Freesia Container Care: How To Grow Freesia Bulbs In Pots

freesia in basket
freesia in basket
(Image credit: g-miner)

Freesias are beautiful, fragrant flowering plants that are native to south Africa. They’re prized for their scent and their uncommon tendency to produce flowers that face straight up and parallel to the ground. They’re ideal for gardens and flower arrangements, but they’re also very well suited to being grown in containers. Keep reading to learn more about how to grow freesia bulbs in pots.

Can Freesias Grow in a Pot?

Can freesias grow in a pot? Absolutely. In fact, their bulbs are some of the best suited to container planting. The only thing you need to be mindful of when planting freesias in containers is your climate. Freesias are native to South Africa, and their bulbs cannot overwinter in climates colder than USDA zone 9. If you live in zone 9 or warmer, plant your bulbs in autumn (between August and December) and expect growth in the spring. If you live in zone 8 or colder, you can plant in containers in the fall in a cool but not cold, around 40 degrees F. (4 C.), space. Alternatively (and more easily), you can simply plant in your containers outdoors in the spring.

Care of Freesia in Pots

Care of freesia in pots is relatively easy. Freesias like rich but well-draining soil. A good mix is 2 parts compost to 1 part grit. Plant your bulbs 2 inches (5 cm.) deep and 3 inches (8 cm.) apart. You can use any size container as long as you stick to those dimensions. Plant the bulbs with the pointy end up and water well. If you’re planting outdoors in the fall, put down some mulch for protection. Summertime freesia container care is easy. Place them in full sun or light shade. You will probably have to stake the plants to keep them from falling over as they grow. Feel free to cut some flowers as they blossom. After the blooming period has passed, don’t cut back the foliage if you plan on overwintering or saving the bulbs. Keep watering and let the foliage die back naturally to allow it to store up energy in the bulb.

Liz Baessler
Senior Editor

The only child of a horticulturist and an English teacher, Liz Baessler was destined to become a gardening editor. She has been with Gardening Know how since 2015, and a Senior Editor since 2020. She holds a BA in English from Brandeis University and an MA in English from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. After years of gardening in containers and community garden plots, she finally has a backyard of her own, which she is systematically filling with vegetables and flowers.