About
Crocus candidus is a compact perennial corm that reaches a height of up to 8 cm. It typically develops one or two elongated, broad, dark green leaves featuring a delicate white stripe along the center. In early spring, this plant sends forth ivory-white flowers, often marked by subtle grey speckles on the outer petals.
About the genus
Crocus are small, deciduous perennials that emerge from corms. They feature narrow leaves, often marked with a silvery stripe down the center. The flowers, which can be fragrant, are goblet-shaped and appear in either autumn or early spring.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Up to 10 cm
- Spread
- 0-0.1 metre
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
- Toxicity
- Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in gritty, well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun. Requires a warm, dry rest in summer so best suited to an alpine house or bulb frame. See crocus cultivation for more advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by division of established clumps, by separating cormlets when dormant, or by seed sown in pots in a cold frame when ripe
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to rodents and birds
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free, corms may rot in storage