Garden Care Guide

Gladiolus Care

Gladiolus x hortulanus

A tuberous plant popular as a cut flower, with showy flowers on long spikes. It likes full sun and well-drained, sandy-loam soil; for best results it is recommended to plant the corms in spring and lift them in autumn.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · -4 °C / 25 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not necessary (bulbs are in storage).
  • General care: Check stored bulbs (tubers) monthly and discard any that are rotting or moldy. The storage area should be cool (5-10°C), dry and well ventilated.
  • Pests & diseases: Check stored bulbs for rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -4 °C.
February
  • General care: Dig the planting area to a depth of 20-30 cm, and improve drainage by adding compost and sand.
  • Pests & diseases: Continue checking stored bulbs.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -4 °C.
March
  • Watering: After planting, give establishment water (1-2 L/m²), then do not water until sprouting.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • General care: Plant the bulbs 10-15 cm deep, 15 cm apart. For continuous flowering, start planting in batches every 2 weeks.
  • Pests & diseases: Use only healthy, firm bulbs.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -4 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • General care: Clear weeds. You can continue planting at 2-week intervals until May.
  • Pests & diseases: Check shoots and young leaves.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: When plants have 4-5 true leaves, apply a high-potassium liquid fertilizer (e.g. 10-10-20 NPK) at 1-2 ml per 1 L of water.
  • Plant protection: Start thrips control; if you see silvery spots on the leaves, apply neem oil or a suitable insecticide.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Thrips are the most important pest; be careful.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: When flower stalks begin to appear, apply a high-potassium fertilizer for the second time.
  • Plant protection: Continue thrips control.
  • General care: Tie plants to supports. Mulch to retain soil moisture.
  • Pests & diseases: Prevent thrips from getting into the flower buds; otherwise the flowers will not open or will be deformed.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Pruning: When cutting flowers, leave at least 4-5 leaves on the stem. Remove fading flowers.
  • Plant protection: Check for thrips and spider mites.
  • General care: Harvest as cut flowers early in the morning.
  • Pests & diseases: In humid weather, check the flowers for Botrytis (gray mold).
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Pruning: When flowering ends, cut the flower stalk but leave the leaves.
  • Plant protection: Check for spider mites.
  • General care: Let the bulb develop by allowing the leaves to receive sunlight.
  • Pests & diseases: Continue pest control.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Not needed. Wait for the leaves to yellow and dry completely; do not cut them early.
  • General care: The leaves allow the bulb to store energy for next year.
  • Pests & diseases: Stop watering against the risk of bulb rot.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Plant protection: Treating the bulbs you have lifted with a fungicide prevents storage diseases.
  • General care: When the leaves have completely dried, lift the bulbs and their offsets from the soil. Cut the stalk 2-3 cm above the bulb. Discard diseased or soft bulbs during lifting.
November
  • General care: Dry the bulbs for 2-3 weeks in a warm (20-25°C), dry, airy place. Then store them in mesh bags or boxes.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for rot during drying.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -4 °C.
December
  • General care: Check stored bulbs monthly.
  • Pests & diseases: Check stored bulbs for rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -4 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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