Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
OF ALL THE FRAGRANT HOUSEPLANTS WE CAN GROW, none afford a lovelier air than Freesia lacteal. Three pots of F. ‘Double Pink’ started to bloom for me just this morning, and I can tell you the honey-and-ripe-plum bouquet is intoxicating. In fact, I’d say it’s a scent that makes life worth living.
It is fortunate that Freesia’s magic isn’t short-lived. While the flowering stalks tend to emerge all at once, the individual blossoms open one at a time, over a long and luxurious course that lasts from mid February through at least the end of March.
Lucky too is the fact that Freesia’s beauty and scent are so easily achieved. Just follow my nifty freesia forcing guide. Then, when the flowering stalks appear, provide abundant water for the thirsty roots. Lately, mine require water daily.
I don’t fertilize the bulbs because I never try to carry them over a second year. Instead, I plant a new variety each autumn. Last year ‘Single Pink,’ pictured above, provided perfume here well into April.
If you joined me in planting freesia last fall, do let me know if you are swimming in perfume right now. And if you forgot to plant a bunch of these easy bulbs, will you at least consider doing so next fall? Believe me, the pleasure this tropical traveler will give you in winter is hefty indeed.
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Related Posts:
The Window Garden in February
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How to Force Freesia for Indoor Fragrance
Forcing Bulbs in Pebbles & Water
The Fragrant, Fruiting Meyer Lemon
Yolanda says
I love, love, LOVE freesia! Do you think I could force it now?
Sheila says
Your house must smell heavenly with all the hyacinths…and now you have freesia, too!
Gregory says
Thanks to you, Kevin, I planted freesia (double yellow) last fall. They started blooming last week, and smell TERRIFIC! Only problem: I didn't stake the bulbs when I planted them. Now the leaves have fallen over the side of the pot, and the flowers are dangling precariously. But I'm overlooking the ugliness and savoring the aroma.
Next year I'll stake at planting time.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Yolanda – yes, you can plant freesia bulbs now. Just keep in mind they will take about 90 days from planting to bloom.
Sheila – my house becomes more fragrant with passing day in February, as more and more scented bulbs come into bloom.
Gregory – So glad you bit the bullet and planted freesia. I'll have to try the double yellow next autumn. And trust me…I learned the hard way, too, about staking the bulbs at planting time!
Dana says
Kevin – Splendid blooms, great job! Where did you buy your freesia bulbs from? The flowers seem so strong and healthy.
I am happy to report that my freesia ignored the brown spots I wrote to you about (thanks again for your great advice), grew up to about 2.5 ft high, and they are sporting now flowering stems with buds. No blooms yet (I planted them only in December), but hopefully they will appear soon. I am still apprehensive of overwatering them. Are you sure it will be safe to water them daily now?
This is my first time planting freesia (encouraged by your excellent tutorial) and it's been amazing and at times puzzling watching them develop. I placed 7 per pot which I think it is too much so for next year I am thinking of using an oblong pot and planting them in a row with at most 5 per pot. I think they will look tidier that way.
Gregory, I know very well what you are writing about. I inserted some 2' bamboo sticks in the pot (6 for a 6″ pot) very close to the edge of the pot, and created some concentric rings on them from bottom to top (8 rings) using twist plastic coated wire. This managed to keep all the foliage in place, although given how high mine grew (probably because they do not have enough light) I should have used a 3' bamboo stick instead. If you are afraid of inserting the sticks now in the pot, I think you can somehow secure them on the outer rim of the pot and build your rings that way.
Kevin, just a quick suggestion. I would be so much fun to actually see the photos of the flowers people speak about so it may be nice to have a way for your readers to upload photos to a section of the site.
Keep up the great work! Best regards, Dana
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Dana – I order Freesia bulbs (“corms”) each September from Easy To Grow Bulbs (dot) com.
I'm delighted that your freesia has sent up flowering stalks! Check the soil daily now; if the top inch feels dry, water thoroughly, until excess seeps through the drainage hole. Then empty the saucer beneath the pot.
If you'd like to submit a picture — and I hope you will — join A Garden for the House on Facebook
(if you haven't already). It's easy to download photos there.
Gabi says
I live in the UK and would like to have Freesias in bloom by the last week of May ( daughters wedding). Can use a cold greenhouse. When do you recommend I should plant the corms.
Regards Gabi
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Gabi – Lovely to meet you. I plant the corms in early- to mid-October. Set in my cool, south-facing window garden, they bloom without fail starting in mid-February. So that is 4 months.
No guarantee here, but I'd say that if you want the flowers for May, you should start the corms in January.
I hope this schedule works out for you — there isn't a lovelier, more fragrant flower for a wedding than freesia. It's only rival, perhaps, is Narcissus 'Erlicheer.'
Danie says
I have planted freesia in my front garden and every spring their is a bunch. Go and get the plant at Lowe’s or home depot and plant them any were you want . They have new seeds after they are done flowering and you get more. This plant is so nice and mine is about to flower soon. Can’t wait to smell all the perfume and see the beautiful flowers.