Saffron Corms
GROW THE WORLD'S MOST VALUABLE SPICE!
Canadian Grown
Our saffron corms include corms produced through our greenhouse growing trials in
London, Ontario, as well as Canadian-grown corms sourced from a saffron farm in
British Columbia.
Retail & Bulk Orders Welcome.
Key messages:
● Plant in late August or early September. larger combs will flower this year
-2026
● Beautiful fall-blooming flowers
● Harvest your own edible saffron and petals are edible as well
● Corms can multiply and produce daughter corms for future seasons
● With proper care, established corms can provide saffron harvests over multiple
years
● Plant in a raised or slightly mounded, well-drained area to help protect the
corms from excess winter moisture and fluctuating winter conditions
Growing & Harvesting Saffron
How to Grow Saffron
RHS – Saffron: Growing & Harvesting
An easy step-by-step guide covering planting, growing, harvesting and drying.
Quick Growing Guide
BBC Gardeners’ World – How to Grow Saffron
A short, beginner-friendly guide showing planting, harvesting the red stigmas and drying
saffron.
Watch the Full Process
Discover Agriculture – Saffron Farming
A visual YouTube guide covering corm selection, planting, field care, flower harvesting,
stigma separation and drying.
External resources are provided for general educational purposes.
Growing in Southwestern Ontario
Local conditions are different from those shown in some of these resources. Follow our
Southwestern Ontario planting recommendations for local bed preparation, planting
depth and spacing.
Learn How to Grow Saffron
Growing your own saffron can be a rewarding experience. Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a
fall-flowering crocus. The valuable saffron spice comes from the red stigmas found inside each
flower.
We’ve selected the following educational resources to help you learn about planting, growing,
harvesting and processing saffron.
Planting & Growing Saffron
Learn about site selection, planting depth, spacing, soil drainage and caring for saffron through
its growing cycle.
University of Vermont – Saffron Cultivation & Planting Guide
A practical introduction to planting and growing saffron in a northern climate.
University of Vermont – Saffron Growing Resources
Additional information on saffron cultivation, corms, plant development and production.
Harvesting Saffron Flowers
Learn when flowers should be harvested and how to handle the flowers to maintain saffron
quality.
University of Vermont – Harvesting Saffron Flowers
Covers flower maturity, harvesting and handling.
Separating the Saffron Stigmas
Each saffron flower contains three red stigmas. These are carefully separated from the freshly
harvested flower before drying.
Video: Saffron Harvesting & Drying – The Finer Points of Production
University of Vermont North American Center for Saffron Research & Development
This educational video demonstrates flower harvesting, stigma separation and post-harvest
handling.
Drying & Processing Saffron
Proper drying is an important step in producing high-quality saffron.
University of Vermont – Drying Saffron Guide
Additional information about drying and handling saffron after harvest.
Pests, Diseases & Corm Care
Good drainage and healthy corms are important for successful saffron production. Rodents and
certain diseases and pests can also damage saffron corms.
Video: Disease and Bulb Mites – A Disastrous Duo for Saffron
University of Vermont North American Center for Saffron Research & Development
Learn about saffron corm diseases, bulb mites and approaches to managing these problems.
Explore More Saffron Resources
For growers who would like to learn more, visit the University of Vermont North American Center for Saffron Research & Development for additional videos, factsheets, research and
educational information.
A Note for Canadian Growers
These external resources are provided for general educational purposes. Growing conditions
vary by location, soil, weather and production system. Information developed for Vermont or
other regions may need to be adapted to Canadian and local growing conditions.
External educational resources are provided for informational purposes. Inclusion of a
link does not imply affiliation or endorsement.