5 frequently asked questions about freesias

1. Do freesias grow every year?

If you live somewhere where it either never (or rarely) freezes then yes, your freesias should grow back. They may even multiply by spreading fertilised seeds so you could have a garden bursting with colour every spring!

But, if you live in a colder climate where freezing in the winter is likely, the bulbs risk freezing and rotting in the ground. You can always dig up the freesia corms just before winter hits and save them for next year though. If you’re able to store the corms in a cool dry place you’ll be able to plant them again.

2. How long do freesia flowers last?

With proper care and maintenance, fresh-cut freesias can last up to three weeks! Take a look at our guide on how to care for your freesias to learn the best ways to look after and arrange your flowers.

If your freesias are planted outdoors, they’ll typically bloom in spring/summer (obviously depending on when you planted them). With proper care during the growing stage freesia flowers can last into the autumn months before they start to fade.

3. What does a freesia flower symbolise?

Freesias have a very interesting history behind them. Founded in South Africa by a botanist, he decided to name them after his friend, a German physician–botanist. Since then, freesias have always symbolised friendship. But, they’re also a symbol of trust, innocence, thoughtfulness and sweetness.

Because of their meanings, freesias make great gifts for friends and are often used in ceremonies such as baptisms and weddings. For more info on the symbolism and meaning of freesias take a look at our helpful guide.

4. How do I care for freesias?

Good news - cut freesias are actually very simple flowers to care for! They’re not demanding and don’t need lots of attention. We recommended changing the water, refreshing the flower food and removing fallen foliage every few days.

Planting and caring for your own freesias in the garden takes a little more work. The first step is making sure they’re in moist, but well-draining soil. Even when the freesias are growing and flowering the soil needs to be kept moist. They also like to be somewhere sunny, so a south-facing garden would be ideal. Before the blooming period, using a general-purpose flower fertiliser would really benefit them.

5. Are freesias easy to grow?

Freesias are pretty easy to grow and maintaining them isn’t too challenging either. So if you’re a budding gardener, freesias are a great flower to start with!

Growing freesias indoors is definitely the easier option out of the two. Plant the bulbs in a pot, keep the soil slightly moist and place them in a sunny window for the best results. Water them well during the growth period and you can expect to see them bloom in 10-12 weeks!

To grow freesias in the garden you’ll have to choose a nice, sunny spot with well-draining soil. And then dig the soil about 20cm in depth to plant them.

For an absolutely stunning display we think it’s best to plant them in groups rather than rows. Again, outdoor freesias will take about 10-12 weeks to bloom if you water them regularly.

If you have any other questions or need more freesia advice please feel free to contact our Bloom & Wild customer delight team who will be more than happy to help.