Freesias are known for their vibrant colors and sweet fragrance. These elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers cluster along slender stems. They are a popular choice for cut flower arrangements, including wedding bouquets, due to their long vase life and appealing scent.
Understanding Freesia Perennial Nature
Freesias are tender perennials that grow from underground corms. While technically perennial, their ability to return annually depends significantly on the climate. In their native South Africa, freesias naturally experience cool, moist winters and dry, hot summers, influencing their life cycle.
In warmer, frost-free regions (USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 10), freesias behave as true perennials. They can remain in the ground year-round, sprouting foliage in fall, blooming from late winter to early spring, then entering summer dormancy. The corm stores energy, allowing the plant to regrow in subsequent seasons.
In colder regions (USDA Zones 8 and below), freesia corms will not survive outdoor winter temperatures. Here, freesias are often cultivated as annuals or require intervention to return. Frost and a lack of consistent cool nighttime temperatures prevent corms from overwintering successfully. This distinction dictates whether freesias naturally perennialize or need specific actions for their return.
Methods for Freesia Return
Encouraging freesias to return involves different strategies based on your climate zone. In warmer climates (USDA Zones 9 to 10), freesias can remain in the ground over winter. After blooming, allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally; this nourishes the corm for the next season. Minimal care is needed during summer dormancy, often just reducing watering as leaves fade.
For colder climates (USDA Zones 8 and below), lifting and storing freesia corms is essential for their return. This should occur before the first hard frost, when foliage has yellowed and withered. Carefully dig up the corms, remove remaining foliage, and dry them thoroughly in a protected, frost-free location.
Once dry, clean the corms by removing old debris or shriveled portions, and separate any offsets. Store cleaned corms in a cool, dry, dark, well-ventilated space (e.g., in sand or peat moss) at around 55°F (12°C).
Replant corms outdoors in spring after the last frost, typically in April or May, for late summer blooms.
Essential Care for Returning Freesias
To support freesia return, provide appropriate general care during their active growth. Freesias thrive in full sun, ideally with cool daytime temperatures (55-70°F / 13-21°C) and cooler nights. Well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH is beneficial.
Consistent moisture is important during growth and blooming. Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering causes corm rot, while insufficient water leads to wilting.
Once leaves emerge, apply a balanced or low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
After blooming, allow foliage to naturally yellow and die back. This allows leaves to photosynthesize and transfer energy back to the corm, strengthening it for the next season’s growth and bloom. Deadheading also redirects the plant’s energy towards corm development.