Planting Freesia Bulbs in Zone 9 and 10

Freesias are magically fragrant flowers often found in small pots at big-box stores or in spring flower arrangements. Did you know Freesia bulbs are very easy to grow in Zones 9 and 10? In fact, you can plant them once and enjoy their beauty year after year!

When to Plant Freesia Bulbs in Zone 9 and 10

Freesias, like ranunculus, thrive in the cool season for establishment. The bulbs are best planted in the fall in Zones 9 and 10. If your area experiences frost, consider covering them with row covers, as they are not frost-hardy. During the cool season, you’ll see the growth of small, thin leaves that should be exposed to full sun to gather as much energy as possible for their future blooms. This vegetative stage before blooming is crucial for producing quality flowers. Water your freesia bulbs regularly and provide a light feeding of liquid fertilizer, such as our Fish and Guano.

Some common mistakes gardeners make with freesias include insufficient watering in our hot climate or allowing bulbs to rot by planting them directly in poorly drained soil. Since freesia bulbs can be pricey and are easily saved year after year, we recommend planting them in high-quality mix in your favorite pots, making it easier to dig them up and store them.

Once your freesia bulbs have produced ample vegetative material and flower stalks, it’s time to fertilize with a bloom fertilizer to ensure your blooms are as vibrant as possible.

Cutting and Enjoying your Freesia flowers

Perhaps the hardest part of growing freesia bulbs is harvesting all the blooms! You’ll be amazed at how many flowers your plants produce. Be sure to harvest them early in the morning and cut the stems “deep,” meaning you should cut down to the base of the plant rather than leaving any stem behind. This practice will yield the longest and best blooms while also encouraging the plant to regenerate more flowers!

End of Season Care

At the end of the season, typically around mid-summer (or longer if you are on the coast), it’s time to let the plant die back. You can continue to water them if there are green leaves remaining, as the plants will store energy for next season, but don’t expect any more blooms that year. Your freesia bulbs can be dug up and stored for the following season.