How to Grow and Care for Crocosmia Flowers

Crocosmia Flower Plant

About Growing Crocosmia Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

Crocosmia flowers are a popular and attractive flowering bulb. They are a hardy, low-maintenance plant that allows you to spend more time with more challenging plants. Native to South Africa, Crocosmia plans are members of the Iris family. Growing Crocosmia is easy. The plants grow vigorously two to four feet tall in a season. The showy, tube-shaped flower colors include red, yellow, orange-yellow, and orange with splotches. The flowers bloom late into summer, long after many bulbing plants have gone dormant. With over 400 cultivars, you have plenty of choice of color and plant habitat.

Crocosmia grows well in the flower garden and containers on patios or decks. Also, you can grow Crocosmia indoors. However, it can be a bit of a challenge, as it requires full sunlight. Without full sun, the plant grows lanky and may not bloom.

Crocosmia make good cut flowers.

Other Names: It is also known as Montbretia, Copper Tips, or Coppertips.

Flowers Bloom: Summer

Flower Colors: Colors include red, yellow, orange-yellow, and orange with splotches.

Plant height: 2 to 4 feet tall.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 5 – 10

Perennial

Did You Know? Hummingbirds like Crocosmia flowers. They also attract bees and butterflies.

Crocosmia Flower Plant Propagation

While you often hear people talk about Crocosmia “bulbs”, they are actually grown from corms. The corms are best planted in the fall for blooms the following spring.

Crocosmia can also be started from seeds. Plants seeds in seed trays, about 1/4″ deep, in seed starting soil. Seedlings can be transplanted outdoors in late spring. However, due to the long time it takes for seeds to sprout, home gardeners usually buy and plant corms. Also, plants grown from seed might not bloom until the second year after planting.

Crocosmia plants live 5-20 years. So, select a planting site these bright bloomers 0can call home for a long time. After three or four years, dig up and divide Crocosmia corms in the fall. Replant the corms, giving them more space to grow big and bright blooms next year.

Note: For indoor starts, we recommend using a heated germination mat, to increase the speed of germination. And it results in a higher germination rate.

Seeds Days to Germination: 28 – 56.

Bulb Planting Depth: Plant corms 3 to 4 inches deep.

Final Plant Spacing: Space plants 6 to 8 inches apart. 

How to Grow Crocosmia Flowers

Crocosmia plants are easy to grow. The plants prefer a dry, low-humidity environment. They grow best in full sun. And they need at least 6-8 hours of full sunlight in order to bloom. Plant in rich, loose garden soil. If the soil is heavy or doesn’t drain well, mix in a generous amount of sand. Plant corms 3 to 4 inches deep. Then, water them after planting, only if the soil is dry. Keep soil moist, not wet. Apply a fertilizer only if the soil is poor.

These vigorous plants will grow two to four feet tall and begin to produce flowers in the summer.

If growing Crocosmia in containers, select a large pot with drainage holes. Keep them well-watered.

For established plants, water them as needed. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Soggy soils can result in root rot. When grown in containers, be especially vigilant to soil moisture levels, as the containers can dry out quickly, impeding plant growth. 

In addition, established plants do not usually require much fertilizer, if any.  Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers. This can result in lush vegetation, but few or no blooms. 

 The stems of the plant are not very strong. We suggest using some form of plant support to avoid the plant and stem falling over. If sunlight is insufficient, plant support is essential.

After the plants have died back in the fall, they can be cut at the ground level. In cold areas, add a generous amount of mulch, to protect the corms from freezing. Or, in colder regions, dig them up and store them for replanting in the spring.

Ideal Soil pH: 5.8 – 6.8.

Why Crocosmia Do Not Bloom

Problems with blooming are uncommon. Here are the common reasons why Crocosmias fail to bloom and what to do about it:

Sunlight – The plant needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight to bloom. Tranplant them to a sunnier location, if need be.

Soil Fertility – Perform a soil fertility test. If phosphorous levels are low, add some. It is also important to keep nitrogen levels low.

Unhealthy Plants – Identify the issue(s) and take corrective action.

Insects and Plant Disease

You should experience few problems with your Crocosmia plants. Spider mites can be a problem in dry conditions. Use insecticide or fungicide, only if a problem occurs.

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