Growing saffron at homeHow to Plant Saffron – Expert Tips for Growing and Harvesting Saffron

Growing saffron at home

With our step-by-step guide on how to plant saffron, bring this vibrant and beloved spice into your garden and kitchen.

How to Plant Saffron

Growing saffron at home

Not sure how to grow saffron? Our expert guide on planting and harvesting saffron will help you easily cultivate this aromatic spice.

Saffron is a valuable and popular spice that has been around for centuries. It comes from a flower called Crocus sativus, also known as the “saffron crocus.” This beautiful purple flower produces bright red threads, known as stigmas, which are what make saffron a spice.

Saffron can only be harvested by hand in the fall during a short period of time. Each flower produces only a very small amount of spice, which is why saffron is one of the most sought-after and expensive spices in the world.

In this guide, we will walk you through how to grow saffron at home and answer some of the most common questions about this unique and valuable spice.

How to Grow Saffron at Home

Growing saffron at home

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide on how to plant saffron:

  • Buy saffron corms: To grow saffron at home, you’ll need to purchase saffron corms. The more you have, the more saffron you can harvest.
  • Plant them in late summer: Plant the corms in well-drained soil in your garden or in a pot or cool greenhouse. If planting in a garden, saffron plants make great border plants or can be planted in clusters in flower beds or rock gardens.
  • Plant in small clusters: Place the corms about 5 cm deep and 5 to 10 cm apart.
  • Ensure good sunlight: Make sure the soil gets plenty of sunlight and does not become waterlogged.
  • Flowering and harvesting: The flowers will bloom in the fall before the leaves. The bright red threads (stigmas) should be quickly picked and dried. Unfortunately, the flowers only last for a day. Use tweezers to carefully remove the threads. Each flower produces only three threads.
  • Dry the threads: Let the threads dry for a few days on a paper towel indoors, then store them in an airtight container in a dry, warm place. You can then crush the threads into powder and use it in many dishes.
  • After flowering: Once the plants have finished flowering, allow them to naturally die off, and prune them once they turn yellow.

Is Growing Saffron Easy?

If you have the right growing conditions, saffron is relatively easy to cultivate. Once the corms are planted, the plants require minimal attention. Just remember to pick the precious threads as soon as the flowers bloom.

Where Does Saffron Grow Best?

Saffron thrives in areas with well-drained soil and plenty of direct sunlight. Ensure the soil does not become waterlogged, as this can hinder plant growth.

How Fast Does Saffron Grow?

Your corms should be planted in late summer, and the saffron threads will be harvested in the fall. The flowers can bloom as soon as four weeks after planting, but generally, it takes between six and ten weeks.

How Much Saffron Can You Harvest From One Plant?

The reason saffron is so expensive is that each flower produces only a small amount of spice. Approximately fifty flowers yield one teaspoon of saffron. So the more flowers you have, the more saffron you can harvest!

The good news is that only a small amount of saffron can have a big impact. The spice has a strong flavor, so just a little goes a long way in adding taste to your dishes.