About
Primula malacoides (Mo), baby primrose, is an evergreen or short-lived perennial, often grown as an annual, forming frilly-margined, downy rosettes to 10 cm across. In winter and spring, elegant single or double flowers in purple, pink or white are borne in whorls on slender stems to 45 cm. An excellent cool-greenhouse or conservatory plant.
About the genus
Primula are herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials forming rosettes of simple leaves and producing salver-shaped, bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers, solitary or in umbels or whorls on erect stems. An enormously varied genus ranging from compact alpines to stately border perennials.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
Native toChina
Care notes
CultivationGrow on plants in a potting mix of 4 parts peat-free, loam-based compost and 1 part each grit and leaf mould. Position in bright, filtered light in a cool room and mist plants daily
PruningDeadhead to extend flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in summer for flowering plants the following winter. Surface sow onto moist, well-drained seed compost
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds (botrytis)