Plants are easy to cultivate and should be grown in small pots for best effect. They need constant moisture during the winter months and should not be allowed to dry out. This species can also be naturalised in a lawn as long as it receives sufficient winter moisture and is protected from the blades of the lawn mower.

The best way to grow these plants is from corms but they are not often readily available, except from specialist growers. Seed may be an easier option. Sow seed in small pots in autumn once the weather has cooled down. Use a soil mixture which consists of equal parts river sand and fine compost. Cover the seeds lightly with sand and keep the soil moist - the pots can even sit in a saucer of water to mimic their natural conditions. The seeds can take up to a month or more to germinate and once growing can be fed every two weeks with a liquid fertilizer. Fertilizing the plants during the first year will ensure that the bulbs will be of maximum size before being stored for the summer. The size of the bulb determines the probability of having flowers during the plant's second spring. If one is lucky enough to purchase bulbs then the plants should flower during their first spring. After flowering plants should be watered until the leaves begin to yellow, which indicates impending dormancy. The plants can then be dried off during the early summer months and the bulbs lifted to be stored in a dry cupboard or garage in paper, never plastic bags.

Pests are not generally a problem but the plants may be attacked by snails or occasionally thrips.