Crocosmia: vase life, season, meaning and care for florists
Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora
Crocosmia (Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora, family Iridaceae) usually lasts 5–8 days in a vase. In season: Summer. Fragrance: none. Typical role in a design: line flower.
- Botanical name
- Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Accepted name
- Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora (Lemoine) N.E.Br.
- Role in a design
- Line flower
- Vase life
- 5–8 days
- In season
- Summer
- Fragrance
- None
- Colours
- orange, red, yellow
- Type
- Cut flower
- Pets
- Not flagged as toxic in our knowledge base — check the ASPCA list for the exact species
Cut flower commercial monograph
- Official name
- Crocosmia
- Botanical name
- Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Aliases
- montbretia
- Native origin
- Mediterranean, Cape Region of South Africa and Southern Europe
- Growth habit
- Herbaceous perennial or biennial with sturdy, upright flowering stems.
- Stem length
- 50–70 cm
- Natural colours
- Orange, Red, Yellow
- Natural bloom
- Natural flowering in summer
- Commercial supply
- Peak in summer
- Harvest stage
- Harvest when buds show true colour and outer petals loosen (Stage 2–3).
- Vase life
- 5–8 days
- Cold storage
- Sensitive to cold: keep above 12°C to prevent chilling injury and blackening.
- Special care
- Cut spikes with the first florets open; later buds can open in the vase. Recut and remove fading lower flowers.
- Application
- Serves primarily as Line flower in modern floristry, ideal for table arrangements and event designs.
- Market notes
- Cut spikes with the first florets open; later buds can open in the vase. Recut and remove fading lower flowers.
For florists
Try Crocosmia in a client design
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Try it as a design — freeCare and conditioning
- Cut spikes with the first florets open; later buds can open in the vase. Recut and remove fading lower flowers.
Where it fits
| Use | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital visits and condolences | ✓ | Not strongly scented and no heavy pollen. Check that the ward accepts fresh flowers. |
| Weddings | ✓ | No pollen staining, and it lasts long enough to make up a day ahead. |
| Dining tables and restaurants | ✓ | Little or no scent, so it will not compete with the meal. |
| Homes with cats or dogs | ✓ | Not flagged as toxic in our knowledge base; still check the ASPCA list for the exact species. |
| Making ahead and next-day delivery | ✓ | About 5–8 days in a vase — fine to make up a day ahead. |
Pairs well with
These are available at the same time as crocosmia and have a similar vase life (foliage lasts at least as long), so the arrangement ages evenly:
| Flower | Role | Vase life |
|---|---|---|
| Rose | Focal flower | 5–7 days |
| Hydrangea | Focal flower | 5–7 days |
| Zinnia | Focal flower | 5–7 days |
| Mugwort | Foliage | 5–7 days |
| Hosta leaves | Foliage | 7–14 days |
| Sweet flag (acorus) | Foliage | 7–14 days |
Substitutes
When crocosmia is unavailable, out of season or priced up before a holiday, these fill the same role at the same time of year:
| Flower | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollyhock | 5–7 days | Summer | None | — |
| Lupin | 5–7 days | Spring, Summer | None | mildly toxic |
| Gladiolus | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | None | mildly toxic |
| Canterbury bells | 5–8 days | Spring, Summer | None | — |
FAQ
How long does crocosmia last in a vase?
Usually 5–8 days, depending on variety, origin and conditioning.
When is crocosmia in season?
In season in summer; at other times prices can run high or quality can vary.
How do you keep crocosmia fresh?
Cut spikes with the first florets open; later buds can open in the vase. Recut and remove fading lower flowers.
What colours does crocosmia come in?
Naturally in orange, red, yellow (not counting dyed stems).
What can I use instead of crocosmia?
Flowers with the same role, an overlapping season and a similar vase life: Hollyhock, Lupin, Gladiolus, Canterbury bells.
Related guides
In season at the same time
SunflowerHydrangeaChamomileAstrantiaLove-lies-bleedingBells of IrelandBupleurumSiam tulip (Curcuma)