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Freesias - fragrant heralds of spring with a special elegance
Freesias are truly fragrant wonders and fascinate with their graceful blooms and vibrant variety of colours. Originally from South Africa, they have established themselves worldwide as popular cut and garden flowers. Their delicate, almost soapy fragrance and symbolic meaning make them a wonderful choice for bouquets, gifts or decorative arrangements.
Freesias - origin and special features
Freesia belongs to the iris family (Iridaceae) and originally comes from the coastal regions of South Africa. Its botanical name honours the German doctor and botanist Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese.
The funnel-shaped flowers, which grow on elegantly curved stems, are particularly characteristic. They are not only a visual highlight, but also delight with their intense, fresh fragrance, which is often described as a mixture of jasmine, lemon and rose.
Freesia flowering time
When do freesias bloom?
Freesias flower naturally in the spring and summer months, depending on when they are planted.
- Outdoor freesias: These are planted in spring and flower from July to September.
- Greenhouse freesias: They are available almost all year round and are a popular cut flower, especially in the winter months.
Thanks to special cultivation methods, freesias are available as cut flowers all year round, so they can be enjoyed at any time of year.
When are freesias in season?
Freesias are mainly available in spring, but thanks to worldwide cultivation, they are available as cut flowers all year round. They are particularly popular during the wedding season from March to May.
How long do freesias bloom?
Freesias flower for different lengths of time depending on the location and planting time. Outdoors, they usually flower for four to six weeks between July and September. Under optimal conditions in the greenhouse or as a houseplant, they can develop over a longer period. Cut flowers will keep for around 7 to 10 days in a vase if they are regularly cut and supplied with fresh water.
Planting freesias - ideal locations outdoors and indoors
Freesias indoors as a houseplant or cut flower
Freesias are not only a beautiful garden and balcony plant, but also perfect for indoors - either as a potted plant or as a fragrant cut flower in a vase.
Freesias as cut flowers
How do freesias stay fresh in the home?
Freesias are popular cut flowers and are valued for their beguiling fragrance and long shelf life. To keep them fresh for as long as possible, you should follow the general care tips:
- Cut the stems: Cut the stems at an angle with a sharp knife.
- Change the water: Use fresh, lukewarm water every two days.
- Flower freshener: A special nutrient additive can extend the shelf life.
- Location: Place the vase in a cool, bright place out of direct sunlight or draughts.
- Do not place too deep in water: Freesias prefer little water in the vase so that their stems do not rot.
Which flowers go well with freesias?
Thanks to their delicate appearance, freesias combine wonderfully with other flowers. They look particularly harmonious in bouquets with:
- Roses - for romantic bouquets
- Tulips - for spring-like lightness
- Lilies - for an elegant overall look
- Eucalyptus - for a modern, natural touch
Freesias are true all-rounders: they enchant with their unique fragrance, bring colour to everyday life and have a wonderful symbolic meaning. Whether as a single flower or in a bouquet - they are always a stylish choice!
Freesia as a houseplant
How to care for freesias in a pot?
Freesias can be cultivated not only in the garden, but also wonderfully in a pot or balcony box. To ensure they grow and bloom optimally, you should follow these care tips:
- Pot size: Choose a sufficiently large pot with good drainage to avoid waterlogging.
- Substrate: A loose, nutrient-rich substrate, ideally well-drained potting soil with sand or perlite, promotes root growth.
- Location: Freesias love sunny, sheltered spots. A balcony or terrace with plenty of light is ideal.
- Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. Freesias need regular watering as they grow.
- Fertilise: Feed every fortnight with a liquid fertiliser containing phosphorus to support flower formation.
- Overwintering: As freesias are not hardy, the tubers should be removed from the soil in autumn and stored in a dry, frost-free place.
With the right care, freesias bloom in pots from June to September and bring fragrant colour accents to balconies and patios!
Freesias in the garden
Can you plant freesias in the garden?
Yes, freesias can be planted in the garden. They should be planted in spring (April to May) as soon as there is no longer any risk of frost.
Which location is suitable for freesias?
They prefer a sunny, sheltered location with loose, nutrient-rich soil.
