Our vigorous and easy to grow Saffron Crocus plants are supplied in small pots and, after the first year of growth, can be easily divided to expand your planting.
Enjoy growing your own Saffron, the most expensive and highly prized spice in the world. This delicious and colorful seasoning is essential to Indian Curries and many other dishes. Attractive lilac and mauve flowers appear and bloom in early fall and last for just a short time. The yellow, thread-like stigmas in the center of the flower are the saffron spice and are gathered in mid-morning when dry but before the flower wilts. Saffron is easy to grow and well-adapted to our Northwest climate and other regions where temperatures do not fall below -10º F. In colder regions it can be grown in pots or dug up in the fall and replanted in the spring.
Latin Name: Crocus sativus
Site and Soil: Saffron likes 1/2 day to full day sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Crocus can be grown where temperatures do not fall below minus 10° F.
Bearing Age:
Size at Maturity: 12-18″ in height.
Bloom Time:
Ripening Time:
Yield: 10 bulbs will yield enough threads for several dishes.
Pests & Diseases: It is important to protect the bulbs from gophers and mice. Prevent root rot by keeping the soil dry in summer.
USDA Zone: 6
Sunset Western Zone: 1-24
Sunset Northeast Zone: 31, 32, 34-45