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How to grow gladioli
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Tuesday, 18 March 2025 at 11:00 am
Find out all you need to know about growing gladioli, in this detailed Grow Guide.
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Plant Size:
Height: 120
Spread: 30
Spacing:
10 apart
Depth:
15
Gladioli are often known as sword lilies due to their long, pointed leaves – their name comes from the Latin for ‘small sword’. It seems likely that this association led to the gladiolus becoming symbolic for strength of character and integrity. The distinctive tall flower spikes emerge in summer and come in a whole array of colours. Although they've suffered from an unfashionable reputation (despite being popular props for musicians and performers), they're coming back into favour. It's not hard to figure out why, as they're perfect for bringing colour to a sunny herbaceous border, providing good contrast with grasses and other flowering plants. They also look good in containers and make excellent cut flowers.
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In the above video, Monty Don demonstrates how to plant gladioli bulbs in a pot, to plant into the garden later.
How to grow gladioli
Grow gladioli in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Plant the bulbs in pots in early spring (apart from Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus, which is best planted in autumn) or in the ground in late spring. Make sure tall varieties are planted in a sheltered position. Divide congested clumps every few years.
Where to plant gladioli bulbs
Gladioli originate from hot, dry climates, in South Africa or Mediterranean countries. They require good drainage and plenty of sun. For best results grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
When to plant gladioli bulbs
Planting gladiolus corms. Tim Sandall
Plant gladioli bulbs in spring - there's no need to soak them beforehand. You can plant in pots from March as long as you keep them in a frost-free spot such as a greenhouse, or directly into the ground from May. The latest you can plant gladioli bulbs is July – any later than that and they won't flower in time before the frosts come. If you're planning to use them for successional colour, plant a handful a week or so apart from March onwards, to extend the display. Those planted in pots can simply be plunged into borders as they come into flower.
Plant 15cm deep in moist but well-drained soil. On heavier soils, add a generous handful of horticultural grit to the planting hole, to aid drainage.
How to care for gladioli
Water well during the growing season and stake plants before the flower spike emerges. While in flower, give your gladioli a tomato feed or comfrey feed every couple of weeks. For tender varieties, and in colder parts of the country, lift the corms each autumn and overwinter them in frost-free conditions. For hardier varieties, cover with a thick mulch in autumn to protect from cold snaps. Divide congested clumps every few years.
Find out how to give gladioli the best possible growing conditions, in our Quick Tips video with Lucy Hall:
How to cut gladioli for flower arrangements
If you're growing gladioli for cut flowers, plant a few corms every fortnight from May to July to ensure a steady supply of flowers. Cut flower spikes in the morning when the first flower or two are just beginning to open, and place in water immediately. Leave as much foliage behind as possible so that plants can photosynthesise and grow well next year.
How to propagate gladioli
Cutting back gladiolus corms for storing
Over time, clumps of gladioli become congested, resulting in weaker plants with few or no flowers. To prevent this, divide clumps every few years in autumn, selecting the best new corms for replanting the following spring.
Can I leave gladioli bulbs in the ground?
The traditional method of growing gladioli in the UK is to dig up the corms in autumn to overwinter indoors. However, with climate change, winters are currently milder than previously, and you may get away with leaving them in the ground, particularly if you live in the south. If you're prepared to risk losing your gladioli bulbs, cut back old stems and apply a thick mulch over the area in autumn. Alternatively, lift them and dry them before storing in trays in a frost-free spot for winter.
Pests and diseases
Sap-sucking gladiolus thrips can attack plants, causing white flecks to appear and sometimes flower buds will go brown and drop off. Prevent the spread of thrips by removing affected foliage and flowers. Gladioli can also fall prey to slugs, aphids and grey mould.
Advice on buying gladioli
- Gladioli come in a variety of heights and colours, so make sure you choose the right ones for you
- Gladioli do best in a moist but well-drained soil and often need staking
- Always check bulbs and corms for signs of mould and discard any affected ones before planting
Where to buy gladioli
- Crocus
- Primrose
- Sarah Raven
Gladioli varieties to try
Gladiolus 'Hastings'. Jason Ingram
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- Gladiolus 'Miss Green' – tall spikes of white-green flowers. Hailing from the Mediterranean region, Gladiolus 'Miss Green' is frost tender. Height x Spread: 90cm x 10cm
- Gladiolus 'Hastings' – tall spikes of orange/brown flowers. In warmer regions it may survive outdoors all year round, particularly if the corms are given a thick mulch in autumn. However in colder regions it's best to lift the corms each autumn to overwinter in frost-free conditions. H x S: 70cm x 10cm
- Gladiolus nanus 'Charm' – one of the hardier gladioli, this has masses of violet pink flowers enhanced by a pale white blotch at the lower lip of the flower. H x S: 70cm x 10cm
- Gladiolus 'Happy Weekend' – tall spikes of apricot flowers. H x S: 90cm x 10cm
- Gladiolus colvillei 'The Bride' – a fantastic gladiolus, bearing pretty, delicate white blooms from late-spring to mid-summer. Plant bulbs in autumn rather than spring. Not fully hardy. H x S: 60cm x 15cm
- Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus – this early-flowering gladiolus has vibrant magenta pink spikes of flower from late spring until early summer. H x S: 90cm x 10cm
- Gladiolus murielae – also known as Acidanthera murielae, the Abyssinian gladiolus has fragrant white flowers with deep maroon centres from August to October. H x S: 90cm x 10cm
Frequently asked questions
Do gladiolus bulbs spread? Gladiolus bulbs will gradually multiply, but they’ll take a long time to spread any distance. You can help them spread by digging up clumps of bulbs every few years, dividing them and replanting in new areas. Do gladiolus flowers come back every year? Gladioli are perennials, so providing you make sure they have winter protection where necessary, they should come back every year. Alternatively, they can be planted in containers and kept in a frost-free place over winter.
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