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When to plant crocuses in Lyon: 26 October – end of December

In Lyon, crocus: plant from 26 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include PoPs du Champ des Saveurs (farm shop, 8 km) and Terres Lyonnaises (farm shop, 8 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

The average daily temperature here stays above 0 °C all winter, and at least three months average 7 °C or less: our rule of thumb for the winter cold spring bulbs need. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS.

Crocus in Lyon: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 0.6 °C.

Planting26 October – end of December
First autumn frost25 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 0.6 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:26 on 26 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:40

The same dates in Lyon hold for Garlic, Tulip, Daffodil and Hyacinth.

Crocus in Lyon: depth, winter cold, pests and pets

Plant Dutch crocuses (Crocus vernus) about 12 cm deep and 9 cm apart; smaller species go 7–10 cm deep (RHS).

In Lyon the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 21 weeks a year (our estimate from ten years of monthly weather). For this bulb Wisconsin Horticulture Extension gives a cold period of 15–17 weeks at about 2–10 °C. The winter here gives that in the ground, so the bulbs need no pre-chilling.

Crocuses multiply on their own (they naturalise); in a lawn, hold off mowing until their leaves die back (RHS).

Birds, squirrels and rodents damage crocuses; planting under metal mesh may reduce losses (RHS). Spring crocus gives dogs and cats vomiting and diarrhoea; do not confuse it with autumn crocus (Colchicum), which is very toxic (Pet Poison Helpline).

Sources: RHS, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, Pet Poison Helpline.

Crocus in nearby cities

All the nearest cities on our list plant crocus earlier than Lyon; the closest date is in Valence, 4 days earlier.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Saint-Étienne50 km18 October – end of December8 days earlier
Valence92 km22 October – end of December4 days earlier
Grenoble93 km25 September – 1 December31 days earlier
Annecy101 km15 October – end of December11 days earlier
Geneva112 km18 October – end of December8 days earlier
Clermont-Ferrand137 km13 October – end of December13 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Lyon

Planting stock goes into the ground from 26 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Lyon OpenStreetMap lists 43 garden centres, 4 farm-supply shops, 3 plant nurseries, 65 markets and 33 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Lyon?

In Lyon, crocus: plant from 26 October to the end of December. Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

When is the last spring frost in Lyon?

Last spring frost around 26 March, first autumn frost around 25 November.

Other crops in Lyon, with their dates