Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY-SA 3.0
garden
Gladiolus
Gladiolus
Edible
Overview
Dramatic sword-like flower spikes that open from bottom to top in nearly every color of the rainbow, gladiolus are named from the Latin word for sword. These summer-blooming corms produce some of the tallest and most showy cut flowers available to home gardeners. In parts of Africa, gladiolus corms are a traditional food source, roasted or ground into flour.
Growing Conditions
LightFull Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones8 — 12
Height0.9m
Spread0.77m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH6 — 7
Soil TypeRich, well-drained, sandy loam
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | May — Jun | Plant corms 4-6" deep after last frost; succession plant every 2 weeks for continuous bloom |
| Cold (1-2) | Bloom | Jul — Sep | Harvest when lowest 2-3 florets open; dig corms before frost and store dry |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Apr — Jun | Plant corms in spring; stagger plantings every 2 weeks |
| Cool (3-4) | Bloom | Jul — Sep | Summer bloom; dig corms in fall; cure 2 weeks; store at 35-45°F |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Mar — May | Plant in spring; stake tall stems; excellent cut flower |
| Moderate (5-7) | Bloom | Jun — Sep | Long bloom season from staggered plantings |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Feb — Apr | Plant in late winter/spring; corms perennialize in zones 8+ |
| Warm (8-9) | Bloom | Apr — Jul | Spring/summer bloom; leave corms in ground year-round |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Jan — Mar | Plant in winter/spring; perennial in zones 8-11 |
| Hot (10+) | Bloom | Mar — Jun | Spring bloom; perennial in hot zones |
Uses
Culinary
- Corms roasted or boiled as a starchy food in Africa
Other Uses
- Premier tall cut flower for dramatic bouquets
- Succession planting provides months of cut flowers
- Exhibition and competition flower culture
