Crocus sativus Seeds | Saffron Crocus

Categories：Herb

Saffron Crocus seeds (Crocus sativus)

LATIN NAME: Crocus sativus

COMMON NAME: Saffron Crocus

Plant Profile

Known to gardeners as Saffron Crocus, Crocus sativus is a perennial in the iris family (Iridaceae), native to southwest Asia. It flowers through late autumn, and it stands cool, dry climate well. It likes sun, and light, well-drained soil. Its appeal to pollinating insects adds a second, ecological layer to its ornamental one. Not many plants ask so little and repay so much.

Science & Biotechnology

Saffron is simultaneously the world’s most expensive spice and one of the better-evidenced botanicals in psychiatry. Quality is graded under ISO 3632 by colorimetric measurement of crocin (colour), picrocrocin (taste) and safranal (aroma), the same carotenoid-derived compounds held responsible for its pharmacology. Meta-analyses of randomised trials in mild-to-moderate depression — mostly using 30 mg of stigma extract daily for six to twelve weeks — report efficacy comparable to fluoxetine, imipramine and citalopram and clearly superior to placebo, albeit with small samples and a preponderance of studies from one research region. Culinary doses are safe; single doses above about 5 g are toxic and doses of 20 g or more can be dangerous.

Within the iris family, Crocus sativus is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. Orange stigmas of saffron crocus give it a recognised place in research on autumn-flowering corms of iris family, and sativus species appears in studies of spice-yield plants and crocin pigments. Contemporary seed practice means a grower can raise it confidently with standard techniques.

Uses & Benefits

Saffron Crocus works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. In autumn garden, saffron crocus cups autumn border with lilac flowers and golden threads. Three orange stigmas have served kitchens and dyeing arts for generations, lilac cups light cool season, and plant makes fine rock-garden and pot plant. It grows well in light, well-drained, sunny ground. Getting it going is easy; keeping it going is easier still.

Saffron, the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus, is the world’s most precious spice, and its crocin and safranal pigments have human-trial support for mood and eye health. It takes roughly 150 flowers to make a single gram, which is why growing your own is such a pleasure.

Growing from Seed

Seed is the natural starting point for Saffron Crocus, and the process is uncomplicated. Broadcast the seed thinly over a fine, free-draining compost, sieve a little more compost on top, and water with a fine rose. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.

Our Take

Saffron Crocus earns its space through character rather than fuss. Attention to moisture in the first weeks pays off; later, the plant is forgiving.

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