About
Cyclamen africanum is a tuberous perennial characterized by its heart-shaped, vibrant green foliage, which can reach lengths of up to 10 cm and features subtle pale green markings. In autumn, before the leaves emerge, this plant produces flowers in various shades of pink, each displaying deep maroon throats.
About the genus
Cyclamen are perennial plants that grow from tubers and feature rounded or occasionally angular foliage, frequently displaying appealing mottled patterns. Their flowers, which are nodding and distinctive in shape, consist of five petals that are reflexed and twisted, often exhibiting dark markings near the base.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Houseplants, Bulbs, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants
- Native to
- Algeria, Tunisia
- Toxicity
- Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a cool greenhouse in bright filtered light, in containers using peat-free, loam-based potting compost, water moderately in full leaf and use a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser, reduce water as leaves wither after flowering. Keep dry when dormant then resume watering and feeding as new growth appear. Repot when tubers fill their container
- Pruning
- No pruning necessary, tidy old leaves and flowers
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, as for hardy cyclamen
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to vine weevil, mice and glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cyclamen grey mould, particularly when grown under glass