This is the best time to plant gladiolus bulbs for a long, striking display of summer blooms

Gladoli are popular cut flowers for a reason – they’re vibrant, bold, and make a real statement in pots and garden borders. It’s about time we learned when to plant gladiolus bulbs, then.

In fact, timing is just as important as learning how to plant gladiolus bulbs. There are plenty of unique bulbs you can plant from February onwards (well, corms, technically), but gladioli are up there with the very best. There are tons of varieties to choose from, and a single flower spike can produce up to 20 buds.

We asked the experts when the best time to plant gladiolus bulbs is, to make sure we’re giving the blooms the best chance at thriving this year. The answer depends on where you'll be planting the bulbs to begin with...

What you'll need

If you’re wondering when to plant gladiolus bulbs, you can get started sooner than you’d think. According to the experts, they’re bulbs you can plant in February.

‘While February still feels like the tail end of winter, it’s actually a great time to plant summer-flowering bulbs so they can establish before it starts to warm up as spring arrives,’ explains Charlotte Daubney, bulb expert at Taylors Bulbs.

If you’re adding the task to your list of February garden jobs, though, it’s best to start them off indoors – especially if you're hoping to plant gladiolus bulbs in pots.

‘Gladioli can be planted in February, but only in pots placed in a cold frame or greenhouse,’ advises Richard Barker, commercial director at LBS Horticulture.

The ideal time to plant summer bulbs like gladioli outside is just a little further away.

‘Plant gladioli bulbs anywhere between mid-April to July, with July being the very last time of year you can plant them before their growth is affected by frost,’ says Steve Chilton, garden expert at LeisureBench.

‘I would say that May is the best month to plant them, as the weather at this time should be nice and warm for these hot-weather-loving plants.’

FAQs

Will gladioli flower in the first year?

Yes – gladioli usually flower between 10 and 14 weeks after they've been planted. Normally, that's around June and July time, depending on when you planted your gladiolus bulbs.

Can you leave gladiolus bulbs in the ground over winter?

Gladioli aren't hardy bulbs, so it's best to lift them if you want to carry them through the winter.

'Gladiolus can be planted in succession to extend the blooming period and should be lifted and stored in a dry, cool place over winter to protect them from frost,' advises Morris Hankinson, founder of Hopes Grove Nurseries.

So if you’re planting in pots, then you can get to planting your gladioli under cover this month. Otherwise, hold off until May to be safe.