How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Freesia Flowers

Freesias are delightful little flowering plants that are popular in bridal bouquets. They are recognizable by their sweet fragrance, which I have always thought smelled a bit like the children’s cereal Froot Loops. The attractive, tubular flowers are popular with pollinators and can be grown indoors as well.

Only perennials in zones nine through ten, freesias are not frost tolerant. The corms or bulbs will not survive the winter in any climate where the ground freezes. However, they can be harvested in the fall, dried, and stored for the winter, then planted again when the ground thaws in spring. 

Freesia flowers are steeped in symbolism, which is another factor in their popularity in floral arrangements. The flower meanings include trust, thoughtfulness, innocence, and friendship. Their symbolism goes back to the Victorian Era when they were considered the ultimate flower of trust. Here is everything you need to know about growing gorgeous freesias in your garden!

What are Freesias?

Freesia is a genus of warm-weather flowering plants native to eastern southern Africa. The attractive trumpet-shaped flowers symbolize friendship and are popular amongst florists. The plants grow from corms and are only hardy over the winter in growing zones nine through ten.

History

Freesias were first described and named by Danish botanical collector Christian P. Ecklon in 1886, who named them after his friend Fredrick Freese. Freese was also a botanist and a medical practitioner. This friendly gesture is the reason that the flowers have come to be a symbol of friendship. 

Their popularity over time has grown from a charming symbol of friendship to a trendy flower among florists. They are also the inspiration for many cosmetic and personal care products and other scented products like candles. 

Native Area

Freesias are native to southern Africa, specifically the eastern side of the continent from Kenya to South Africa. The greatest distribution of species is found in Cape Provinces. 

Characteristics

These plants naturally begin their growing season in the fall, producing foliage over the winter and blooming in early spring. Freesias wither as the weather heats up and enter dormancy in the summer heat. In Zones nine through ten, the corms can be left in the garden year-round and will act as perennials. 

Freesias grow from corms, which are similar to bulbs. These underground food-storage structures are fibrous and store energy that helps the plant grow. The corms multiply and can be divided to produce more plants over time. 

Slender and lanceolate freesia leaves sprout in clusters at the base of the plant. Thin, delicate, leafless stems sprout from between the leaves, curving at the end with groups of five or more tube-shaped flowers along only one side. Many hybrid varieties have been cultivated for larger flower sizes and more potent fragrances. 

The flowers come in single or double-petal form and a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, red, cream, orange, pink, purple, lavender, and mauve, as well as one variety that is nearly blue. The fragrance of the flowers is described as fruity, powdery, and sweet.

Uses

Freesia plants are typically grown as garden ornamentals and for their value as cut flowers. They are exceptionally popular for use in bridal bouquets and wedding flowers because of their symbolism and pleasing aroma. The sweet scent is also used to perfume lotions, shampoos, candles, and other pleasant-smelling home or cosmetic items.

Where to Buy Freesias

Freesia corms are widely available in nurseries and other stores where bulbs and seeds can be found. For more exotic or unusual varieties, there are online retailers to order corms from. They are easy to grow from corms and are not commonly sold as nursery starts. 

Planting

In warm climates, fall is the ideal time to plant freesias. They will grow foliage over the winter and bloom early in spring. In climates that experience freezing weather, freesia corms should be planted in early spring, as soon as the ground thaws, for early summer blooms. Corms that are planted too late in the spring may result in spindly stems and short-lived flowers because they are exposed to too much heat. 

Choose a location that has excellent drainage, and loosen the soil to make it easier for the roots to develop. Freesias have long taproots that won’t develop as well in compacted or very dense soil. They prefer a sunny spot with some shelter from potentially damaging winds.

Planting corms in groups of five or six together will create an attractive cluster of grassy leaves and numerous flower stems. Plant your corms with the pointed side facing up, about one inch deep. Water them well after planting.

Freesias also grow well in containers, provided the pot has good drainage and is deep enough to accommodate the taproot. When planting in a container, water in your corms and then place the container in a shaded spot until shoots appear before moving them into the sun.

