<em>Freesia</em>: planting, cultivation and care

Description and Botany

Freesia, also called Cape freesia, is a bulbous perennial plant with a corm native to eastern Africa to South Africa, notably Cape of Good Hope. It belongs to family Iridaceae and some species, notably Freesia laxa, have naturalized in parts of southern France.

Genus includes 15 Freesia species but only horticultural hybrids (Freesia x hybrida) are cultivated, most descending from Freesia refracta. They show very varied colours and some hybrids bear double flowers.

Freesia grows from a bulb, more precisely a corm (or cormus) conical in shape that allows plant to store nutrients and water (a storage organ). From this corm, plant forms a clump with a rather spreading habit of deciduous leaves from which emerge fairly slender stems about 20 to 40 cm tall.

From centre of each freesia plant emerge 4 to 5 flower stems. Corm produces long, narrow, strap-shaped, sheathing leaves 10 to 40 cm long, sword-shaped with sharp tips arranged in a fan from base. Their fresh green colour slightly evokes foliage of grasses or that of daylilies.

In spring, freesias’ brilliant, delightfully scented flowering, set off by soft green clumps, never goes unnoticed. Carried on flexible, gracefully arched but not very trailing flower stems, flowers appear from May to July, sometimes to September, above the narrow leaves.

Freesia – botanical illustration excerpt from Les liliacées (1805) by P. J. Redouté

Freesia flower stems show a rather particular convex habit, bending at right angles from first flower; flowers are arranged in unilateral clusters at tip of this often highly ramified stem. Each stem can bear up to 10 flowers 2 to 6 cm across that open successively, delicate flower buds sitting alongside already open inflorescences. They take form of funnels or slightly tubular bells. Corollas, widely open and upturned, are formed of six tepals. Centre contains stamens.

Although flowers are often single, cup-shaped varieties sometimes double exist, such as Freesia ‘Double Bleu’ or Freesia ‘Double Rose’. From most theatrical shapes to simplest natural forms, freesia flowers also span almost every colour of rainbow, from pure white to magenta pink via topaz yellow, scarlet red, lavender blue or amethyst.

Freesia make excellent cut flowers much appreciated by florists for scented, sophisticated and colourful summer bouquets that last up to 3 weeks in a vase.

Freesia ranks among top 10 most fragrant flowers, simple white or yellow freesias being most scented; freesia flower exhales an intoxicating, heady and sweet scent evoking jasmine, orange blossom and neroli.

Of southern origin, freesia is a tender, frost-tender plant that cannot tolerate temperatures below -3°C. It is particularly suited to mild climates. It prefers warm, sunny positions and light, sandy, not too fertile, cool and well-drained soils free of lime.

Freesia brightens any scree or rock garden that stays cool, in front of a sunny border or in a bed provided one can admire its fragrant nodding flowers up close. It is also grown in pots to enjoy its scent on a terrace.

Freesia is very often used in perfumery where its suave, intense fragrances serve major brands.

Main species and varieties

Although the genus comprises 15 species including Freesia grandiflora, Freesia laxa and Freesia lactea, most commonly encountered are Freesia hybrids (Freesia x hybrida), in a range of colours, with single or double flowers, mostly descended from Freesia refracta. We also offer mixes of Freesia hybrids displaying almost every colour of the rainbow.

Most popular

Freesia Simple Blanc

A cultivar you will appreciate for its delicate, highly fragrant flower spikes. Give it a place in the garden or in a romantic pot.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 35 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Double Blue

A variety with double, cup-shaped lavender-blue flowers. Grow in a pot to enjoy its jasmine scent on the terrace, or in the garden in a sunny border or rockery in cool soil.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 50 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Double White

Symbol of purity and eternal love, this white freesia makes a statement in a romantic border or in elaborate floral arrangements.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Single Yellow

Topaz-coloured flowers that give off a gentle, jasmine-like scent. Perfect planted in the ground or in a pot with other elegant, scented or unscented companions.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Our favourites

Freesia Single Rose

A very handsome cultivar with single magenta-coloured flowers. It will add a colourful, fragrant touch to rockeries, borders and even bouquets!

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Double Mix

The flowers in this selection are double and range from bright to pastel or dark colours. Plant in pots, rockeries or borders.

• Flowering time June to September
• Height at maturity 35 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Double Rose

A highly decorative cultivar with double magenta-coloured flowers. It will bring a fragrant, lively touch to rockeries or borders.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Freesia Simple Mix

A collection of some of the most beautiful single-flowered cultivars, with colours varying endlessly from white to deep red. In a bouquet it brightens interiors, balconies and gardens.

• Flowering time June to September
• Height at maturity 35 cm

See the product sheet

Planting freesia

Where to plant freesias?

Freesia grows across France, however it copes poorly with winter frosts, so cultivation varies by region. Extremely tender and frost-prone, lifting is obligatory in areas with harsh winters if you want to keep them for replanting the following year: once foliage has yellowed, Freesia bulbs must be lifted and stored dry and protected from frost.

In mild regions (olive zone), Freesia bulbs can remain in the ground with a good mulch.

It will only thrive and be floriferous in a warm sunny position and in a light but cool, well-drained soil, preferably sandy and not calcareous.

With its medium height, Freesia is well suited to sunny flowerbeds, to borders of beds, to rockeries with annuals or perennials or to container growing on a sunny terrace or balcony. It is a must for cutting gardens to make bouquets all summer.

When to plant freesias?

Freesia corms are planted in spring, from March to May after the last frosts, as soon as soil has warmed, because Freesia fears frost. If you want early flowering, bulbs can be forced like hyacinths, planted in autumn in pots and kept in a cool greenhouse above freezing to flower in midwinter (all Ingrid’s tips for forcing bulbs indoors)

How to plant Freesia bulbs

In open ground

Freesia bulbs are planted in small groups of 20 to 50 to create a strong effect in borders in a sandy, rich and light mix of two thirds potting compost and one third river sand.

