Bulb

When to Plant Crocuses

Among the very first flowers of spring, crocuses push through snow to signal winter's end. A tiny miracle every year.

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Low

Days to Harvest

120-150

Difficulty

beginner

Spacing

Frost Tolerance

very high

The Short Answer

Crocuses are planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost date. They need winter cold to trigger their spring bloom. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Crocuses

Crocuses are the earliest spring bulbs — pushing through frozen ground and sometimes through snow itself, they're the first proof that winter is ending. Plant in large groups (50+ corms) for visual impact; scattered singles disappear in the landscape. Naturalize in lawns by lifting a section of sod, planting corms 3 inches deep, and replacing the sod. Delay your first mowing until crocus foliage yellows (about 6 weeks after bloom). Species crocuses are smaller but more perennial than Dutch types. Saffron crocus (C. sativus) blooms in fall and produces the world's most expensive spice.

Fall Planting

Crocuses are planted in fall, 8 weeks before your average first frost date. Plant 3" deep, 3" apart.

Growing Tips

Plant in large drifts for maximum impact. They naturalize beautifully in lawns — just delay mowing until foliage yellows.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Daffodils Snowdrops

Crocuses Planting Dates by State

Click your state for crocuses planting dates specific to your location:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026