How to Grow

It takes about 100-120 days from the time corms are planted until the flowers bloom. Freesia flowers pair well with other garden flowers like gladiolus, scabiosa, cosmos, and dahlias. The stems of some varieties, particularly hybrids with larger flowers, may need to be supported to prevent them from flopping over. 

Water your freesias regularly, keeping the soil moist but not overly saturated to avoid root rot. Fertilizing should commence when shoots appear. In cooler climates, harvest the corms after the foliage dies back in the summer. Store them in a warm place to ripen, mimicking the summer conditions in their native environment. 

Light

Freesias grow best and sturdiest in cool weather. They can be grown in full sun or partial shade, depending on the climate. If you must plant your freesia corms later in the season, giving them some shade in the afternoon will prolong the life of the plant and result in stronger flowers, as this provides some protection from the heat of the sun.

If you plant your corms during the ideal planting time, plant them in a sunny spot for the best blooms. For potted freesias, partial sun is ideal, as they should be kept cool for as long as possible until they finish blooming. 

Water

Freesias like a moderate amount of moisture, and they don’t like to have wet feet. As long as your soil drains well, you should give them enough water so that they don’t dry out. Overwatering can result in foliage yellowing and wilting.

After planting and watering in your corms, water them sparingly until the plants sprout. Once they have sprouted, water more frequently, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Freesia corms are susceptible to rot if they are kept wet all the time. One inch of water per week is a good rule to follow when caring for these plants. 

Soil

Freesias require a substantial amount of nutrients, so they prefer soil that is sandy or gravelly with a good deal of compost or manure mixed in. In other words, choose a soil that is fertile but also has excellent drainage.

Heavy soil types, like compacted clay, should be amended and loosened to allow for better root development.

Temperature and Humidity

Freesias are dormant during the warmest months of the year. They are native to a warm climate, and in their native climate, they come out of dormancy in fall when temperatures drop. For the best growing season, foliage, and flowering, freesias should be planted when temperatures are going to remain under 70°F (21°C) until they bloom. 

At about 70°F (21°C), freesias will begin to enter dormancy and stop producing flowers. As much as they like cool weather, freesias and their corms are not frost tolerant, so they will die in winter if they experience freezing weather. Ideally, temperatures between 40-70°F (4-21°C) will keep your freesias happy and blooming.

In addition to mild temperatures, freesias like a moderate amount of humidity. A humidity level of 40-50% is ideal for these plants. In dry climates, it may be significantly more challenging to grow these plants. 

Fertilizing

Start fertilizing your freesias when they begin to form flower buds. Apply a liquid fertilizer that is high in potash. Potash is a group of minerals that provide a high level of potassium, which is represented by the K in the fertilizer formula N-P-K. 

A formula of 10-10-10 would have equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Choose a fertilizer with a higher third number in the formula, such as 10-10-20. Potassium helps the plant to develop and support blooming. Fertilize your freesias every two weeks once buds begin to form until the flowers fade. 

Freesia Maintenance

If you are growing in a cooler climate, the greatest amount of maintenance involved in growing freesias is storing them. The corms should be unearthed after the foliage dies back, washed, and allowed to dry before storing to avoid issues with mold and fungus. 

The bulbs need to ripen to produce flower buds, and they need a warm, humid environment for that to happen. Place your dried bulbs in paper bags and store them at a temperature of about 80°F (27°C) and 75-80% humidity. Leave them in this environment for 14-20 weeks, and then store them in a cooler space until you are ready to plant them.

Growing in Containers

Freesia plants grow well in containers and can even be grown indoors as you would grow paperwhites or amaryllis in winter. Choose a pot that is at least six inches deep, preferably deeper, to accommodate the taproot. 

Mix standard potting soil with some coarse sand or gravel to improve drainage. Plant your corms with the pointed side facing upward. Grow several corms in one pot for denser foliage and an abundance of blooms. Water in your corms, and set the pot in a shaded spot until the corms sprout, watering sparingly until that time. 

