When to plant Crocosmia in the UK

Crocosmia spp.

Crocosmia
Crocosmia · Crocosmia spp.

Hardy perennial grown from corms in UK borders. Plant in moist but free-draining soil in sun or light shade, water well after planting, and leave the clump to settle before lifting and dividing every few years.

90 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden
Plant out March to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Plant Corms

    late March to mid-April UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant corms during late March to mid-April, deep and apart, in firm, well-drained soil. Water in thoroughly straight after planting.

  2. 02

    Water to Establish

    early March to late May UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Keep the soil evenly moist for the first early March to late May while the corms root in. Give a deep soak in dry spells, then ease off once new growth is strong and the clump is settled.

  3. 03

    Deadhead Spent Stems

    mid-June to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    From mid-June, remove faded flower stems as they finish to keep the plant tidy and encourage a longer display. Cut each stem back to the base once the last flowers on it have gone over.

  4. 04

    Cut Back Old Growth

    late October to late November UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    After hard frost has blackened the leaves, cut the faded foliage to the base during late October to late November. Leave any green leaves in place until they die back naturally, because they are feeding next year's growth.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Crocosmia.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Crocosmia to consider

Lucifer

A widely grown crocosmia with bright red flowers and good garden vigour.

Emily McKenzie

Compact, free-flowering with orange blooms marked darker at the centre.

George Davidson

A reliable yellow-flowered cultivar that works well in mixed borders.

Star of the East

Orange-yellow flowers on arching stems, useful for a naturalistic look.