoy fresh, potent saffron for cooking, baking, and flavoring. This makes it incredibly rewarding to grow saffron at home.
• Stunning Autumn Blooms: Enjoy vibrant lilac flowers with elegant purple veining in fall, when most gardens are winding down. These beautiful blooms extend the gardening season and add unique visual interest.
• Easy to Grow: Crocus sativus bulbs are relatively low-maintenance and establish quickly. With proper planting and care, even beginner gardeners can successfully grow these spice-producing flowers.
• Naturalizing & Deer Resistant: These bulbs naturalize well, spreading and multiplying over time to create larger displays. They are also deer-resistant, protecting your investment from common garden pests.
• Versatile Planting Options: Suitable for sunny garden beds, woodland edges, pathway borders, and containers. Their adaptability allows you to incorporate them into various garden designs.
• Long-Lasting Performance: When planted in well-drained soil, these bulbs are long-lasting and will return year after year, providing continuous harvests and blooms for multiple seasons.
• Culinary & Aromatic Value: Experience the rich, distinct flavor and aroma of pure saffron in your dishes, elevating your cooking to a new level. This is a primary reason many choose to grow saffron at home.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your saffron crocus bulbs is straightforward, ensuring a successful harvest and beautiful blooms. These bulbs thrive in specific conditions that mimic their natural Mediterranean habitat. The most crucial factor is well-draining soil, as waterlogged conditions can lead to rot. Choose a location that receives full sun to partial sun, ideally with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Plant the large 9/10cm bulbs with 4–6 inches of soil above them. For garden beds, space bulbs approximately eight inches apart, using about nine bulbs per square foot for a dense, impactful display. If you plan to grow saffron at home in containers, plant three bulbs in a 10–14 inch pot using a quality compost or potting mix, ensuring adequate drainage holes.

Water your crocus sativus bulbs lightly to keep the soil moist during growth periods, especially from late summer through fall when they are actively growing and blooming. Avoid overwatering, which can be detrimental. Fertilize in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer as new shoots emerge, providing essential nutrients for strong growth and future blooms. Always water at soil level to minimize the risk of flower discoloration and fungal issues on the delicate stigmas. Applying a light layer of mulch can help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature, but ensure the mulch is kept away from the bulb crowns to prevent rot. These bulbs are hardy in USDA zones 6-9, making them suitable for a wide range of climates. With proper care, your saffron spice plant will provide years of enjoyment and delicious harvests.

Size & Details

This offering includes 50 premium saffron crocus bulbs, each measuring a substantial 9/10cm in circumference. This larger bulb size is indicative of maturity and ensures a higher likelihood of first-year flowering and robust saffron production. The bulbs are shipped dormant, ready for fall planting, which is typically from late summer through early fall, allowing them to establish before their autumn blooming cycle. Once planted, the plants will reach an approximate height of five inches, with their graceful six-petaled blooms opening on sunny days and closing at night. These crocus sativus bulbs are selected for their excellent performance and ability to naturalize, meaning they will multiply over time, providing an ever-increasing yield of saffron threads in subsequent seasons. Expect to begin harvesting saffron threads from the first season, with stronger yields typically observed from the second year onwards. This ensures a long-term, sustainable source of your own valuable spice.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these saffron crocus bulbs get? A: These are large 9/10cm circumference bulbs, which are premium size for robust growth and flowering. The plants themselves grow to about five inches tall.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While they can be grown in containers, saffron crocus bulbs are primarily outdoor plants that thrive in garden beds, borders, and naturalized areas with sufficient sunlight.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: Saffron crocus prefers a location with full sun to partial sun, ideally receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal flowering and saffron production.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, these crocus sativus bulbs are relatively easy to care for, requiring well-drained soil and moderate watering. They are a great choice for gardeners looking to grow saffron at home.
• Q: What condition will the bulbs arrive in? A: The bulbs will arrive dormant and ready for planting, typically in late summer to early fall, ensuring they are prepared for their natural growth cycle.
• Q: When is the best time to plant saffron crocus bulbs? A: The ideal time to plant these bulbs is from late summer to early fall, allowing them to establish roots before their autumn blooming period.
• Q: How long until saffron crocus bulbs bloom? A: These bulbs typically bloom in October and November of the same year they are planted, providing fall color and the opportunity to harvest saffron threads quickly.
• Q: Can I really grow saffron at home with these bulbs? A: Absolutely! These saffron crocus bulbs are specifically for producing the valuable spice. With proper care, you can harvest your own saffron threads.
• Q: What USDA zones are suitable for saffron crocus? A: Saffron crocus bulbs are generally hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9, making them suitable for a wide range of climates across the US.
• Q: How many saffron crocus bulbs should I plant for a good harvest? A: For a noticeable harvest, planting 50 bulbs is a good start. The bulbs naturalize and multiply over time, increasing your yield in subsequent seasons.