When to Plant Crocus in Washington

Growing Crocus in Washington: Complete Guide

Crocus (Crocus vernus) is fall-planted — it goes in the ground a few weeks before the first fall frost and overwinters for blooms the following spring. Depending on your zone, Washington gardeners plant between August 14, 2026 (Zone 5b) and October 29, 2026 (Zone 9b).

Because Washington stretches across 9 USDA hardiness zones (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 150 days to maturity, Crocus fits comfortably within Washington's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Crocus requires full sun to part shade and moderate moisture. The Pacific Northwest's cool, wet springs delay soil warm-up; raised beds and black plastic mulch help jump-start the season.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Washington.