Once your freesias have sprouted, move them to a spot where they will get six or more hours of sun daily, and increase watering to once a week if they are indoors. For outdoor potted freesias, monitor the soil and water when the top inch is dry. Begin fertilizing with a high potassium formula as soon as buds begin to form, and repeat every 10-14 days.

Propagation

Freesias can be propagated by seed, but this typically results in plants that won’t bloom for two to three years. The more effective way to propagate these plants is to wait for the corms to produce small offsets. 

Propagate corm offsets in fall before the plants re-enter a growing phase. Lift your corms using a gardening fork, divide the corm offsets from the parent corms, and replant them. 

Popular Varieties

Here are some of the most colorful, fragrant, and vigorous cultivars of freesias.

‘Texas’

	botanical name Freesia ‘Texas’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10”-18”
	hardiness zones 9-10

You will love ‘Texas’ for its subtle citrus scent and abundant, dramatic, double-petaled flowers. This hybrid variety has stems that turn at a right angle just before the flowers, causing the flowers to point upwards toward the sun. This quality makes them very enticing to pollinators.

Everyone who visits your garden will remark upon these cheerful bits of sunshine. Yellow freesias represent friendship, happiness, and optimism and make a wonderful bouquet for anyone in need of some cheering up.

‘Virginia’

	botanical name Freesia ‘Virginia’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 7”-15”
	hardiness zones 9-10

White freesias are a symbol of purity and innocence, and this pure white, double-petaled variety often finds its way into bridal bouquets. Not only does this variety have large, intricate flowers, but they are also heavily fragranced as well. Each stem produces up to 10 flowers, and they bloom for quite a long time, so they have an excellent vase life.

‘Oberon’

	botanical name Freesia ‘Oberon’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12”-18”
	hardiness zones 9-10

Named for the fairy king from Greek mythology, ‘Oberon’ is royally gorgeous. With a scent as sweet as candy, and brightly colored blooms, this freesia will play a starring role in cutting gardens. The flowers are single petal form, and brilliant orange flowers with bright yellow throats are exceptionally eye-catching.

‘Honeymoon’

	botanical name Freesia ‘Honeymoon’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10”-20”
	hardiness zones 9-10

‘Honeymoon’ is a designer hybrid variety of freesia with ivory blooms that are softly accented with pale pinkish purple. These freesias have single-petal flower form and light green foliage. Perfect for weddings, engagement parties, or any romantic occasion, this is a flower of love. Pink freesias represent motherly love and romance.

Common Problems

Here are some common problems and solutions you may need when growing freesias.

Lack of Flowers

Freesias can tolerate partial shade, but if planted in too much shade, they will not bloom, and the plants will become scraggly and leggy. Too much heat will also stop your freesias from blooming, so make sure to plant them at the right time when they will have several months of cool temperatures. 

Wilting 

Wilting flowers are usually the result of over or underwatering. Freesias don’t like to have consistently wet roots, but they do like moisture, so underwatering is equally as detrimental as overwatering. Make sure your soil has good drainage and also retains enough moisture for the roots to absorb. 

Pests

A handful of pests may munch on your freesias, leaving unsightly damage to the foliage. They can drain the plant’s nutrients, causing few or unhealthy flowers. Aphids, thrips, spider mites, slugs, and snails are some of the pests that tend to damage these plants. Moles and voles are also known to eat the corms. 

Introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs into the garden helps to control insect populations. Try spraying aphids off with a strong jet from the hose. If chemical treatment is needed, try using neem oil, but be careful of affecting pollinator populations. Sprinkling diatomaceous earth around the base of plants will help with snails and slugs. 

Diseases

Iris leaf spot is an issue that can crop up in freesias growing in soil with poor drainage. Fusarium wilt can also be an issue that requires removing the plants, solarizing the soil, and not planting anything else in that space for a year. This is an incurable fungus that needs to be eliminated completely. 

Bacterial soft rot can also affect freesias. Waterborne bacteria find their way to your garden, and when infected water droplets splash on plants, they can result in dark spots that become mushy and spread. Limiting moisture around the foliage of your plants is helpful in avoiding this issue.

Frequently Asked Questions