Everything You Need To Know To Grow A Freesia Plant
There may not be a sweeter or more distinct smell than that from a freesia plant. Once you have smelled the scent of a generous bouquet it is not a flower that you are likely to forget. These delicate small flowers come in a rainbow of colors and are either used as part of a floral arrangement or in a bouquet of their own.
Native to South Africa, the freesia plant can grow from seeds or a cone-shaped corm and be up to one foot tall. The flowers on the plant are funnel-shaped, growing on arched racemes, producing up to eight flowers in red, pink, yellow, orange, purple, white and multicolored. They are so highly scented that they are considered a prize to potpourri manufacturers and perfume developers.
The flowers are zygomorphic, meaning that they only stem on one side. They also have unusual habits which make the flower face upward. Freesia stems turn at a right angle below the bottom flower which causes the stem near the top to grow parallel to the ground. The flowers then bloom on the top part of the stalk.
Planting Outside
To grow your freesia plant outside, it is important to choose a location that has well-drained soil. You can check for this by observing the area about five hours after a hard rain to see if there are still puddles. You can also amend the soil with organic material so that the bed is raised another couple of inches and in doing so you will improve the drainage. Compost, peat moss, decomposed manure or ground bark are all widely available and work well. It is also important to find an area that offers full sunlight.
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Dig the holes and plant the bulbs around three inches apart and two inches deep with the pointed end of the bulb facing upward.
- After covering the holes back up, water the area well, soaking thoroughly. Sprouts and roots typically form in the fall and the flowers will arrive in the spring.
- While the freesia plant is in bloom, feel free to cut flowers and bring them indoors for a bouquet as it does not hurt the plant one bit.
- When the blooming season has finished, do not cut the foliage away. The leaves provide nourishment to the plant by gathering sunlight. Cutting away foliage will have a negative impact on next season's show.
- In the later part of summer, the leaves turn yellow and die while the plant goes dormant. At this point, foliage can be removed.
Pot Planting
- To plant your freesia plant in a pot, urn or tub, fill it with a well-drained, good quality soil and be sure that the container has adequate drainage holes.
- Place the containers where they can have a full day of direct sunlight.
- Plant the bulbs about two feet apart and two feet deep.
- Water the plant well.
Indoor Planting
- Fill your containers with a well-drained soil of good quality. It is important that the roots never sit in water or they can rot.
- Choose a sunny window sill where they will receive the most direct light. Quite often when a freesia plant is grown indoors, they do not get the amount of sun that they prefer so they will flop over. If this happens, stakes or support rings can be used to assist the plant in standing up.
- Plant the bulbs one inch apart and two inches deep.
- Water well until the water is forced out the drain holes.
- When the plant is in bloom, the flowering can be prolonged substantially if it is placed in a cool room and the soil kept slightly moist.
- After the flowering season has finished, the plant can be transplanted outside into gardens.