Growing freesias is relatively easy because these plants are hardy and can survive in a variety of different climates. They do best, however, when they are kept in well-drained soil and not allowed to get too hot. Freesias should be planted in full sun during a season that will give the plants plenty of time to establish their roots and to flower before the heat of summer sets in.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when growing freesias is that these plants do not do well if allowed to get too wet. They must be planted in soil that drains well, and sandy soil is ideal for freesias because water does not soak into it well, allowing the soil and the freesia's roots to dry out completely. Moisture in the air can also adversely affect freesias, especially if the air is hot as well as humid. In these types of climates, freesias can be planted in the fall, giving them plenty of cool months to establish roots, grow stems and leaves and then go into flower before the heat of summer sets in.
The easiest way to start growing freesias is to buy freesia bulbs. Though these plants can be grown from seed, planting established bulbs helps to ensure that the freesias will be able to go into flower quickly. Bulbs should be positioned with their pointed sides facing upwards and then planted in holes about 2 inches (5 centimeters) deep. The plants will grow roots for a couple of months, so it will take a while before any growth is seen. In climates that do not drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 degrees Celsius), bulbs can be planted in the fall, otherwise, they need to be planted after the weather warms in the spring.
Freesias prefer to be planted in full sun, but If they are planted in the shade, it is harder for the soil to dry out which could water log the roots ad kill the plants. People who are growing freesias should water and fertilize them regularly and allow the soil to dry out completely in-between waterings.
In most climates, it is possible to grow freesias out of the same bulbs for many years. The plants will appear to die off after flowering and all the leaves may fall off but the bulb will remain alive. In climates with hot, humid summers, the bulbs should be dug up and stored in a cool, dry place until the weather cools before being replanted. People growing freesias in mild, dry climates can leave the bulbs in the ground and wait for them to sprout again after a dormant period of a couple months.
