Photo: Markus KriegerCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Autumn Crocus Plant Care
Colchicum autumnale L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's distinctive visual feature is its vibrant pink flowers that bloom in the fall before its leaves appear. Originating from Europe and western Asia, this plant is highly desirable to collectors for its unusual blooming time and stunning display of color in the garden.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–70°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Autumn Crocus?
Water Autumn Crocus every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–70°F (10–21°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Autumn Crocus Native To?
- Albania
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- The Netherlands
- Türkiye
- UAE
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Yemen
What Is the Autumn Crocus?
Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale) belongs to the Colchicaceae family within the Colchicum genus. Autumn Crocus is native to Europe, Western Asia. Autumn Crocus is also known as Meadow Saffron.
Autumn Crocus displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Autumn Crocus produces showy, cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
How Often Should You Water a Autumn Crocus?
Colchicum autumnale requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Autumn Crocus Need?
Autumn Crocus thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Autumn Crocus Prefer?
Colchicum autumnale grows best at temperatures of 50–70°F. Autumn Crocus prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–70°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Autumn Crocus?
Well-draining, sandy loam soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Autumn Crocus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Autumn Crocus?
Feed Autumn Crocus every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Autumn Crocus?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Autumn Crocus?
Autumn Crocus can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds.
Is the Autumn Crocus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Autumn Crocus?
Autumn Crocus is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, thrips. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Autumn Crocus Need?
Autumn Crocus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4 – 9. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Autumn Crocus is native to Europe, Western Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4 – 9
Keep exploring plants
Autumn Crocus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Colchicum genus — compare its care with other Colchicum species on PlantoScan.
Colchicum is part of the Colchicaceae plant family — browse all Colchicaceae genera and species.
Autumn Crocus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Colchicum autumnale L., family Colchicaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 341 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Autumn Crocus as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Markus Krieger, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4 – 9, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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