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Gladiolus
We track 14 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 14 most-saved Gladiolus varieties
3 species of Gladiolus
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Gladiolus in Sow
Save the Gladiolus you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Gladiolus
Whats common across all Gladiolus varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 14 most-grown of them.
The Gladiolus year
- PlantMarch–May100% of varieties
Plant corms 4-6 inches deep in succession every 2 weeks after last frost
- StakeMay and June100% of varieties
Stake tall varieties when flower spikes begin to emerge
- Lift & StoreSeptember and October93% of varieties
Dig corms after foliage yellows or first frost; cure and store in a cool, dry place
- HarvestJune–August71% of varieties
Cut stems when the lowest flower bud shows color, leaving 4 leaves on the plant
- FertilizeApril–June50% of varieties
Apply balanced fertilizer monthly once spikes are visible
Do
- Water consistently during active growth 🌱
- Stake tall flower stems for support
- Water consistently during the growing season 🌱
- Stake tall stems to support heavy blooms
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 💧
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Don’t plant in poorly drained soil
- Refrain from cutting back foliage prematurely
What goes wrong with Gladiolus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves and new growth | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Thrips | Deformed or discolored flowers and leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Botrytis (Gray Mold) | Gray fuzzy mold on flowers and leaves | Improve air circulation and remove affected parts |
| Botrytis (gray mold) | Gray fuzzy mold on flowers and leaves | Improve air circulation and remove affected parts |
| Botrytis blight | Gray mold on flowers and leaves | Improve air circulation and remove affected plant parts |
Making more Gladiolus
Corm division
- Dig up mature corms in fall
- Separate offsets with a sharp, clean knife
- Allow cut surfaces to dry for 24 hours
- Plant divisions 4 inches deep in spring
- Water thoroughly after planting
Seed sowing
- Collect seeds after flowering.
- Sow seeds in trays filled with seed-starting mix.
- Maintain moist conditions and provide bright, indirect light.
- Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks, transplant seedlings when large enough.
Gladiolus questions
How many types of Gladiolus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 14 distinct Gladiolus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 162 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Gladiolus grow in?
Across its varieties, Gladiolus covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Gladiolus bloom?
Most Gladiolus varieties bloom in early summer, late spring to early summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Gladiolus 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.