{"product_id":"saffron-crocus-bulbs-crocus-sativus","title":"Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) Bulbs – Grow the World's Most Expensive Spice, Lilac Fall Blooms, Easy to Grow, Multiplies Yearly","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e5+ Bulbs\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eGrow the World's Most Expensive Spice at Home\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSaffron sells for more per ounce than gold, and the reason is simple: each thread comes from hand-harvesting the three tiny stigmas inside a single crocus flower. Saffron Crocus makes that math friendlier in a home garden, sending up lilac blooms each fall that you can harvest yourself, thread by thread, for a genuine homegrown supply of the world's most valuable spice. It's easier to grow than its reputation suggests, and established plantings multiply on their own year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Grows Saffron Crocus?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe home cook wanting a genuine homegrown supply of real saffron threads.\u003cbr\u003eThe fall-blooming bulb gardener wanting color and fragrance late in the flowering calendar.\u003cbr\u003eThe unusual crop enthusiast wanting to grow one of the world's most valuable spices firsthand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat This Fall-Blooming Spice Crop Actually Is\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eCrocus sativus\u003c\/em\u003e, commonly called saffron crocus, is a fall-blooming perennial grown from corms, the true source of culinary saffron, harvested from the three red-orange stigmas found inside each lilac-purple flower. Plants send up grass-like foliage and flowers in fall, considerably later than most spring-blooming crocus species, with each corm typically producing one to a few flowers per season. The stigmas are hand-picked from each bloom and dried to become the saffron threads used in cooking, a labor-intensive process that explains the spice's high market value, though a home planting easily supplies enough for personal use. Corms multiply underground over time, naturally increasing a planting's flower and saffron yield in subsequent years without replanting. Hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Garden \u0026amp; Kitchen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHomegrown saffron harvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-pick the red-orange stigmas from each fall bloom and dry for culinary saffron.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall-blooming bulb display:\u003c\/strong\u003e Enjoy the lilac flowers as a genuine late-season bloom when little else flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNaturalizing planting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Let corms multiply undisturbed for an increasing harvest in future years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCulinary use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use homegrown saffron threads in rice dishes, stews, baking, and other classic saffron recipes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGift-worthy harvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry and package homegrown saffron as a genuinely valuable homemade gift.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNaturalized meadow or border planting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tuck corms into a border or lawn area for fall color and harvest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Saffron Crocus Corms\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart method:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant corms directly in the ground; no indoor starting required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTiming:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant corms in late summer to early fall, 6 to 8 weeks before the first expected frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant corms 3 to 4 inches deep, pointed end up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Space corms 4 to 6 inches apart to allow room for natural multiplication over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained soil is essential; corms are prone to rot in wet or heavy ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate water at planting; established corms tolerate dry summer dormancy well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom time:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowers appear in fall, roughly 6 to 8 weeks after planting in the first year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick stigmas by hand from each flower as soon as it opens, then dry for storage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMultiplication:\u003c\/strong\u003e Corms multiply underground each year, increasing bloom and harvest without replanting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reliable to zone 6; a genuinely perennial bulb where winters allow it to persist.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBefore You Close This Page\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is the spice crop that turns a small patch of garden into a genuine saffron harvest, lilac fall blooms yielding the same red-orange threads that sell for a premium at the store. Saffron Crocus is easier to grow than its price tag suggests, multiplying on its own year after year once established. Hand-pick the stigmas each fall, dry them, and you have real, homegrown saffron for the kitchen. Grow the flower that turns into the world's most valuable spice.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Terra Mater Gardens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54483296125246,"sku":"11629","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/8836\/7166\/files\/candles-5899.png?v=1789959344","url":"https:\/\/www.terramatergardens.com\/products\/saffron-crocus-bulbs-crocus-sativus","provider":"Terra Mater Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}