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Library > Bulbs > Freesia

Plant profile

Freesia

Frost: Frost HardyHardiness: HardyType: Mixed

Best month to plant in Melbourne (AU Zone 5): March

It's currently Autumn in Melbourne; perfect time to prep your freesia bed.

Vital Stats

Sowing depth: 5-7 cm

Spacing: 8-10 cm

Sun: Full Sun

Water: Moderate, keep evenly moist during growth

Growth Cycle

Germination: 14-21 days

Maturity: 120-150 days

Companions: Alyssum, Pansy, Calendula

Climate-Specific Warnings

Local Climate Note

Guidance is tuned to Melbourne (AU Zone 5). Keep drainage, airflow, and frost timing aligned with current seasonal conditions.

Cheat Sheet

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Moderate, keep evenly moist during growth

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Pro Tip

For longer vase life, cut stems when the first floret opens and keep bunches cool overnight.

Popular Cultivars

Early flowering selections: Help extend bloom windows at the front of the season.
Large-flower selections: Usually need richer feeding and support in exposed gardens.

Nearby Natives: Perfect for Your Local Soil

Zone 5 logic is active for your location, so these native plants are prioritized for resilient local performance.

Kangaroo Paw

Anigozanthos flavidus

Grevillea

Grevillea rosmarinifolia

Lomandra

Lomandra longifolia

How to Plant

Fill trays with free-draining seed mix and set corms point-up.
Cover lightly, water in, and place in bright morning sun.
Transplant to beds once roots are established and weather is mild.

Ongoing Care

Water deeply once soil starts to dry at knuckle depth.
Feed every 3 weeks with a low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer.
Stake flower stems in windy sites.

Troubleshooting Pests

Aphids: rinse with water jet and repeat every few days.
Corm rot: improve drainage and avoid overwatering.
Snails: set barriers around fresh growth.

Seasonality Bar (Melbourne context)

Toggle between yearly month-grid planning and a compact timeline with stage-specific tasks.

SowGrowHarvestCurrent month marker

Sow

Grow

Harvest

May focus (current month)

Sow

Start seeds in trays at about 5-7 cm depth, then transplant with around 8-10 cm spacing. Keep light and airflow consistent in Melbourne.

Climate Logic

Plant when nights are cooling and soil is still workable for strong root formation.

Best month by AU/NZ band

Temperate: March
Mediterranean: April
Subtropical: May
Tropical: June
Cool: September

Advanced Climate Logic

Live BOM Soil Moisture Percentile

Live BOM signal is currently unavailable. Continue using the baseline guidance below.

Melbourne Microclimates

Coastal Melbourne sites (for example St Kilda) are usually milder overnight; use lighter mulch (3-4 cm) to avoid keeping root zones too cool and wet.
In colder inland valleys (for example Yarra Valley), frost hangs longer; use thicker mulch (6-8 cm through winter) and in frost-prone pockets, keep tray sowing shallow and delay transplanting by 1-2 weeks.

La Nina / El Nino Adjustments

When BOM flags a wetter La Nina phase, reduce automatic watering and skip irrigation after meaningful rainfall to avoid root stress.
When BOM flags a drier El Nino phase, increase deep watering intervals and thicken mulch to hold soil moisture for longer.

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