Freesia is a popular flower known for its sweet fragrance and colorful blooms. While freesias are native to Africa, they can be successfully grown in California with proper care and timing. In this article, we’ll discuss the best times and techniques for planting freesia bulbs in California.
Climate Considerations
Freesia bulbs require full sun and warm soil to thrive. They do best in inland and coastal California, where the weather is mild and summers are dry. The best planting zones are 9–11.
In most parts of California, freesias can be planted in fall or early winter. This allows them to establish roots before the cool winter months. Bulbs planted too late in winter may not bloom well come spring.
The Central Valley and other hot inland areas should aim to plant freesia bulbs in October or November The cooler coastal areas can plant a bit later from November to December Just avoid planting during the rainy season or when nighttime temperatures drop below 40°F.
Preparing the Soil
Well-drained soil is essential for freesia bulbs. Heavy clay or compacted soils can lead to bulb rot. Before planting, work some compost or organic matter into the top 6 inches of soil to lighten and enrich it.
You can also mix in a general purpose fertilizer when preparing the soil. This gives the bulbs an extra nutrient boost for several weeks after planting. Just don’t overdo the fertilizer as this may burn the bulb roots.
Planting Depth and Spacing
Freesia bulbs should be planted quite shallow, only 2-3 inches deep and with the pointed end up. Place the bulbs 4-6 inches apart to allow for airflow and growth.
A nice display can be made by planting bulbs in groups of three to five. Just leave 6-8 inches between each cluster.
Watering Needs
After planting, water the bulbs well to settle the soil. Then avoid watering again until the first sprouts emerge. This encourages the bulbs to put down roots before focusing energy on leaves and flowers.
Once sprouted, freesias need about 1 inch of water per week. Water at the base of the plants and avoid getting the leaves and flowers wet. Reduce watering once the blooms fade to help the bulbs go dormant.
Ongoing Care
Add a 2-inch thick mulch layer around the plants to retain moisture and prevent weeds. Stir the soil lightly every few weeks to improve drainage.
Stake taller varieties if needed to prevent toppling. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering.
Let the leaves die back naturally after flowering. Cut them off when they turn brown, but leave the bulbs in place. The bulbs need time to recharge before being dug up.
For freesias to bloom and smell sweet, they need to be in the right environment and be well taken care of. Just make sure you plant at the right time for your area of California—in the fall or early winter.
Where to Plant Freesia
Give your Freesia a spot where it will receive full sun for at least eight hours every day. Freesias need full sun to flourish and have a long blooming season.
- For outdoor landscaping planting, choose a spot with well-draining soil. If you see puddles of water 5–6 hours after it has rained hard, look for a different spot or add organic matter to the soil like compost, ground bark, or animal manure that has broken down.
- If you want to plant things outside in a pot, barrel, tub, or urn, make sure it has enough drain holes.
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How to Plant and Grow Freesia Bulbs
FAQ
What month do you plant freesia bulbs in California?
| Name | Type | Planting Time |
|---|---|---|
| Freesia | corm | Sept-Nov |
| Gladiolus | corm | Feb-Apr |
| Hippeastrum (giant amaryllis) | bulb | Oct-Feb |
| Hyacinth | bulb | Nov-Dec |
Will freesia come back every year?
Freesias will come back every year if you live in an area where you get a hard frost every year. It would be wise to take the bulbs out of the ground to overwinter, since they don’t grow very high, plant them in front of taller flowers like daffodils and paperwhites.
Do I need to soak freesia bulbs before planting?
Plant freesia bulbs in groups—two inches deep, and with two inches of spacing. They should be planted with the corms pointed end up. Most gardeners don’t need to soak freesia bulbs for at least 30 minutes before planting them, but some do.
Where is the best place to plant freesia?
1. Select The Right SiteFreesias grow best in full sun or light shade in moist, well-drained soils. Freesias are tender perennials, winter hardy in growing zones 9-10, and grown as annuals elsewhere. Freesias grow best with cool daytime temperatures (60-70°F or 15-21°C) and slightly cooler nights.