Herbs & Spices· Crocus sativus
Saffron Growing Guide
The world's most expensive spice by weight, derived from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus. Each flower produces only 3 stigmas, requiring approximately 150,000 flowers per kilogram of spice.
How Long Does Saffron Take to Grow?
Saffron is typically ready to harvest about 180 days after planting.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
Soil Type & pH
Best soil types: sandy loam, calcareous, well-drained
pH range: 6 - 7 (optimal: 6.5)
Drainage: excellent
Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)
Planting Guide
Yield & Economics
Common Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
- rodents
- corm rot nematodes
- thrips
Common Diseases
- fusarium corm rot
- rhizoctonia
- violet root rot
Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.
Growing Tips
Harvest stigmas the morning flowers open — use tweezers to pluck the three red stigmas from each flower, then dry at 40-50C within hours.
Saffron is labor-intensive: one hectare requires 300-400 person-hours for the 2-3 week autumn harvest window; plan labor availability accordingly.
Corms multiply underground and should be lifted and divided every 4-5 years; replant only corms larger than 2.5 cm diameter for best yields.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Saffron take to grow?
Saffron typically takes 180 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 14 days. The best planting season is summer.
What soil does Saffron need?
Saffron grows best in sandy loam, calcareous, well-drained soil with a pH of 6-7. Excellent drainage is required.
What temperature does Saffron need?
Saffron grows best at 15-25°C. Frost tolerance: moderate. Heat tolerance: moderate.
What is the expected yield for Saffron?
Across 9 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Saffron range from 2 to 8 kg dried saffron/hectare, with a median of 4. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.
Key Agronomy Terms
Core farming concepts, explained in plain language.
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