How Cold-Tolerant Is Saffron Crocus? Detailed Guide to Growing Methods and Precautions

Today we introduce a very famous flower, one that embodies expensiveness, and it is also one of the most precious spices in the world; in traditional Chinese medicine it is called fanhonghua (saffron).

Saffron crocus is native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe regions, and was later successfully cultivated on a large scale in Shanghai and Zhejiang; generally speaking, in the flower market it is mostly grown as a potted plant. In appearance, its flowers are relatively small with many petals, and the flower colors are mainly light purple and white; the dark-colored style in the center is one of the main components of the spice. Its blooming schedule is like that of people, opening by day and closing by night, with a unique biological clock characteristic.

So after buying it and bringing it home, how do you care for it? Saffron crocus likes light, so you can place it in a spot with good ventilation and good light. As for soil, give it a substrate with a pH value of 6-7 (neutral) and good drainage.

As for watering, saffron crocus does not need to be watered too much, because its growing season is from late winter to early summer, when natural rainfall is relatively abundant. For care, just follow the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry out between waterings. You can water according to the actual soil conditions; you can touch the soil with your hand, and when the soil is slightly dry, water it thoroughly, but be careful not to let water accumulate at the bottom of the pot, so as to avoid waterlogged roots and root rot.

In terms of temperature and humidity, saffron crocus is relatively cold-tolerant and is a perennial plant. Its suitable growing temperature is between 2~19°C, so it is very difficult to make it bloom in a relatively hot summer or a relatively mild winter. If you want it to bloom, its corms must definitely experience a cold winter; only in this way can its growth be stimulated. At the same time, when growing it in a pot, be careful not to frequently change its care environment, otherwise fluctuating temperatures will also bring adverse effects to its growth. At the same time, when the surrounding environment is relatively high in humidity, it is also easy for it to enter a dormant period.

No plant can do without the action of fertilizing. Although saffron crocus does not need a lot of fertilizer, generally speaking it is also recommended to apply a little fertilizer during the growing season, as this will help its growth.

As for pruning, if you see yellow leaves you can prune them for it. After pruning, the leaves can be left in the garden or under the lawn, allowing the nutrients from the yellow leaves to flow back to the corms again.