596 gardener saves
Crocus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 13 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 12 most-saved Crocus varieties
Of 13 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCrocus Mix
Crocus crocus 'Mix'
#2 most savedRuby Giant Crocus
Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant'
#3 most savedGolden Yellow Crocus
Crocus x hybrida 'Golden Yellow'
Pickwick Dutch Crocus
Crocus vernus 'Pickwick'
Whitewell Purple Crocus
Crocus tommasinianus 'Whitewell Purple'
Spring Crocus
Crocus vernus
Dutch Crocus Spring Crocus
Crocus vernus 'Flower Record'
Crocus
Crocus x hybrida
Jeanne d'Arc crocus Jeanne d'Arc Crocus
Crocus vernus 'Jeanne d'
Remembrance Crocus
Crocus vernus 'Remembrance'
Tommasini's Crocus
Crocus tommasinianus
Snow Crocus
Crocus chrysanthus
Browse all 13 Crocus varieties →
How to grow Crocus
What the Crocus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 13 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Crocus year
- PlantSeptember–November100% of varieties
Plant corms 3-4 inches deep in late summer for fall bloom
- FertilizeFebruary and March92% of varieties
Apply bulb fertilizer when flowers appear and again in late winter
- DivideJune and July54% of varieties
Divide crowded corms every 3-5 years when dormant in early summer
- Spring CleanupApril and May54% of varieties
Cut back dead, yellowed foliage after it has fully withered
- DeadheadMarch and April31% of varieties
Remove spent flowers, but leave foliage to recharge the corm
Do
- Water moderately during active growth 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring
- Water during dry spells in spring 🌱
- Remove spent flowers to encourage new growth
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in early fall
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent rot ❌
- Refrain from cutting back foliage prematurely
- Overwater during dormancy ❌
- Overwater to prevent bulb rot ❌
What goes wrong with Crocus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Rodents | Bulb destruction | Use wire mesh or repellents around planting area |
| Slugs | Holes in leaves | Apply organic slug bait or diatomaceous earth |
| Narcissus Bulb Fly | Bulb rot and failure to bloom | Use organic neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Bulb fly | Larvae damage corms | Apply organic insecticidal soap or remove affected corms |
| Gray mold | Gray fuzzy growth on leaves | Improve air circulation and remove affected plant parts |
| Corm rot | Soft, decayed corms with foul smell | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
| Gray Mold | Gray fuzzy mold on bulbs and leaves | Ensure good air circulation and avoid overwatering |
Making more Crocus
Corm division
- Dig up mature bulbs in late summer
- Separate offsets with clean knife
- Replant immediately in well-prepared soil
Seed sowing
- Collect seeds after flowering.
- Sow in well-drained soil in fall.
- Keep moist and provide full sun for germination.
Crocus questions
How many types of Crocus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 13 distinct Crocus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 596 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Crocus grow in?
Across its varieties, Crocus covers USDA Zones 4–8. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Crocus bloom?
Most Crocus varieties bloom in early spring, fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Crocus 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
Crocus shows up in
By hardiness zone
Related genera
Design with Crocus 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.
