When should I plant them?

Plant the corms in early to mid autumn before the ground freezes.

Do I need to dig them up in winter?

No, they are hardy and prefer to stay in the ground year round.

Plant guide

Early crocus.

Crocus tommasinianus

Pronounced KROH-kus tom-mah-sin-ee-AY-nus

Also known as Early Crocus, Tommasini's crocus, Woodland crocus

Woodland crocus — Photo by M. Whitson (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This charming little bulb is one of the first signs of spring in the garden. It naturalizes beautifully in lawns or under trees. You will love its delicate, star shaped flowers that pop up while snow is still on the ground.

Another photo of Early crocus — Photo by AnimalObserverDeniz321 (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial bulb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 to 4 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Plant these bulbs in the fall before the ground freezes. Watch for yellowing foliage after flowering, which indicates the bulb is storing energy for next year. Ensure the soil drains well so the bulbs do not rot during winter.

Watering: Keep the soil moist but not soggy during the active growing season.
Feeding: Apply a balanced bulb fertilizer once in the early spring as new growth appears.
Pruning: Wait until the foliage has turned completely yellow or brown before trimming it back.
Repotting: Divide and replant crowded clumps every few years to keep them blooming well.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -40 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

The pot is overcrowded with foliage.
Flowering performance declines over several years.

Safety

People: The plant contains alkaloids that can be harmful if ingested in large quantities.
Pets: This plant is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Eating it, especially the corms, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Children: Keep corms away from small children as they can be a choking hazard if swallowed.
Contact allergens: Handling the corms may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger mild allergic reactions in those sensitive to early spring blooms.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Slender, pale violet to purple petals
Silver gray exterior petal markings
Bright orange stamens
Grass like leaves with white midribs

Height: 0.05 to 0.1m
Spread: 0.05 to 0.08m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: lavender, purple, silver, 3 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

Crocus RotCommon
RodentsCommon
Bulb RotUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: autumn
Overwintering: Leave the corms in the ground. They are fully hardy and require no protection from cold.
In containers: They grow well in shallow pots or bulb pans, provided the drainage is excellent.

Division

1. Wait until the foliage has died back in late spring.
2. Carefully dig up the clump of corms.
3. Separate the small offsets from the main corm.
4. Replant the offsets immediately at the same depth.

Plant these in deciduous woodland areas where they can get full sun in early spring but shade later in the season.

Grows well with

Snowdrop · They bloom at the same time and share similar light requirements.
Winter Aconite · The yellow flowers provide a lovely contrast to the purple crocus.

Similar species

Spring Crocus · It is a larger, later blooming relative.

Science

Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Crocus
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Bulgaria, Hungary, and the former Yugoslavia.
Conservation: It is not currently threatened and is widely cultivated.

It thrives in open woodland and rocky slopes where it can take advantage of early spring sun before trees leaf out.

Value to wildlife: early season nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: rock gardens, naturalizing in lawns, woodland borders

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 3/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I plant them?: Plant the corms in early to mid autumn before the ground freezes.
Do I need to dig them up in winter?: No, they are hardy and prefer to stay in the ground year round.

Where the name comes from

The species name honors Muzio G. Spirito de Tommasini, an Italian botanist who studied the flora of the Dalmatian region.

Good to know

It is often called the Tommasini's crocus.
It naturalizes very easily in grass.
The flowers close up during cloudy weather.
It is highly resistant to deer and rabbits.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.