Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Gladiolus — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Gladiolus spp. |
|---|---|
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 60–90 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 15.2–20.3 |
| Mature height (cm) | 91.4–152.4 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 15.2–20.3 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 7–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Bulb |
Growing directions
Plant corms 4–6 in deep in well-drained soil with the pointed end up after the last frost; succession plant every 2 weeks through midsummer for continuous cut flowers. Tall varieties need staking; a single bamboo cane tied loosely to the stem works well. In zones below 7, dig corms after frost blackens the foliage, dry for 2–3 weeks, remove offsets (cormels), and store at 35–45°F in mesh bags through winter. Harvest cut spikes when the lowest 2–3 buds show color for longest vase life.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0