Also known as Camas · 194 gardener saves
Camassia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Camassia, the genus most gardeners know as camas. We track 5 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 5 most-saved Camassia varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCommon Camas
Camassia quamash
#2 most savedBlue Danube Camas
Camassia leichtlinii 'Blue Danube'
#3 most savedLeichtlin's Camas
Camassia leichtlinii
Blue Heaven Camas
Camassia quamash 'Blue Heaven'
Camassia quamash Blue Melody
Camassia quamash 'Blue Melody'
How to grow Camassia
What the Camassia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Camassia year
- PlantSeptember–November100% of varieties
Plant bulbs 4-6 inches deep in fall for spring bloom
- FertilizeFebruary and March100% of varieties
Apply bulb fertilizer as new shoots emerge in early spring
- DeadheadMay and June80% of varieties
Remove spent flower stalks, but leave foliage to ripen naturally
- Spring CleanupJune60% of varieties
Cut back dead, yellowed foliage once it has fully died back
- DivideJuly40% of varieties
Divide crowded clumps every 3-4 years after foliage dies back
Do
- Water regularly during active growth 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring
- Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature
- Allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally
- Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Do not disturb bulbs during dormancy
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season
- Avoid planting in poorly drained soil
What goes wrong with Camassia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Bulb mites | Stunted growth and discolored leaves | Use organic neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Bulb Fly | Larvae damage bulbs, causing rot | Use organic neem oil or apply beneficial nematodes |
| Bulb Mites | Deformed or decayed bulbs | Apply organic neem oil or use beneficial nematodes |
| Fungal rot | Soft, rotting bulbs with foul smell | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed bulbs | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
| Basal Rot | Yellowing leaves, rotted bulbs | Improve drainage and avoid overwatering |
Making more Camassia
Corm division
- Dig up mature clumps in early fall.
- Separate healthy corms with sharp tools.
- Plant immediately at 4-6 inches depth.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Allow 6 weeks for root establishment.
Seed sowing
- Collect seeds after flowering.
- Sow seeds in well-draining soil in early spring.
- Keep soil moist and in a shaded location.
- Germination may take several weeks to months.
Camassia questions
How many types of Camassia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Camassia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 194 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Camassia grow in?
Across its varieties, Camassia covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Camassia bloom?
Most Camassia varieties bloom in late spring, mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Camassia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Camassia shows up in
Design with Camassia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
