In this post, we’re diving into everything you need to know about crocus seeds. How do these early spring favorites actually spread? What do you need to keep in mind when mowing your lawn? Can you harvest the seeds yourself—and are they safe for your pets? Let’s dig in and find the answers.
A Fascinating Way to Grow
The way a crocus produces seeds is actually pretty unique in the botanical world. Believe it or not, the ovary actually develops underground! Here’s a quick look at how the magic happens:
- An insect pollinates the flower.
- The ovary begins to form beneath the soil surface.
- As it matures, the ovary pushes its way up above ground.
- The crocus opens its seed pods.
- The wind catches the seeds and carries them to new spots.
Let Nature Do the Work: Self-Seeding
We’ve all seen those stunning carpets of crocuses that take over yards in the spring. The best part? They don’t require much work at all because they are excellent self-seeders. However, you do need to give them a little space to do their thing. To make sure they multiply, don’t deadhead the wilted flowers. You’ll also want to hold off on mowing the lawn until the crocus foliage has completely died back and retreated into the ground.
Pro Tip: Sometimes gardeners try to mow their lawn early specifically to stop crocuses from spreading, only to find an even bigger carpet of flowers the following year! If that happens, it’s likely because the crocus seeds were already mixed into store-bought compost. Because of how compost is processed, these little “hitchhikers” are often unavoidable.
Growing Crocuses from Seed
Since crocuses are so good at spreading on their own, you usually don’t need to propagate them by hand if you already have some in your yard. But if you’re starting from scratch, make sure to buy high-quality seeds from a reputable nursery. Keep in mind that many highly bred nursery cultivars are pre-treated and might not self-seed as easily as wild varieties. If you want that natural “carpet” look, go for wild crocus species.
To plant them yourself, simply snip off a mature seed pod and scatter the seeds exactly where you want them to grow.
Don’t Forget the Chill Factor
If you’re planning to start your seeds indoors, you can’t skip “stratification.” Without a period of cold, these plants simply won’t bloom. To mimic winter, keep your seeds in the refrigerator for a few weeks before planting. Of course, if you plant them directly outside in the fall, Mother Nature will take care of the chilling process for you!
