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When to plant crocuses in Tokyo: 14 November – end of December

In Tokyo, crocus: plant from 14 November 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.

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 Tokyo: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -0.1 °C.

Planting14 November – end of December
First autumn frost14 December
Coldest nightsJanuary, -0.1 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:20 on 14 November
Daylight at the winter solstice9:44

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

Crocus in Tokyo: 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 Tokyo the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 15 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 Tokyo, Sendai is 21 days earlier and Niigata 6 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Hamamatsu209 kmby 18 November4 days later
Niigata255 km20 November – end of December6 days later
Nagoya259 km10 November – end of December4 days earlier
Sendai305 km24 October – end of December21 days earlier
Kyoto363 km7 November – end of December7 days earlier
Osaka397 km17 November – end of December3 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Tokyo

Planting stock goes into the ground from 14 November to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Tokyo OpenStreetMap lists 30 garden centres, 3 farm-supply shops, 1 plant nursery, 28 markets and 31 farm shops (collected 28 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Tokyo?

In Tokyo, crocus: plant from 14 November 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 Tokyo?

Last spring frost around 17 March, first autumn frost around 14 December.

Other crops in Tokyo, with their dates