If you are looking to add a bit of colour and brightness to your garden, you won’t go wrong with Cyclamen Persicum. This plant is a flowering perennial that grows from bulbs and produces dainty blossoms in shades of pink, white or purple.
It blooms during the winter months when other plants are dormant making it an ideal choice for adding beauty to your landscape in the colder weather. Cyclamen Persicum is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care once established.
It prefers well-draining soil and can be cultivated in partial shade or full sun environments as long as it has access to plenty of moisture. The foliage of this plant is also quite attractive with its dark green heart-shaped leaves patterned with silver spots.
Cyclamen at a glance
| Common Name | Cyclamen |
| Scientific Name | Cyclamen Persicum |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Full maturity | 6-12 months |
| Height (max) | 23 cm |
| Width (max) | 23 cm |
| Pet safe? | No |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect sunlight |
| Soil Ph | 5.6–5.9 |
| Native to | Italy and the eastern Mediterranean region |
Growing Cyclamen indoors in Australia
Growing indoors in Australia is becoming increasingly popular, especially with the growing trend of houseplants. Many Australians are opting to have a garden inside their home and one of the best plants for this purpose is Cyclamen Persicum, otherwise known as cyclamen.
Cyclamen is an attractive, flowering indoor plant that can be grown year-round in temperate climates like those found in Australia. With its eye-catching and varied foliage, it will add colour and texture to any living space while being quite easy to care for.
Cyclamen flower from winter through spring and come in shades of pink, white or purple throughout the year. They can also tolerate some shade so they won’t take up too much room if you don’t have a lot of natural light indoors.
Quick care tips
With its bright, colourful petals and long-lasting blooms, Cyclamen persicum is a popular choice for gardens and potted plants. But if you’re just starting out with this plant, you may not know what care it needs to thrive.
To make sure your cyclamen is happy and healthy, follow these quick tips: First of all, give your cyclamen plenty of light. This type of flowering plant prefers bright indirect light or even morning sun.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy; water it regularly during its active growing season in late summer to early spring. During the dormant season in summertime, hold back on watering to prevent root rot.
Cyclamen (Cyclamen Persicum) (Source)
Caring for your Cyclamen
Plants are an excellent way to brighten up any room, and the Cyclamen Persicum is no exception. Not only does this plant bring a beautiful array of colours – usually shades of pink, purple, red and white – but it also comes with minimal care requirements.
To ensure your Cyclamen Persicum stays healthy and blooms all year round, here’s what you need to know about taking care of this gorgeous flowering plant. Regular watering is essential for keeping the cyclamen happy; water when the soil surface is dry to the touch.
Avoid wetting the foliage as much as possible since water on the leaves can cause them to rot. The key is to keep its roots hydrated without overdoing it.
Light
Light is one of the most important components of a well-rounded garden. The correct amount and type of light will determine how successful your plantings are and can affect their growth, size, colour, and health.
Growing cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) requires an understanding of its light needs in order to ensure it flourishes in your garden space. Cyclamens prefer bright, indirect sunlight.
If grown indoors, they should be placed near a sunny window that receives direct sunlight for only part of the day. Cyclamens do not tolerate full sun exposure well; too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves or cause them to yellow. If you’re growing cyclamens outdoors, place them in a shady spot that gets several hours of filtered sunlight per day.
Water
When it comes to growing cyclamen, water is an essential element. The cyclamen (Cyclamen Persicum) is a beloved flowering houseplant that blooms from autumn to early spring and has attractive foliage with silver-gray mottling.
To ensure flowering of the plant, proper watering practices should be implemented. Water the cyclamen at its roots using lukewarm water and allow it to drain thoroughly.
It’s important that the soil remains moist but never soggy; too much water can cause root rot and kill the plant. Once established, you should water about once or twice each week or when the topsoil appears dry. You may need to adjust your frequency of watering depending on your particular environment — such as if it’s extra warm in your home — so be sure to check on the soil moisture regularly.
Fertiliser
Fertiliser is essential for growing healthy, beautiful cyclamen plants. Not just any fertiliser will do – cyclamen require a balanced mix of nutrients in order to thrive.
By selecting the right fertiliser and following the instructions on the packaging carefully, you can ensure that your cyclamen flourish for many years to come. When it comes to fertilising cyclamen, it’s generally recommended that you use a slow-release or water-soluble formula to provide your plants with the nutrients they need over an extended period of time.
Make sure you choose one specifically designed for flowering plants and pay close attention to the application instructions on the package – too much fertiliser can cause problems like leaf burn or root burn. Organic fertiliser is also an option if you’d prefer not to use synthetic products.
Temperature
Temperature is one of the most important environmental factors when it comes to growing cyclamen plants. Cyclamen persicum, or Florist’s Cyclamen, originates from warm Mediterranean regions and needs specific temperature conditions to thrive.
During the summer months, cyclamens should ideally be kept in a spot that has temperatures between 13-18 degrees Celcius during daylight hours and 5-10 degrees during nighttime hours. In wintertime, when this plant goes dormant and stops producing flowers, lower temperatures are tolerated – down to about 3 degrees Celcius.
If grown indoors all year round, maintain a consistent temperature of 50-65 degrees throughout the day and night. If you’re planting them outside in your garden or yard make sure they receive enough shade during the hottest part of the day as direct sunlight can cause their leaves to burn.
Humidity
Humidity is an important and often overlooked factor when it comes to gardening. Many people think that plants just need sun and water, but the truth is that different plants thrive in different environmental conditions.
