Can freesias be grown indoors?

Freesia plants are from South Africa where they experience high heat and no freezing, which makes them perfect to grow indoors. Provided you have a good southern facing window, you can enjoy forced freesia at any time of the year.

What month do you plant freesia bulbs?

Plant 5cm (2in) deep in April, in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Site in a sunny, sheltered spot with twiggy sticks or wire for support. Unprepared corms: Available late summer for planting outdoors in August or September.

Do freesia flowers come back every year?

In your gardening region they will bloom in the spring if you leave the corms in the ground all year around. When your Freesias have finished blooming the foliage will die down. The bulbs need a period of rest before they will be able to perform again.

Will freesia bulbs multiply?

Freesia plants are grown from bulbs. Over the course of a few years, they will multiply rapidly, forming dense clumps, or masses. It is best to dig up the bulbs, and separate them every 2-3 years. Freesia can also be grown from seeds.

Are freesias difficult to grow?

Freesias are versatile and can be grown in pots indoors or outdoors, or in the ground. Freesias aren’t frost-hardy so can only be planted outdoors in spring or early summer. Well-drained soil or potting compost is essential as freesias are likely to rot in heavy or waterlogged soil.

Should I soak freesia bulbs before planting?

Freesias should be planted in an area with full sunlight. Shane Smith, author of the 2000 book “Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion,” says you can store the corms in your refrigerator for three or four weeks before planting them. Soaking them in water for about half an hour can also be beneficial.

Can you plant bulbs any time of the year?

Ideally, bulbs should be planted at least six weeks before hard, ground-freezing frost can be expected in your area. In warmer climates you may need to plant bulbs in December (or even later). If you miss planting your bulbs at the optimal time, don’t wait for spring or next fall.

Do freesias flower more than once?

Bulbs always pop up in the spring, and with every year they spread and there will be more and more of them. When do potted freesias bloom? I would expect the freesias to bloom 10-12 weeks after they are planted. They only bloom once, if they are indoors.

Why are my freesias not growing?

Freesias won’t bloom if they’re planted in the shade. They need full sun to thrive and have a long blooming season. That said, freesias do need soil that drains well. They need a lot of water, and if it sits around their bulbs and roots it will cause them to rot.

Can freesias grow in shade?

Freesias are versatile and can be grown in pots indoors or outdoors, or in the ground. Once planted, water well and then stand the pot in a cool, shaded, frost free place – a temperature of around 5°C is ideal.

What happens if you plant bulbs too late?

If you miss planting your bulbs at the optimal time, don’t wait for spring or next fall. Bulbs aren’t like seeds. They won’t survive out of the ground indefinitely. Even if you find an unplanted sack of tulips or daffodils in January or February, plant them and take your chances.

What happens if you don’t plant bulbs deep enough?

To plant flower bulbs too shallow can expose them to damaging temperature spiking. Planting flower bulbs too close together can cause root systems to strangle each other or cause them to dehydrate or starve due to limited water and nutrition.

What do you need to know about growing freesias?

Once the foliage emerges, water the growing freesia plants often to keep the soil moist. Freesias need an abundance of moisture during the entire growing season, but you should allow the soil to dry out once the flowers fade.

When to plant Freesia bulbs in the UK?

To grow freesias in indoor pots for early summer flowering, plant from January to March under cover. To grow outdoors, plant from April to June. Plant freesia corms in well-drained soil or potting compost pointy-end up, at a depth of 3-5cm, and spaced 5cm apart.

What’s the best way to water a freesia plant?

Water freesias in the morning, so the planting bed has time to dry out before nightfall. If water sits around the plants all night, mold could begin to grow. Water around the base of freesias, rather than spraying it over the leaves and blooms, so that the plants don’t get cooked in strong sun. Wait until the foliage is yellow to remove it.

What’s the best way to grow Freesia Yates?

They’re easy to grow and require little maintenance once established. Great as a mass planting to create a scented garden in spring, around rockeries, under trees or in pots scattered around the yard or balcony. Choose a well drained spot in the garden that receives full sun or part shade.