How and When to Plant Gladiolus Bulbs

Before planting your gladiolus bulbs, it’s important to prepare the soil. Start by loosening the soil to about 12 inches deep using a spade or gardening fork. This helps the roots to grow easily. To make the soil healthier, mix in some organic compost. Compost adds nutrients to the soil and helps water drain better, which is important for gladiolus to grow strong.

Gladiolus grows best in soil that is slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. You can use a soil test kit to check if your soil is in the right range.

Start by digging holes about 4 to 6 inches deep using a gardening trowel or spade. To make sure the holes are at the right depth, keep a ruler or measuring tape handy. This helps make sure all the bulbs are planted at the same level for even growth.

Take a gladiolus bulb and place it in the hole with the pointy side facing up. The pointed tip is where the sprout will grow. Once the bulb is in place, gently cover it with soil and press the soil down lightly using your hands; wear gloves to protect it.

After planting, give the bulbs a good soak with the help of a watering can to help them settle into the soil. Gladiolus plants like their soil to be moist but not overly wet. Check the soil regularly to make sure it doesn’t dry out, especially during hot or dry weather. A consistent watering schedule will help the bulbs grow strong and healthy.

Add a 2–3-inch layer of mulch around your gladiolus bulbs. It helps retain moisture, keeps soil temperature steady, and reduces weed growth, making garden care easier. Just make sure not to pile mulch directly on the bulbs.

As your gladiolus plants grow taller, their stems can become weak and might bend or fall over, especially when they are full of blooms. To prevent this, you’ll need to support the plants with stakes. Insert a stake (a long stick or pole) into the ground near each plant, making sure it’s strong enough to hold the plant upright. Then, gently tie the stems to the stake using garden ties or soft string.

After the gladiolus plant is planted, it's important to monitor the plant from time to time. To help your gladiolus plants grow strong and produce more flowers, feed them with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks. This will provide them with the nutrients they need. Once the flowers start to fade, it's important to remove the dead blooms. This helps the plant focus on producing new flowers instead of wasting energy on old ones.