Gladiolus Growing Guides
How to Grow Gladiolus in South Africa
Gladiolus are surprisingly easy to grow once you understand their growing cycle.
Plant a corm in spring and it produces tall leaves, a magnificent flower spike and, below the ground, a brand-new corm that can grow again the following season.
Our Gladiolus Growing Guides follow that journey from planting through flowering, cutting and caring for your corms at the end of the season.
If you are growing gladiolus for the first time, start at the beginning and follow along.
1. Getting to Know Gladiolus
Gladiolus grow from corms, rather than true bulbs.
During the growing season, the original corm provides the plant with energy while a new corm develops for the following season. Small cormlets may also develop around it.
Understanding this cycle helps explain why caring for your gladiolus shouldn't stop when the last flower fades.
[Coming Guide: Gladiolus Corms – How They Grow and Multiply]
2. When to Plant Gladiolus in South Africa
Timing matters.
Gladiolus enjoy warm, well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine. Planting into soil that is still too cold can increase the risk of problems before the plant even gets properly started.
When to Plant Gladiolus in South Africa
Our seasonal planting guide explains when we plant gladiolus and how planting time can vary between warmer and cooler regions of South Africa.
It also explains how staggered planting can help extend your flowering season.
[Read: When to Plant Gladiolus in South Africa – A Complete Guide]
3. Planting Gladiolus Corms
Choose a sunny position with well-drained soil and prepare your beds before planting.
Planting depth will depend partly on corm size, and enough spacing between plants helps provide airflow and room for healthy growth.
How to Plant and Grow Gladiolus in South Africa
Our complete growing guide covers soil preparation, planting depth, spacing and the growing conditions gladiolus need.
[Read: How to Grow Gladiolus in South Africa]
4. Watering and Feeding Gladiolus
Once your gladiolus begin growing, consistent care becomes important.
Their water requirements change as they move from sprouting to active growth and then into flower-spike development.
And don't stop caring for them the moment the flowers are finished — the plant is still busy developing next season's corm below the soil.
Watering and Feeding Gladiolus
Learn how we water and feed gladiolus through the different stages of their growing cycle.
[Read: How to Grow Gladiolus in South Africa – Watering, Feeding, Pest and Disease Guide]
5. Supporting Growing Gladiolus
Some gladiolus varieties become very tall, particularly those selected for cut-flower production.
Wind, heavy rain and the weight of a large flower spike can cause stems to lean or fall.
Supporting your plants early can save a great deal of heartache later.
[Read: How to Grow Gladiolus in South Africa]
6. Growing Gladiolus for Cut Flowers
This is where gladiolus really shine.
Their tall stems and striking flower spikes make them wonderful cut flowers, but variety choice matters.
Best Gladiolus Varieties for Cut Flowers in South Africa
Some varieties offer particularly strong stems, useful flowering times and beautiful colours for cutting.
In this guide we look at some of our favourite gladiolus varieties for the vase, market bucket and bouquet.
[Read: Best Gladiolus Varieties for Cut Flowers in South Africa]
When and How to Cut Gladiolus
Knowing when to harvest a gladiolus spike can make a big difference to its vase life.
[Coming Guide: When and How to Cut Gladiolus for the Vase]
7. Gladiolus Pests and Diseases
Thrips are one of the most important gladiolus pests to watch for.
Good plant health, airflow and careful observation throughout the growing season can help you spot trouble before serious damage occurs.
Gladiolus Pest and Disease Guide
Learn what to look for and how we manage common gladiolus problems during the growing season.
[Read: How to Grow Gladiolus in South Africa – Watering, Feeding, Pest and Disease Guide]
8. After Your Gladiolus Have Flowered
Don't cut away healthy green leaves when the flowers finish.
Those leaves are still working.
Below the soil, the plant is developing and feeding the new corm that will become next season's gladiolus.
Continue caring for the plant until the foliage naturally begins to yellow and die back.
[Read: How to Grow Gladiolus in South Africa]
9. Lifting and Storing Gladiolus Corms
Once the plant has completed its growing cycle, it is time to think about the corm below the soil.
Depending on your climate and growing conditions, your corms may be lifted, cleaned and stored before planting again.
This is also when you will discover the little cormlets your plants have produced.
[Coming Guide: How to Lift and Store Gladiolus Corms]
10. And Then We Plant Again
One corm goes into the soil.
A plant grows, a magnificent flower spike appears and, quietly underground, the next generation is already forming.
That's the gladiolus growing cycle.
These Gladiolus Growing Guides will continue to grow as we share what we have learnt producing gladiolus here in South Africa.
[Shop Gladiolus Corms]
Happy growing!
Mareli
Love Dahlias