Red Gold in the Garden

If you’ve ever dreamed of harvesting your own red gold, planting saffron crocus, Crocus sativus, might just be your kind of garden adventure. This autumn-blooming beauty is not only gorgeous, but it also produces the world’s most luxurious spice. Yes, we’re talking about that saffron. Don’t let its reputation for rarity intimidate you; saffron crocus is surprisingly easy to grow and brings a whole new level of excitement to the fall garden.

Each bulb (technically a corm) sends up slender, grassy foliage about four to eight weeks after planting. Flowers may begin to emerge around this time, but newly planted corms don’t always bloom their first fall. In some cases, the first harvest won’t occur until the following year. When they bloom, you can expect two to four striking purple flowers, each with three vivid red stigmas. Yes, those little red threads are your saffron!

In the morning when blooms are fresh, gently pluck the three red stigmas from each fully opened flower. Collect them in a clean container, then air dry them thoroughly before storing for culinary use. You will know the threads are ready to store when they feel dry and brittle. When crushed, they should give off a strong, sweet-earthy aroma. Properly dried saffron can be stored for one to two years. 

With just a small patch, you can harvest enough to flavor risottos, teas, or even homemade saffron buns. The process of gathering those tiny threads is meditative and deeply satisfying, adding a fun treasure hunt to your gardening tasks.

Growing saffron crocus turns an ordinary fall garden into a treasure hunt of color, fragrance, and flavor. Whether you’re a chef, a flower lover, or a plant nerd, we encourage you to try growing saffron crocus to discover this fun and fragrant experience.