Crocosmia Plant Care Tips: How to Grow Crocosmias

Crocosmias are flowering plants and members of the iris family. As native plants of South Africa, crocosmias thrive in dry, temperate climates. Sometimes compared to the colorful gladiolus flower, crocosmia bloomers are distinguished for their perennial growth. Crocosmia corms are another distinguishing feature. The corms are underground storage organs that contain an embryo allowing crocosmias to sprout. Corms will eventually naturalize, or produce offsets.

Crocosmias—also known as coppertips and montbretia—are relatively low-maintenance additions to flower beds and container gardens. When their late-summer bloom time arrives, crocosmias display vivid red, deep orange, and yellow flowers. Crocosmias make excellent cut flowers for flower arrangements and attractive additions to ornamental grasses. Crocosmias are also good for drawing pollinators like hummingbirds to your garden. However, crocosmia is mildly toxic to cats and dogs, and consumption of the plants may cause stomach upset.

There are many different cultivars of crocosmia to choose from. Consider these six popular varieties of crocosmia.

1. 1. ‘Lucifer’: The ‘Lucifer’ (Crocosmia x Curtonus) cultivar grows up to four feet tall and displays clumps of crimson flowers.
2. 2. ‘Ember Glow’: The ‘Ember Glow’ (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora) cultivar has showy scarlet flowers with delicate golden throats.
3. 3. ‘Emily McKenzie’: ‘Emily McKenzie’ (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora) reaches up to three feet tall and displays fiery orange blossoms. It may also be referred to as ‘Lady Hamilton’ or ‘Lady McKenzie.’
4. 4. ‘George Davison’: The ‘George Davison’ (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora) cultivar also grows to about three feet in height and blooms in buttery yellow shades.
5. 5. ‘Falling Stars’: The ‘Falling Stars’ (Crocosmia aurea) cultivar has orangey blooms that make good cut flowers for vases.
6. 6. ‘Solfatare’: ‘Solfatare’ (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora) is a short variety of crocosmia, standing at about twenty-eight inches tall and displaying spiky apricot-colored blooms.

Plant crocosmias outdoors in your garden or in container pots for your patio. Consider these general steps for planting crocosmias.

1. 1. Plant crocosmias in USDA zones five through nine. Crocosmias are relatively heat-tolerant, but they do best in temperate climates, or USDA hardiness zones five through nine.
2. 2. Plant crocosmias in the spring. Crocosmia will grow well from corms if you plant them in mid-spring when the weather starts to warm up. While you might hear the corms referred to as crocosmia bulbs, the corms are in fact slightly different.
3. 3. Arrange crocosmias in groups of twelve. For the best results, plant crocosmias in clusters of a dozen or more.
4. 4. Space your crocosmia plants appropriately. Allow six to eight inches between your crocosmia corms and other plants in your garden. Plant the corms up to five inches deep to provide the stalks with proper support.
5. 5. Choose a sunny location. Crocosmias need full sunlight to thrive. Some afternoon shade is fine, but for the best results, plant your bulbs in the sunniest spot available.

Growing and caring for crocosmias is relatively simple with a few helpful tips.

1. 1. Light: Crocosmias thrive in full sun and tolerate partial shade.
2. 2. Temperature: Dry climates with mild temperatures are ideal for crocosmias.
3. 3. Soil: Choose a light, well-draining soil for your crocosmias. Add a layer of mulch around the base of your plants to retain moisture if the weather becomes especially hot and dry.
4. 4. Watering: Water your crocosmias when the top layer of soil is dry. Avoid overwatering your plants as this can cause root rot.
5. 5. Fertilizing: Fertilizer is not recommended for crocosmia plants. Fertilizing could damage your crocosmia flowers by causing foliage overgrowth.
6. 6. Pests: In addition to being rabbit resistant, crocosmias are relatively resistant to pests. Spider mites are the main pest affecting crocosmia plants. Neem oil can help remove spider mites if an infestation occurs.

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