About
Cyclamen persicum is a tuberous plant that blooms in winter or spring, reaching heights of 10 to 20 centimeters. Its leaves are heart-shaped and dark green, featuring distinctive silver patterns. The plant produces fragrant flowers that can be white or pink, characterized by upward-swept petals with carmine-colored 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
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Houseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse, Bulbs
- 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
- Houseplants, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- E Mediterranean
- 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 indoors or under glass in containers of peat-free, loam-based compost with the tops of the tubers just above the soil surface. Maintain bright filtered light with moderate humidity and a minimum winter temperature of 13 to 16°C. Avoid draughts and hot dry air. When in growth water moderately and apply a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser fortnightly. Reduce water after flowering and keep dry when dormant
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, in darkness as soon as ripe at 12 to 15°C. Can be beneficial to soak seed for 10 hours prior to sowing
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mice and squirrels, and to vine weevil when grown in containers
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cyclamen grey mould and black root rot