Autumn crocus (Colchicum byzantinum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Autumn crocus on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Colchicaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Autumn crocus
Colchicum byzantinum, commonly known as Byzantine Colchicum, is a perennial bulbous plant that blooms in autumn, often before its leaves appear. Its large, lilac-pink to purple, cup-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers emerge directly from the ground without an apparent stem. It is ideal for rock gardens, path borders, or naturalized in lawns, where its late blooming adds a splash of color when most other plants have finished their cycle.
Native range
Turkey
Care tips
It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Watering should be moderate during flowering and leaf growth in spring, drastically reducing or suspending it during summer when the bulb is dormant. A common mistake is planting it in heavy, poorly drained soils, which can lead to bulb rot. It is important to remember that all parts of the plant are toxic.
How to save a dying Autumn crocus
- Warning signs
- Wilted or yellowing leaves, weak/absent flowering, soft/rotting bulb.
- First aid
- Remove bulb, check for rot. If present, clean and dry. Relocate to semi-shade and good drainage.
- What kills it
- Overwatering in summer (dormancy) and poor drainage. Doesn't need water without leaves.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if the bulb isn't completely rotted. Dormancy is key for recovery.