General Description/History

A very popular pot plant worldwide, cyclamens come in a range of colours: red, white, purple and most commonly, pink and many are scented. There are about 20 species in the genus. Most forms commonly sold are inter-specific hybrids of C. persicum. These cultivars come in a large range of flower colours and forms, including ‘double flowers’, picotee forms and frilly petals. Breeding began in the mid-nineteenth century through selection and back-crossing, and resulting in flowers several times larger than the wild species. Much of this work took place in England and the Netherlands. Today, Cyclamen persicum cultivars are mass produced as pot-plants particularly in the Netherlands and Germany, using F1 hybrid seed strains. In Australia they are produced where in nurseries in the cooler regions of Victoria, NSW and Tasmania.

What to look for

• A few open flowers and many buds
• Check there are no yellowing leaves

Flower Care

1. Keep cool! Never place in full sun either outside or indoors.
2. Place pots outside on cool (but not frosty) nights as this will induce flowering.
3. Place pot in a pebble-filled tray of water.
4. Water daily; misting is also a good idea.
5. Feed monthly with a half strength liquid plant food.
6. Keep away from draughts.
7. Remove flowers and leaves as they die off.
8. Plants become dormant over summer – they are not dead! Reduce watering to once or twice a week and keep pots in a cool dark place. They should re-sprout in autumn.

Interesting Facts about this Flower

In many areas within the native range, cyclamen populations have been severely depleted by collection from the wild, often illegally, for the horticultural trade; some species are now endangered as a result. However, in a few areas, plant conservation charities have educated local people to control the harvest carefully at a sustainable level, including sowing seed for future crops, both sustaining the wild populations and producing a reliable long-term income. In Australia all cyclamens are propagated from commercial stock.

Botanical Name: Cyclamen persicum hybrids

Common Names: Cyclamen, Persian Violet, Sowbread

Stem Length: 

Country of Origin: Spain to Iran

Available Colours: Pink, Purple, Red, White

Season: Winter,Spring

Availability: June,July,August,September,October,November