Saffron crocus for growing saffron
Our saffron crocuses are grown organically but are not officially certified organic. The grower uses biodynamic cultivation methods, agroforestry, and permaculture, without using synthetic pesticides. The grower prioritizes the well-being of soil life.

Saffron's flavor changes every year, and that's because, as they so aptly put it, "terroir." Simply put: the same white grape produces a different white wine in the Vosges than in the Pyrenees. The bulbs will therefore adapt to the soil life and likely also to the existing bacterial dominance.

About saffron
Saffron is a well-known and widely used spice in cooking, ideal for dishes like rice pudding and risotto. It's also called "red gold" because of its high price: you pay around €30,000 per kilo! This is because saffron is nothing more than the style and stigma of the saffron crocus ( Crocus sativus ).

Our bulbs are type 10+, meaning they're extra large and produce yields in the first year. Smaller bulbs on the market don't start flowering until their second or third year.

Growing guide
The saffron crocus is an autumn bloomer and grows best in poor, well-drained soil. Plant the bulbs 15 cm apart and 15 cm deep, between mid-August and mid-September, in a sunny spot. The crocus will then bloom around mid-October, the ideal time to harvest the flowers. Note! Harvest the entire flower, not just the saffron. Cut the flower as close to the ground as possible to encourage the bulb to bloom again in the same season. Saffron consists of the female flower parts (the stigmas) of the crocus (colored orange). Dry these stigmas in the oven at 40-50°C (104-122°F) until they are slightly crispy. You can also dry them on a radiator, although this takes a little longer.

After flowering, only leaves remain. It's important not to cut these leaves away, as they allow the plant to continue photosynthesizing, which is crucial for the following year. Around May, the plant begins to visibly die back; from then on, you can cut back the leaves. However, it's better to let them die back completely and not to prune them. The bulbs don't need to be dug up; they will begin growing again in late August and bloom again in October.

The saffron crocus reproduces vegetatively: one bulb produces several bulbs each year. The crocus burrows deeper into the ground each year. After four years, you should dig up the bulbs and replant them (15 cm deep and 15 cm apart). Make sure the plot remains weed-free!