KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0
garden
Saffron crocus
Overview
The source of saffron, the world's most expensive spice by weight — each crocus produces just three tiny red stigmas that must be hand-harvested and dried. It takes about 150,000 flowers to produce a single kilogram of saffron, explaining its legendary price. Unlike spring crocus, saffron crocus blooms in fall, pushing up its lavender flowers in October and November.
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH6 — 8
Soil TypeWell-drained, calcareous, sandy or loamy soil
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | Aug — Sep | Plant corms 4" deep in late summer; full sun; blooms in FALL, not spring |
| Cold (1-2) | Bloom | Oct — Oct | Lavender flowers with red stigmas; pick stigmas morning of bloom day |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Aug — Sep | Plant corms in late summer; well-drained soil; needs dry summer dormancy |
| Cool (3-4) | Bloom | Oct — Nov | Pick 3 red stigmas per flower; dry immediately; 150 flowers = 1 gram saffron |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Sep — Oct | Plant in early fall; multiplies each year; divide every 3-4 years |
| Moderate (5-7) | Bloom | Oct — Nov | Fall bloom; harvest stigmas with tweezers; most expensive spice by weight |
| Moderate (5-7) | Divide | Jun — Jul | Dig and divide corms during summer dormancy; replant immediately |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Sep — Oct | Plant in fall; needs some winter chill to bloom; raised beds for drainage |
| Warm (8-9) | Bloom | Nov — Dec | Late fall bloom; protect from heavy rain during flowering |
Uses
Culinary
- Saffron — the world's most expensive and prized spice
- Essential in paella, risotto Milanese, and bouillabaisse
- Used in Indian, Persian, and Moroccan sweets and rice dishes
Medicinal
- Studied for antidepressant properties comparable to some medications
- Carotenoids (crocin) support eye health
- Traditional tonic for mood and vitality
Other Uses
- Fall-blooming ornamental garden crocus
- Specialty crop for small-scale farmers