For those who are looking to add a touch of beauty to their garden with the Cyclamen Persicum, humidity is key for successful growth and flowering. The Cyclamen Persicum requires high humidity levels ranging from 40-60%.
These levels allow the roots to absorb enough moisture while also keeping them from becoming overly saturated and damaged. The blooms of the Cyclamen need this high level of humidity in order to stay vibrant and healthy, so making sure your soil is consistently moist will ensure they remain beautiful throughout their growing season. In addition to providing adequate moisture levels, you should make sure your Cyclamen gets plenty of indirect light each day as well as good air circulation.
Learn more about how humidity can affect indoor plants.
Flowering
Flowering is one of the most beautiful aspects of plants and flowers. Cyclamen persicum, otherwise known as the florist’s cyclamen, is a popular flowering houseplant due to their vibrant pink and white blooms.
It not only has striking beauty but also can be used medicinally to treat digestive problems and respiratory illnesses. Growing cyclamen from seed or division of corms is easy and rewarding! Growth conditions are important for successful flowering in cyclamens.
They prefer indirect light with temperatures between 13-18 degrees Celcius, making them ideal for indoor growing during cold winter months. Watering should be done moderately – keep soil moist but avoid overwatering as this may lead to root rot or other diseases. Additionally, fertilising at least twice per month will help nourish these delicate blooms throughout the season.
Pests
Pests can be a major problem for anyone growing cyclamen (Cyclamen Persicum). These pesky creatures can quickly ruin an otherwise healthy plant.
Fortunately, with some preventative measures and appropriate treatments, you can protect your cyclamen from potential damage. The most common pests associated with cyclamens are aphids, mealybugs, mites and snails.
Aphids feed on the sap of the plants and can cause discolouration of flowers and stunted growth. Mealybugs are small white insects that feed on foliage, causing wilting and leaf drop. Mites generally form webs around the leaves of the plant while they suck out its juices, leading to yellowing or bronzing of the leaves.
Find out more about common indoor plant pests in Australia.
Diseases
Diseases can be a major problem when growing Cyclamen. This flowering plant is a popular choice for indoor gardens, but it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of disease so you can take steps to treat and prevent it.
The most common diseases in Cyclamen plants include root rot, crown rot, gray mold, and viruses. Root rot is caused by overwatering the plant, leading to wet conditions that promote fungal growth.
The signs of this disease are wilting leaves, yellowing foliage and brown spots on the foliage or roots. To prevent this from happening be sure not to over-water your cyclamen plant; only water when the top 2–3 cm or two of soil feels dry to the touch.
Soil
Soil is an important component of successfully growing cyclamen. Cyclamen persicum, a type of flowering plant native to the eastern Mediterranean region, requires well-drained and light soil for optimal growth.
In its natural habitat it grows in a variety of rocky soils, from coastal cliffs to mountain ravines. When grown indoors as houseplants, the same requirements must be met for healthy plants with abundant blooms.
A combination of equal parts peat moss and vermiculite works well for cyclamen potting soil because it holds moisture yet drains easily. Amend the mixture with 10 percent perlite or coarse sand to help improve drainage further. The pH level should also be tested; cyclamens prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6 and 7.
Learn how to lower your soil PH.
Pot size
Growing Cyclamen persicum, or florist’s cyclamen, is a great way to add vibrant colours and texture to a garden. This perennial flower is easy to care for and offers long-lasting blooms in the winter months.
When selecting a pot for your cyclamen, it’s important to choose the right size. The ideal pot size for growing cyclamen should be comparable with the plant’s root system; shallow but wide containers are preferred over deep ones.
If your pot is too large, it will retain too much water which can lead to root rot. On the other hand, if it’s too small, there may not be enough space for adequate drainage or nutrient uptake.
Pruning your Cyclamen
Pruning is a critical part of any gardening job, and Cyclamen Persicum is no different. When caring for this beautiful flowering plant, regular pruning helps it to stay strong and healthy.
Pruning also helps the garden or yard look neat and tidy. For optimal growth, prune off dead or dying foliage with sharp shears or scissors.
Removing these old leaves allows fresh new ones to emerge and bloom in their place. It’s important to take care when pruning Cyclamen Persicum so as not to damage the plant’s root structure underneath the soil surface. To ensure optimal health, be sure to make clean cuts close to the base of each branch as possible without cutting into stems that are still green and growing.
Propagating your Cyclamen
Propagation is an essential part of caring for your cyclamen persicum. This perennial flowering plant, native to the Mediterranean region, can be propagated and grown in a variety of climates.
It’s easy to propagate and grow these plants from seed or cuttings, and they make beautiful additions to any home garden. For those looking to propagate their cyclamen from seeds, it’s important to keep in mind that the process can take a few months from start to finish.
Start by collecting fresh seeds from mature plants with fully-developed fruits or pods; then spread them over dampened soil in small pots. Place them somewhere warm and moist where they will receive indirect sunlight until the first shoots start appearing – usually within two weeks.
Is Cyclamen poisonous?
Cyclamens, also known by their botanical name of Cyclamen persicum, are popular houseplants. Their beautiful flowers range in colours from white to pink and purple, and some even have a pleasant fragrance.
While cyclamens are lovely to look at and smell, they’re also part of the primula family which means they contain toxins that can be harmful if ingested. It’s important to know the risks associated with growing cyclamens when deciding on a houseplant for your home.
The main toxin contained in cyclamens is saponin which can cause irritation to the skin or mucous membranes if touched or ingested. Although it is not fatal, it is still very dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
Featured Image: Source