When and how do you plant freesia bulbs?
- Planting time: In spring (April to May) as soon as there is no longer any risk of frost. In warmer regions, the bulbs can also be planted in autumn.
- Location: Sunny and sheltered from the wind - ideal for beds, balconies or pots.
- Soil: Loose, well-drained and nutrient-rich. A mix of potting soil, sand and compost is ideal.
- Planting depth: The bulbs should be planted about 5-7 cm deep in the soil.
- Spacing: To ensure that the plants develop well, keep a distance of 5-10 cm between the bulbs.
- Overwintering: In colder regions, the bulbs should be dug up in autumn and stored in a frost-free place.
With these measures, you can enjoy the fragrant flowers every year!
Are freesias hardy?
No, freesias are not hardy. In cold regions, the tubers should be removed from the soil in autumn, dried and stored in a cool, frost-free place. In mild climates, they can overwinter with a protective layer of mulch in the soil.
Are freesias perennial?
they are not hardy. In cold regions, the tubers should therefore be dug up in autumn, dried and stored frost-free in a cool, dark place so that they can sprout again the following year.
In their native South Africa, they grow again every year.
How do you water freesias?
Freesias need a steady supply of water as they grow in order to bloom splendidly. You should keep the following in mind:
- Water moderately but regularly: The soil should always be slightly moist, but not wet.
- Avoid waterlogging: Use well-drained soil and provide a drainage layer in the pot or bed to prevent root rot.
- Water in the morning or evening: This prevents the water from evaporating too quickly and the plants absorb it optimally.
- Water more often during the flowering period: As soon as the flowers appear, the plant's water requirement increases.
- Water less after flowering: Gradually reduce watering so that the leaves turn yellow and the tubers go dormant.
Do you need to fertilise freesias?
A targeted supply of nutrients is important for freesias to grow healthily and bloom profusely. Here are the best fertilising tips:
- Start fertilisation: As soon as the first shoots are visible, you can give a liquid flowering plant fertiliser with a higher phosphorus content every fortnight.
- During flowering: Fertilisation can be continued to support flower formation. A fertiliser containing phosphorus and potassium promotes longer flowering.
- After flowering: Slowly reduce the amount of fertiliser to allow the plant to go dormant.
- No fertiliser during the dormant period: As soon as the foliage has dried out, the tubers should no longer be fertilised.
What do you do with freesias when they have faded?
After flowering, freesias need some care to make them fit for the next year:
- Remove faded flowers: cut off the wilted flowers so that the plant doesn't put energy into seed formation.
- Leave the leaves on: The green leaves should not be cut off as they continue to store nutrients in the bulb.
- Water less: Slowly reduce the watering until the leaves turn yellow and die of their own accord.
- Dig up the tubers: Once the foliage has completely dried out, you can carefully dig up the tubers.
- Storage: Allow the tubers to dry and store them in a cool, dry place until the next planting season in spring.
With this care, your freesias will bloom in full splendour again next year!
How can I propagate freesias?
Freesias can be propagated in two ways: by daughter bulbs and by sowing.
1. propagation by daughter bulbs (the simplest method)
After flowering, the mother bulb forms smaller daughter bulbs that produce new plants the following year. This is how it works:
- Dig up the tubers: After the leaves have yellowed, carefully remove the tubers from the soil.
- Separate the daughter tubers: Pull the smaller tubers off the mother tuber and clean them.
- Overwintering: Store in a cool, dry place until the following spring.
- Replanting: Replant in loose, well-drained soil in spring.
This method is particularly effective as it produces genetically identical plants that flower faster than seedlings.
2. propagation by seed (for the patient)
Freesias can also be grown from seed, but it takes one to two years before the plants are ready to flower.
- Sowing time: Sow in autumn or spring in nutrient-rich, loose soil.
- Germination conditions: Bright, warm location (approx. 18-20 °C) and even humidity.
- Pricking out: After germination, transplant the strongest seedlings into individual pots.
- Care: Water the young plants regularly and fertilise lightly until they are big enough.
The seed method is good for discovering new colour varieties, but requires a little patience.