When to plant crocuses in Punta Arenas: 8 March – end of June

In Punta Arenas, crocus: plant from 8 March to the end of June.

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 Punta Arenas: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in July; the coldest, July, averages -0.3 °C.

Planting	8 March – end of June
First autumn frost	7 April
Coldest nights	July, -0.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	13 July
Daylight	13:05 on 8 March
Daylight at the winter solstice	7:32

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

Crocus in Punta Arenas: 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 Punta Arenas the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 52 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 Punta Arenas, Coyhaique is 83 days earlier and Puerto Montt 60 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Río Gallegos	206 km	7 March – end of June	1 day earlier
Ushuaia	250 km	27 December – 18 May	71 days earlier
Coyhaique	848 km	15 December – 25 May	83 days earlier
Comodoro Rivadavia	848 km	by 24 April	47 days later
Trelew	1,177 km	by 29 April	52 days later
Puerto Montt	1,309 km	by 7 May	60 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Punta Arenas

Planting stock goes into the ground from 8 March to the end of June; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Punta Arenas OpenStreetMap lists 1 market (collected 27 October 2026).

Mercado Municipal de Punta Arenas — market
1 km

Questions