Water
Water consistently during the growing season, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering significantly after flowering and allow the soil to dry out during dormancy.
Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
Also known as Common Corn-Flag · Common Cornflag · Common Gladiolus
Eastern Gladiolus (Gladiolus communis) is a graceful perennial herb producing spikes of pink to purple, often bi-colored flowers in late spring to early summer.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering.
Moderate
50% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist during growth, reduce in dormancy.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Prefers temperatures between 15-25°C during the growing season. Protect from frost.
Moderate
50% intensity
Feed monthly during growth with balanced fertilizer, then high potassium for blooms.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water consistently during the growing season, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering significantly after flowering and allow the soil to dry out during dormancy.
Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
Remove spent flower spikes as they fade to direct energy back into the plant and corms for future blooming. Cut back the foliage only after it has completely yellowed and died back naturally.
This allows the plant to replenish its reserves.
Propagate primarily through cormels (small offsets produced around the parent corm) which can be separated during dormancy. Cormels typically take 2-3 years to reach flowering size.
Seeds can be sown but are slow to germinate and may not come true to type.
Repot Gladiolus corms every 2-3 years, ideally in early spring before new growth begins. This helps prevent overcrowding and refreshes the soil. Inspect the corms for any signs of disease or damage before replanting.
Identify plants like this with ePlant AI
Snap a photo to get care tips and match similar species on the go.
Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Eastern Gladiolus (Gladiolus communis)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Iridaceae |
| Genus | Gladiolus |
| Species | Gladiolus communis |
Similar in genus Gladiolus
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
