Introducing...
Freesia
Botanical name: Freesia
Freesias are popular for their sweetly scented, long-lasting, colourful blooms that make gorgeous cut flowers. Although they are known as tender South African plants, you can grow them outdoors in some parts of the UK, especially in areas with mild winter weather. You can grow these lovely plants in colder areas too, and overwinter them in a greenhouse or conservatory.
Looks
Upright stems emerging from a fan of narrow, grassy leaves carry one-sided sprays of tubular, sometimes double, usually strongly-scented red, yellow, orange, mauve or white flowers.
Likes
Freesia will thrive in pots of free-draining potting compost with added grit, if grown somewhere light, cool and airy such as a conservatory, porch or bright but cool room.
Dislikes
These bulbs will not grow in wet compost or in deep shade.
Did you know?
For a succession of blooms for your home, try planting corms every couple of weeks from late August to December.
Growing guide
How to grow freesia
All the information you'll need to grow and care for freesia in your garden
Freesia we recommend
Freesia laxa var. alba
white flowering grass
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0–0.1 metre
Freesia laxa var. alba
white flowering grass
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0–0.1 metre
Useful advice
Choosing the best houseplants
Containers: summer selection
Cut flowers: growing and selection
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.