• Loosen soil to a depth of 20–25 cm and remove weeds, roots and stones
• In heavy soil, improve drainage with gravel or river sand mixed into soil or laid as a 5–10 cm layer beneath bulbs
• Using a dibber, plant about 3–5 cm deep, point of bulb upwards
• Space bulbs 20 cm apart in all directions
• Cover bulbs with soil
• Firm down by hand
• Stake flower stem if necessary
• Water without waterlogging

Find even more advice to succeed in planting freesias in our guide and in How to plant freesias?

In pots

Freesia bulbs are easy to grow in pots to enjoy their scented flowering all summer on a terrace or balcony, mixed with other summer bulbs. In a 15 cm pot, allow 5 to 7 Freesia bulbs spaced 6 cm apart. More advice on how to plant bulbs in pots in our video!

• Plant 3–5 cm deep, point of bulb upwards, in a mix of sand, potting compost and turf
• Spread a layer of clay pebbles in bottom of pot with drainage holes
• Top up with remaining mix
• Firm down
• Water lightly, then regularly but avoid overwatering
• In autumn, bring pots under cover where temperature does not fall below 3 °C

Maintenance, pruning and care

freesia is a bulb rather easy to grow; it requires only a few simple steps.

It does not need much water. Water only during growth and avoid wetting the foliage too much: water regularly all summer, especially during hot spells to keep soil cool but without waterlogging the soil as freesia dislikes excess moisture that causes bulbs to rot. Keep its roots cool with a mulch.

Leave bulbs dry during summer dormancy.

In a pot: water 1 to 2 times a week, allowing soil to dry at surface between waterings. Optionally add a little organic bulb fertiliser to the water when watering throughout flowering. In winter: stop watering.

The flowering stem sometimes needs staking.

In regions with mild winters where frosts are light and infrequent and in sandy, well-draining soil, corms can be left in place for winter, simply protected from frost by a thick mulch of dry leaves: cut back foliage to soil level once it has completely died back, to give bulbs time to rebuild reserves needed for next flowering.

In October or November, in colder regions, once foliage has yellowed and completely dried, lift the corms, remove buds and store them in a crate in a dry, frost-free place to replant the following spring. Bring pots indoors before frosts. To return pots outdoors and replant bulbs, wait until temperatures are mild and soil warmed.

→ Also read: Overwinter summer bulbs with tips from Virginie!

No pruning is necessary, however you can remove faded flowers as they go and cut flower stalks after flowering.

Diseases and potential pests

Freesia displays average resistance to diseases. In poorly drained soil, moisture responsible for bulb rot, grey rot (Botrytis), causes greyish spots on leaves and flowers.

It is regularly endangered by gastropods that relish its young leaves. Protect it from their attacks by discovering our effective, natural ways to control slugs.

Fusariosis and stromatinose are also diseases that can endanger freesia: they cause leaves to dry out and turn yellow, spots on leaves and flowers and necroses on bulbs: destroy affected bulbs.

Mosaic virus can also cause discolouration of flowers and striate markings on leaves: remove diseased plants.

Freesia is sometimes attacked by aphids, which extract sap, weakening the plant. We recommend spraying black soap diluted in water onto foliage.

If affected by red spider mites: moisten the foliage, as these pests dislike humidity.

Freesia propagation

If sowing is possible but difficult, allow a few flower stems to go to seed to collect seeds; however, easiest way to multiply freesias remains the division of corms or separation of bulbils.

How to divide freesia corms?

• Carry out in autumn when leaves have yellowed while lifting bulbs for storage
• Dig up clump with a fork
• Separate bulblets or bulbils that form on edges of bulbs by hand or with a small knife
• Store in a dry, dark place in pots filled with sand
• The following spring, replant in garden or in pots

Which plants to pair with freesia?

Slender, with elegant flowers in rich colours, freesias bloom generously all summer in every garden, from the most romantic to the most exotic. They add originality to borders, rockeries, flowerbeds, flowering pots as well as to the cutting garden — see our guide to create ‘a cutting flower garden’.

Colourful freesia border

Because freesia flowers come in a wide range of colours, they allow many combinations, attracting the eye sometimes with vivid hues, sometimes with softer tones (white, pink, pale yellow…).

Freesia can be planted in any scree garden or rockery, in companion with annuals or perennials such as dianthus or diascias for pink schemes, or perennial flax and coreopsis for blue/yellow harmonies.

In milder regions, it will provide a subtle touch at the edge of a large border, looking precious alongside other scented summer-flowering bulbs or not, such as Crinum or Crinole de Powell, agapanthus, Himalayan giant lily, gladioli, Amaryllis belladonna.

In a naturalistic garden, it will sit simply alongside summer-flowering perennials such as geraniums, nepeta, achillea and nigella.

For a romantic atmosphere, in pink/white harmonies, plant freesias at the feet of old roses, cosmos, aconites, astrantia or dahlias in fresh colours and punctuate your border with a few feathery grasses such as fountain grass.

Potted freesia, accompanied by a pot of Zantedeschia in the foreground

It is also very decorative in exotic-inspired borders with Siphonnas, daylilies, Phlomis fruticosa, orange, yellow or red crocosmias, phormium and with other summer bulbs of exotic appearance such as Lycoris or spider lily, cannas, Peruvian lilies or tuberous nasturtiums like Tropaeolum tuberosum.

Potted freesia can be paired with other elegant plants such as Amarcrinum on sunny terraces and indoors.