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Autumn Crocus

Also known as

Meadow saffron and Naked ladies

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Colchicum autumnale

Genus

Colchicum

Family

Colchicaceae

Order

Liliales

How to care for Autumn Crocus

💦 Water

How often to water your Autumn Crocus

Autumn Crocus needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Autumn Crocus in your home

Autumn Crocus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Autumn Crocus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Autumn Crocus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Autumn Crocus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Autumn Crocus: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Autumn Crocus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

#HappyPlants I have a wide variety of crocus flowers I planted with bulbs a few years back and it they are beautiful flowers I planted them next to my garden tulips that come up mid spring

Browse #AutumnCrocus

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Autumn Crocus is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Autumn Crocus →

Benefits of Growing Autumn Crocus →

Common Autumn Crocus Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Autumn Crocus →

💦 Water Needs

Autumn Crocus prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Autumn Crocus Water Frequency →

Autumn Crocus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Autumn Crocus requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Autumn Crocus Light Requirements →

Autumn Crocus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Autumn Crocus is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Autumn Crocus is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

🪴 Soil

Autumn Crocus does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Autumn Crocus →

Best Pots for Autumn Crocus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Autumn Crocus →

What Are Healthy Autumn Crocus Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Autumn Crocus should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Autumn Crocus →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Autumn Crocus grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Autumn Crocus Lifecycle →

Autumn Crocus Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Autumn Crocus →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Autumn Crocus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Autumn Crocus Temperature Tolerance →

Autumn Crocus Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Autumn Crocus →

When to Plant Autumn Crocus →

How to Plant Autumn Crocus →

Where to Plant Autumn Crocus →

Winter Care for Autumn Crocus →

Best Companion Plants for Autumn Crocus →

Is Autumn Crocus a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

Autumn Crocus can be propagated by division into new individual plants.

Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
Repot the parent plant back into its original pot

How to Propagate Autumn Crocus →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Autumn Crocus, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.