About
Cyclamen creticum is a compact, tuberous perennial characterized by its heart-shaped foliage. The leaves are dark green, often featuring silver marbling and spotting on the upper surface, while the undersides display a deep red hue. These leaves emerge in autumn, reaching maturity as the flowers begin to bloom in early spring. The flowers themselves are primarily white, occasionally displaying a subtle pink tint in their throats, and have reflexed petals that can measure up to 25mm in length.
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
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Up to 10 cm
- Spread
- 0-0.1 metre
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- Crete
- Fragrance
- Flower
- Toxicity
- Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a cool glasshouse or bulb-frame in a mix of equal parts loam, leaf mould, peat substitute and sharp sand. Plant with the tops of the tubers just at the surface. Provide bright, filtered light and moderate humidity. Water moderately when in growth but reduce humidity and water as the leaves fade. Keep completely dry when dormant. Apply a low-nitrogen liquid fertiliser every two months when in full leaf
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, sown in darkness as soon as ripe. Can be beneficial to soak seed for 10 hours then rinse, prior to sowing
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to red spider mite, cyclamen mite and vine weevil when grown under glass
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cyclamen grey mould and powdery mildews when grown under glass