Autumn crocus
Colchicum autumnale
Also called Meadow saffron, Naked ladies and Colchicum
Garden plant · BulbsIt flowers naked in September with no leaves at all, then puts up big floppy leaves in spring. Every part is seriously poisonous.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 9 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun to light shade
- Feed
- Not needed
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a cold winter RHS H5, to -15°C
- Size
- 0.15 m tall · 0.08 m across
- Lifecycle
- Bulb
- Origin
- Europe and North Africa
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses. Signs: vomiting blood, diarrhoea, shock, damage to several organs, and bone marrow that stops making blood cells.
PeopleHarmful if eaten
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS category B — toxic if eaten. The toxin is colchicine.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-03.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.