How to Grow and Care for Freesia

most often a sign of friendship.
Plant and Bloom Length and Height
Freesia plants can grow from one to two feet tall. Most flower stems are about 12 to 15 inches tall. Each freesia blossom is about 34 to 1 12 inches in size.
Smell
A distinct benefit or attribute is their wonderful fruitysmelling perfume similar to strawberries often used in fragrances. Some consider the red and pink flowers to have the headiest scent.
Planting a Freesia Corm
These plants are native to warm South Africa. Freesias can be planted indoors or outdoors however the corms will die if exposed to frost. The times for planting differ based on your USDA hardiness zone. Freesias look their best planted in groups instead of rows.
When to Plant
If planting freesia corms outdoors in USDA zone 9 or 10 plant them in the fall when they enter their active growth phase. If growing outdoors in any other zone plant them in the spring after the last frost.
If the corms are planted indoors in the fall keep them in a cool greenhouselike environment 50 to 60 degrees to bloom in late winter. If growing freesias in indoor pots for early summer flowering plant them from January to March.
How Deep Do You Plant Freesia
When planting in beds prepare the soil about a foot deep. Make sure the bed drains well since standing water will rot the corms. Plant the corms two to four inches apart and two inches deep with the pointed end up then water the bed well.
If planting in pots choose deeper pots if possible since freesias have a long taproot. You can plant them closer together in a pot. Six corms will fit comfortably in a fiveinch pot. Give a little space in between them about an inch. If using a larger pot spread the bulbs about two inches
apart. Plant your corms about one inch deep with the pointed end up.
Freesia Care
Freesia stems are thin and cant always support the weight of the flower heads especially in varieties that produce double blooms. A growthrough staking system with a grid supporting the flowers and leaves will keep the plants upright.
If you live in a climate that mimics the native growing conditions of the plant freesias are a must for a cutting garden. Cut the flowers when the first bloom on the stem is open and the rest begin to show color. Expect your freshly cut flowers to last about 12 days in a vase compared with five to seven days for purchased flowers.