Crocosmia
Sword-leaved perennials with bright red and orange summer flowers
Crocosmia is a group of perennial plants from the iris family, grown for their vivid red and orange flowers. They come from grassland regions in southern and eastern Africa and are now popular in gardens around the world, with many hybrids and cultivars.
- Crocosmia grows from chains of underground corms.
- Flowers appear in vivid red and orange from summer to autumn.
- The hybrid Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora is widely grown and sometimes invasive.
- One species is found only in Madagascar.
- Several cultivars have won garden awards.
What does Crocosmia look like?
Crocosmia plants grow from underground corms and can be either evergreen or lose their leaves in winter. Their leaves are long, sword-shaped, and arranged along the stem. The flower stalks are branched and arching, carrying clusters of 4 to 20 flowers in shades of red and orange. Each flower sits directly on the stem and opens from early summer into autumn. The plants can form dense clumps and, in some places, spread rapidly.
Where does Crocosmia come from?
These plants have their roots in the grasslands and open areas of southern and eastern Africa, with one species found only in Madagascar. The name Crocosmia comes from Greek, referring to the saffron-like scent released by dried leaves in hot water. The alternative name 'montbretia' honors a French botanist and is often used for garden hybrids, especially in the British Isles.
When and how Crocosmia blooms
Crocosmia grows from chains of corms, which are underground storage organs. New corms form above older ones, and the lowest corms have roots that pull them deeper into the soil. The plants can be divided and replanted in spring. They flower from summer into autumn, producing their colorful spikes in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
How Crocosmia is used
Gardeners value Crocosmia for its bright, long-lasting flowers and easy growth. Some hybrids, especially Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora, have spread widely and can become invasive outside their native range. The plants are also grown for their ornamental leaves and are featured in garden shows, with several cultivars recognized for their quality.
Kinds of Crocosmia
The genus includes several species, such as C. aurea, C. paniculata, and C. masoniorum, each with its own range and flower form. The hybrid Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora is widely grown and has naturalized in parts of Europe and beyond. Over 400 cultivars exist, offering a range of flower sizes and colors.
What Crocosmia means
Crocosmia is a familiar sight in gardens and has become a symbol of summer in some regions. In the British Isles, the name 'montbretia' is often used for naturalized orange-flowered hybrids. Some cultivars have received awards from horticultural societies. In some areas, Crocosmia is considered invasive and is managed to prevent it from overtaking native plants.
Questions people ask about Crocosmia
Where does Crocosmia come from?
Crocosmia originates in the grasslands and open areas of southern and eastern Africa, with one species native to Madagascar.
What does Crocosmia look like?
It has sword-shaped leaves and arching stems with clusters of red and orange flowers that bloom from summer into autumn.
How is Crocosmia grown?
It is grown from corms, which can be divided and replanted. The plants thrive in sunny, well-drained spots and flower in summer and autumn.
Is Crocosmia invasive?
Some hybrids, especially Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora, have become invasive in places like the UK, Ireland, and parts of Australia and the United States.
What is Crocosmia used for?
It is mainly grown for its ornamental value in gardens, with some cultivars recognized for their quality and beauty.
Good reading and sources
- Crocosmia 'Hellfire'Royal Horticultural Society, Article
- How to grow crocosmiasBBC Gardeners' World, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Crocosmia", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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