When to Plant Crocus Bulbs | Gardener's Path

There’s nothing like waking up one late-winter day to a field of gorgeous crocus blooms in your own backyard.

But when, exactly, do you have to plant crocus bulbs, technically called corms, in order to see a bounty of flowers?

Of the three most popular varieties – snow (Crocus chrysanthus), Dutch (C. vernus), and saffron (C. sativus) – two are vernal and one is autumnal, so planting times differ, and vary according to your USDA Hardiness Zone.

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You can find out more about growing crocus in our complete guide, but in this article, we’ll be focusing on when to plant this hardy member of the iris family.

Both snow and Dutch varieties are hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8. These two varieties are vernal, which means they bloom in spring.

But of course, the lowest extreme temperature in Zone 3 is very different than it is in Zone 8, and planting times need to be adjusted accordingly.

I live in Alaska, in Zone 4. Those of us living in states with cold winters stretching from Washington to Maine and down through Utah, Colorado, Kansas, and Ohio – in other words, gardeners in Zones 3-6 – need to plant crocus corms in September and October.

Those in warmer climates will generally aim to plant their corms closer to November.

In either case, the exact month for planting depends on one thing: the average date of the first hard frost in your area, when outside temperatures fall below 28°F for several hours at a stretch.

Count back six to eight weeks before your average first frost date and you’ll know when to plant your corms.

There’s a caveat, though: the soil