Colchicum Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 20th Nov 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Colchicum plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

At a Glance: Colchicum

Plant Characteristics: Colchicum has vibrant, cup-shaped flowers that bloom in autumn. They can help to add a splash of color to the garden when other plants are fading in the fall.
Ideal Growing Conditions: Use a well-drained soil located in a sunny to partially shaded part of the garden. Particularly suited to rock gardens and naturalized woodland settings.
General Care: Minimal care once established. Watering during dry spells in the summer should lead to vibrant autumn blooms.
Tips for New Gardeners: Autumn crocus is ideal for beginners as it has low maintenance needs. Simply plant bulbs in the summer at a depth three times their height. Be aware that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, so only plant them in areas where children and pets cannot access them.

Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, & Naked Ladies: Cultivation & Garden Use

Colchicum plants are grown as hardy bulbs. They have either crocus or water lily like pink flowers.

Depending upon the species of Colchicum plant, flowering can occur in spring, late summer, or autumn.

Some of the more common names for members of the Colchicum genus include Meadow saffron, Naked ladies, Naked boys, and Autumn crocus.

Colchicum autumnale
Colchicum autumnale by Dorocia.

Colchicum
Colchicum variegatum by Tejvan Pettinger.

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Colchicum Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, Naked Ladies, Naked Boys.
Life Cycle: Hardy bulb.
Height: One to four inches (3 to 10 cm).
Native: Europe, Mediterranean, Western Asia.
Family: Colchicaceae.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 9.
Flowers: Species dependent: Beginning of spring or late summer and/or autumn.
Flower Details: Pink, violet, purple, white. Crocus-like. Water lily-like.
Foliage: Produces rosette leaves following flowering. Dark Green.
Sow Outside: Usually grown from bulbs as seed grown plants will not bear flowers for about five or six years.
Colchicum Bulbs: 3 to 5 inches (8 to 12 cm). Late summer and early autumn.
Seeds: Surface 1/8 inch (3 mm). Late summer and early autumn. Germination time: one month to one year. Seeds should first be sown into flats, cover with layers of a compost and grit. Next sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Provide a glass/plastic covering. After one year transfer corms to a nursery bed with a spacing of about 12 inches (30 cm). Grow for a further two years, and then transfer to the garden towards the end of summer or early in autumn.
Sow Inside: No.
Requirements: Full sunlight or partial shade. Good drainage. Soil pH 5.5 to 6.5. Rich soil, light soil. Regular watering during dry periods. Leaves will wither in spring, allow to die completely then remove. Propagate: Cormels can be divided in the summer.

How to Grow Meadow Saffron, Autumn Crocus, and other Colchicum Plants

If growing Colchicum plants, then it is best to sow seeds (in flats, covered in compost, and a light layer of gravel; under glass) or bulbs outdoors in early autumn.

Seeds should be sown at a depth of 3 mm (1/8th inch). Whereas small bulbs should be planted about 8 cm (3 inches) deep and large bulbs 12 cm (5 inches) deep.

They should be located into a partially shaded or sunny ares of the garden. This should have a light but rich soil of pH 5.5 to 6.5.

The seedlings should be removed from the flats about a year after germination. And then transplanted to their final location with a spacing of about 20 cm (8 inches).

Caring for Colchicum in the Garden

It will take about four years for Meadow Saffron and other Colchicum members to first flower.

The plant dies back every year, but leaves should only be removed once they have completely withered and died.

Common Questions

How many members does the Colchicum genus have?

The Colchicum genus has around 160 species.

Do members of Colchicum make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Colchicum, with its vibrant autumn-blooming flowers, is a fantastic choice for gardens and landscapes needing a late-season burst of color.

Which Colchicum species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Commonly, gardeners grow Colchicum autumnale (Autumn crocus) due to its striking purple flowers that bloom in fall.

Are members of the Colchicum plant genus fragrant?

Most Colchicum species are not noted for their fragrance but are highly appreciated for their vibrant blooms.

What is the perfect location to grow Colchicum?

Colchicum prefers a sunny to partly shaded location with well-drained, rich soil.

Is Colchicum invasive in the USA?

At present, Colchicum is not classified as invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Colchicum plants from my garden?

Removal of Colchicum involves carefully digging up the corms, ensuring all parts are removed to prevent regrowth.

Summary

The Colchicum genus, part of the Colchicaceae family, is native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Also known as autumn crocus or meadow saffron, these perennial bulbous plants are recognized for their large, crocus-like flowers in white, pink, or purple that bloom in autumn.

To grow Colchicum, plant them in a sunny to partially shaded location with well-drained soil. They can be grown from bulbs planted in summer. Regular watering is necessary, but they are quite drought-tolerant once established. They are often used in borders, rock gardens, or under shrubs and trees for their autumn blooms.

I hope that you found this guide on how to grow Colchicum plants in your garden. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Sandersonia, Uvularia plant, and Bulbocodium plants.

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