Plant guide
Autumn crocus
Colchicum autumnale
Autumn crocus is highly poisonous to cats and can cause life-threatening illness. Contact a veterinarian immediately after suspected ingestion, even before symptoms appear. It is different from spring crocuses.
What this guide covers: Colchicum autumnale only. Confirm the botanical identity; a photograph alone cannot establish plant identity.
Photo:
Photo details
Colchicum autumnale — Colchicum autumnale
By Chris Dixon (Stemonitis)
License: Public domain
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
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Photo:
Photo details
Colchicum autumnale — Colchicum autumnale
By Chris Dixon (Stemonitis)
License: Public domain
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
Autumn crocus seeds
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Keep away from cats. We do not recommend this plant for a home where cats could reach it.
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Look for Colchicum autumnale and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Colchicum autumnale
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Colchicum autumnale only. Confirm the botanical identity; a photograph alone cannot establish plant identity.
- Light
- Sunny position or Some direct sun
Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering
Keep soil moist but well drained.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
Seasonally dormant outdoors; no indoor temperature interval assigned.
- Humidity
No specific humidity target established.
- Potting
- Rich, well-drained loam.
- Through the year
- Leaves and flowers appear at different times. Care is identification/reference information, not a recommendation for cat-accessible planting.
Growing-guide sources
- Colchicum autumnale ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-16
Colchicum autumnale only. Confirm the botanical identity; a photograph alone cannot establish plant identity.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-16. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Severity
- Severity not established
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.