Freesia
Freesia refracta
Freesia is a South African bulb prized for its arching sprays of richly perfumed, funnel-shaped flowers in a rainbow of colors, popular as a cut flower.
- Light
- Full sun to bright light
- Water
- Moderate during growth; dry during dormancy
- Difficulty
- Moderate
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Overview
Freesia is a cormous perennial native to South Africa, famed for the intense fragrance of its flowers. The blooms line one side of a distinctive bent stem, opening in sequence.
Grown from corms, freesias are a cool-season plant favored in gardens and the cut-flower trade. In frost-prone areas they are grown in pots or lifted and stored over winter.
How to identify it
Identified by the sharply angled flower spike of fragrant trumpets.
- Flowers: funnel-shaped, 5-7 cm, in white, yellow, pink, red, purple, or blue, very fragrant, arranged along a horizontally bent stem
- Leaves: narrow, sword-shaped, in a flat fan
- Height: 30-45 cm
- Underground: grows from a small corm
Care & growing
Freesias need cool growing conditions to thrive.
- Light: full sun or very bright light
- Water: keep moist during active growth; withhold water as foliage dies back for dormancy
- Soil: light, well-drained, sandy soil
- Temperature: prefers cool nights; corms need a cool period to flower well
- Propagation: plant corms in autumn (mild climates) or spring; offsets multiply naturally
Habitat & origin
Native to the Cape region of South Africa, growing in seasonally moist, well-drained soils with a Mediterranean-type climate.
It grows actively in cool, wet seasons and rests during dry heat. Cultivated worldwide as a garden bulb and greenhouse cut flower, especially where winters are mild.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my freesias flower?
Freesias need cool temperatures to initiate bloom; excessive heat or warm storage of corms prevents flowering.
When do I plant freesia corms?
Plant in autumn in frost-free climates, or in spring where winters are cold, lifting the corms before frost.
Why are freesias so popular as cut flowers?
Their strongly fragrant blooms, long arching sprays, and wide color range make them a favorite in the cut-flower trade and perfumery.
Can I grow freesia indoors?
Yes, they can be forced in pots in a cool, bright spot for fragrant late-winter or spring blooms.
Freesia guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Freesia.
