Plant Details

Crocus sativus

Saffron

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Common names

28 names · 20 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Saffron[1]
  • Saffron Crocus[1]
Other languages (19)
Dutch
  • Saffraan
  • Saffraankrokus[1]
French
  • Crocus à safran[1]
  • Safran
  • Safran cultivé[1]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • šafrán setý[1]
Finnish
  • maustesahrami[1]
German
Hungarian
  • Jóféle sáfrány[1]
Icelandic
  • Saffrankrókus[1]
Italian
  • Zafferano vero[1]
Japanese
  • サフラン[1]
  • 咱夫藍[1]
Polish
  • Szafran uprawny[1]
Russian
  • Шафран посевной[1]
Sanskrit
Sinhala
  • කුංකුම[1]
Slovak
  • šafran siaty[1]
Spanish
Turkish
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Crocus sativus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Saffron Crocus — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • Crocus à safran — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • Safran cultivé — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • Saffrankrókus — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • Шафран посевной — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • šafrán setý — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • サフラン — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • කුංකුම — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • Safran — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • safrà — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • azafrán — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • 番紅花 — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • 番红花 — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • safran — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • Jóféle sáfrány — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • saffron — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • Zafferano vero — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • Szafran uprawny — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • 藏红花 — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • 西红花 — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • 咱夫藍 — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • maustesahrami — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • šafran siaty — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • Kunkuma — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • 藏紅花 — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.
  • Saffraankrokus — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 118933; Crocus sativus.

General information

Scientific name: Crocus sativus
Accepted name (Kew): Crocus sativus L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Iridaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Crocus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Saffron
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.15–0.25 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.05–0.1 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: None
Growth habit: Erect

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Root, Condiment, Tea
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Dye, Fragrant

Description

The flower styles of saffron are often used as flavorings and yellow colorants in various foods, including bread, soups, sauces, rice, and pudding. They are an essential ingredient in traditional dishes such as paella, bouillabaisse, risotto Milanese, and various Italian dishes. These styles contain a lot of riboflavin and are soluble in water. However, the yield per plant is low: approximately 4,000 stigmas are needed to produce 25 grams of saffron. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, and it takes 150,000 flowers and 400 hours of work to obtain 1 kilogram of dried saffron. About 25 kilograms of saffron can be harvested from one hectare of plants. Although only small amounts of saffron are needed due to its intense flavor and color, it is often mixed with cheaper alternatives such as marigold and safflower. The flower styles are also used as a tea substitute. The root of the plant is edible after cooking, but the tubers are toxic to young animals, so care should be taken.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/10
Harvest ends: 15/11

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1194767; name ID 327117; Crocus L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1192824; name ID 327454; Crocus sativus L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Crocus sativus

    Taxonomic data from WCVP, version 16.0, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 5406107, ID ZL2V: Crocus sativus L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Crocus sativus — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .