Plant family
Irises & crocuses — Iridaceae
101 species across 14 genera in the Growli library
The iris family is built on corms, rhizomes and bulbs — bearded and Siberian irises, crocuses, gladioli, freesias, crocosmia and a wealth of South African bulbs — nearly all with sword-shaped leaves in a fan.
Browse irises & crocuses by genus
All irises & crocuses we cover
- Afghan Iris
- African Cornflag
- Angel's Fishing Rod
- Aunt Eliza Montbretia
- Autumn Crocus
- Autumn Crocus Speciosus
- Baboon Flower
- Beatrice Watsonia
- Blue Tulp
- Bokhara Iris
- Bugle Lily
- Bulb Sparaxis
- Bulbil Bugle Lily
- Butterfly Gladiolus
- Byzantine Gladiolus
- Cape Bugle Lily
- Clustered Freesia
- Common Gladiolus
- Copper Iris
- Crested Iris
- Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie'
- Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Jackanapes'
- Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Lucifer'
- Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Solfatare'
- Crocosmia masoniorum
- Crocus
- Crocus 'Jeanne d'Arc'
- Crocus 'Pickwick'
- Crocus chrysanthus 'Cream Beauty'
- Crocus sativus
- Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant'
- Danford Iris
- Dutch Iris
- Dwarf Bearded Iris
- Dwarf Crocus
- Field Gladiolus
- Freesia
- Freesia 'Pink Marble'
- Freesia 'Royal Blue'
- Freesia 'Yellow Passion'
- Freesia refracta
- Garden Gladiolus
- Giant Montbretia
- Gladiolus 'Espresso'
- Gladiolus 'Impressive'
- Gladiolus 'Purple Flora'
- Gladiolus 'Traderhorn'
- Gladiolus callianthus
- Golden Crocus
- Green Ixia
- Harlequin Flower
- Histrioides Iris
- Iris
- Iris 'Benton Susan'
- Iris 'Black Gamecock'
- Iris 'Clarence'
- Iris 'Immortality'
- Iris 'Jane Phillips'
- Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin'
- Iris ensata
- Iris laevigata
- Iris laevigata 'Variegata'
- Iris pseudacorus
- Iris pseudacorus 'Variegatus'
- Iris reticulata 'Harmony'
- Iris versicolor
- Iris virginica
- Italian Gladiolus
- Juno Iris
- Lamance Iris
- Magnificent Juno Iris
- Many-Flowered Cornflag
- Many-spiked Ixia
- Marsh Afrikaner
- Montbretia 'Lucifer'
- Naked Crocus
- Narrow-leaved Watsonia
- Netted Iris
- Nodding Wand Flower
- Painted Lady Gladiolus
- Panicled Corn Lily
- Parrot Gladiolus
- Peacock Moraea
- Pillans' Watsonia
- Pretty Crocus
- Rosy Gladiolus
- Sand Crocus
- Scarlet Freesia
- Siberian Iris
- Sieber's Crocus
- Spanish Iris
- Spotted Corn Lily
- Stinking Iris
- Tiger Flower
- Tommies Crocus
- Waterfall Gladiolus
- White Freesia
- Wine Cups Babiana
- Winter Iris
- Yellow Crocus
- Zigzag Iris
Irises & crocuses — frequently asked questions
Are irises & crocuses toxic to cats and dogs?
Most irises & crocuses are not pet-safe. Of the 101 irises & crocuses in the Growli library, 93 (92%) carry a toxic or mildly-toxic ASPCA classification and 8 are pet-safe. They are not uniformly safe, so always confirm the exact species on its pet-safety page before trusting it around cats or dogs.
How much light do irises & crocuses need?
Most irises & crocuses want plenty of direct sun — 95 of the 101 in our library do best there. If yours stretches toward the window or loses its variegation it needs more light; scorched or bleached leaves mean it is getting too much.
Are irises & crocuses easy to care for?
Some irises & crocuses suit experienced growers — several want strong light, sharp drainage or a specific seasonal rhythm. Check the individual species page for the exact regime before you buy.
What is the Iridaceae family?
The Iridaceae family — the irises & crocuses — groups 101 species across 14 genera in the Growli library, most prominently Iris, Gladiolus, Crocus. Members share a broadly similar light, water and soil pattern, which is why it pays to learn the family before the individual plant.