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When to plant crocuses in Paris: 21 October – end of December

In Paris, crocus: plant from 21 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Aux Quatre Vents (farm shop, 1 km) and La Main Verte (farm shop, 2 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 Paris: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.8 °C.

Planting21 October – end of December
First autumn frost20 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.8 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:32 on 21 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:15

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

Crocus in Paris: 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 Paris the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 22 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

Around Paris, Reims is 3 days earlier and Le Havre 22 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Orléans112 km26 October – end of December5 days later
Reims130 km18 October – end of December3 days earlier
Troyes142 km19 October – end of December2 days earlier
Le Havre177 kmby 12 November22 days later
Le Mans185 km25 October – end of December4 days later
Caen201 kmby 5 November15 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Paris

Planting stock goes into the ground from 21 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Paris OpenStreetMap lists 39 garden centres, 2 farm-supply shops, 9 plant nurseries, 256 markets and 22 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Paris?

In Paris, crocus: plant from 21 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 Paris?

Last spring frost around 8 April, first autumn frost around 20 November.

Other crops in Paris, with their dates