Description
Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus), known in Italian as Zafferano Sativus, is a beautiful Mediterranean flowering plant prized for its delicate lilac-purple flowers and valuable deep red stigmas. These vibrant red threads are harvested and dried to produce saffron, one of the world’s most sought-after culinary spices.
Widely used in Mediterranean cooking, saffron adds a distinctive golden colour, delicate aroma and rich flavour to risottos, rice dishes, soups, seafood and desserts. Its beautiful autumn flowers and compact growth make it an excellent choice for garden beds, terraces and containers.
🌱 Growing Instructions
☀️ Sunlight: Requires full sun, ideally 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Thrives in bright, sunny locations.
💧 Watering: Water moderately during autumn and winter growth, allowing the soil surface to dry between waterings. Keep the corms mostly dry during summer dormancy.
🌱 Soil: Plant in loose, sandy or gritty, well-draining soil. Avoid heavy, waterlogged conditions, which can cause corm rot.
🌡️ Temperature: Well adapted to Mediterranean climates. Cooler autumn temperatures encourage flowering, while hot, dry summers are suitable for its natural dormancy.
📏 Spacing: Allow approximately 10–15 cm between plants. When planting dormant corms, position them approximately 10–15 cm deep.
🌾 Fertilizer: Apply a light, balanced fertilizer or a small amount of mature compost during early autumn growth. Avoid excessive feeding.
✂️ Harvesting: Collect the three deep red stigmas from each flower as soon as it opens, generally during autumn. Dry the threads carefully before storing them in an airtight container away from light.
🌿 Local Growing Tips (Malta)
Best planting season: August to October for dormant corms, preferably before autumn flowering.
Position: Sunny garden beds, raised beds, rock gardens or deep containers with excellent drainage.
Companion plants: Thyme, oregano and other Mediterranean plants that prefer sunny, well-drained conditions.
Common issue: Excessive moisture during dormancy can cause corm rot. Allow the foliage to die back naturally in spring and reduce watering significantly during summer.
📦 Product Information
Variety: Zafferano Sativus (Saffron Crocus)
Botanical Name: Crocus sativus L.
Family: Iridaceae
Plant Type: Perennial Flowering Corm / Culinary Spice Plant
Quantity: 4 Plants per Tray
Growth Habit: Compact, Upright and Clump-Forming
Flowering Season: Autumn, typically October to November
Harvest Season: Autumn, during flowering
Special Characteristics: Beautiful lilac-purple flowers, valuable edible red stigmas, compact growth and a natural summer dormancy period.
Important Information
Pictures shown may vary from actual product due to the live nature of the items. Some items may be out of stock for various reasons, we will issue a refund or offer alternatives should that be the case.
The price is per one tray of 4 plants.
