Plant Rhizome

Freesia

Freesia

A corm. A swollen, solid stem base. No layers inside, just starchy tissue, with a papery tunic and buds on top.

Whole
Cut open
StoreCorm. Cut it in half: it is solid all the way through.
Depth5 cm to the base of the corm
Spacing5 cm apart
WhenPlant in spring. Plant: 4 weeks before up to your last spring frost. Work out your dates.
PetsNot on the ASPCA list: treat as unsafe to chew

About Freesia

Scented flowers from a small corm. Tender: grown in pots, or outdoors in mild areas.

Depth and spacing

Typical range: 5 cm deep and 5 cm apart. A general rule is to plant at two to three times the height of the corm; check the label for your variety. The drawing is to scale for 5 cm deep and 5 cm apart (the size of the organ is illustrative); try your own measurements.

0 cm2 cm4 cm6 cm8 cm10 cm12 cm14 cm16 cm18 cm5 cm apart5 cm

When to plant

Plant in spring. Plant: 4 weeks before up to your last spring frost. These are rules of thumb for the northern hemisphere. Enter your frost dates for real dates.

Dividing and propagating

Cormlets form beside the parent and are grown on until flowering size.

Lifting and storing

Lift after the foliage dies back and store dry; or grow in pots and let them rest dry.

Not on the ASPCA list

The ASPCA plant list has no entry we could match to this plant, so we cannot say it is safe. Keep pets from chewing it and digging up the corm, and ask your vet if in doubt. Search the ASPCA list.

More corms