Cyclamen persicum is a type of flowering plant in the Primulaceae family. It’s often referred to as “Persian Cyclamen” or “Florist’s Cyclamen.” You can find it all over the regions of Turkey, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon. It’s also commonly found growing in Algeria and Tunisia and on some islands of Greece.
They are incredibly popular among florists for their showy flowers and gorgeous foliage, breathing life into any indoor garden. They can be grown outside in USDA zones 9-11, but they do best when protected from frost. The most popular color is pink, although other colors are available, including red and white. Unfortunately, these species are susceptible to frost and are best grown indoors.
Cyclamen persicum Main Characteristics
| Common Name | Cyclamen, Persian cyclamen, Florist’s cyclamen |
| Botanical Name | Cyclamen persicum |
| Synonyms | Cyclamen albidum, Cyclamen aleppicum, Cyclamen antiochium, Cyclamen hederaceum, Cyclamen latifolium, Cyclamen punicum, Cyclamen pyrolifolium,, Cyclamen tunetanum Cyclamen utopicum, Cyclamen vernale, Cyclamen vulgare, Cyclaminus persica |
| Family | Primulaceae |
| Genus | Cyclamen |
| Type | Herbaceous Perennial, Bulb |
| Native Range | Algeria, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey |
| Common Cultivars | Concerto Apollo, Halios White, Laser Rose, Laser White, Miracle Deep Rose, Miracle White, Sierra Scarlet, Sierra Fuchsia |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | 9 to 11 |
| Mature Size | Height: 0.50-0.75 feet; Spread: 0.50-0.75 feet |
| Bloom Time | November to March |
| Foliage | Colorful |
| Propagation methods | by seed, by division |
| Sun | Dappled Sunlight, Partial Shade |
| Soil | Good Drainage, Moist |
| Toxicity | Toxic to Humans, Dogs, Cats, Horses |
How to care for Cyclamen persicum
The Cyclamen persicum is a flower that can be difficult to grow and may not always rebloom. For this reason, many people treat them as temporary indoor plants instead of long-lasting flowers they could easily be.
Their bloom lasts for over three months, so this is a perfectly viable option. But the Florist’s Cyclamen is a plant that can easily last for years. If you want your own to be as durable, take a look at our in-depth guide!
Light and Location
Cyclamen persicum requires an environment with indirect light and cold temperatures. Try not to expose them to direct sunlight or hot environments because this can cause easily cause their health to deteriorate! A north-facing windowsill would make an excellent location for them as it gets filtered sun throughout most days but remains chilly at night.
Watering
The best watering time for this plant is when the soil is dry. Don’t allow it to become soggy; it should feel moist to the touch after a watering session. The key to watering your plants is making sure none of the water gets on the stems or the leaves (especially the crown, as that is the most sensitive part). Water the roots directly. There are many methods for watering this way; pick one that suits your needs and stick to it.
Temperature
The temperature range for this plant is between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius (50-65°F). The flowers will typically last longest when the temperature is at the lower end of the range at night. Warm temperatures may induce the flowers to wilt or go into early bloom. In addition, the plant’s leaves may turn yellow or brown if the temperature is too high. Whereas in low temperatures, it may not flower at all. The best way to ensure that your Cyclamen persicum thrives is to keep the temperature somewhere within the recommended range throughout the year.
Humidity
In general, the plants grow better at moderate humidity levels. One of the best ways to keep your plants happy is by providing enough humidity but not too much. If you live in a naturally dry location, you can fill a container with wet gravel and place the pot on top to slightly combat the dryness.
Fertilizer
Florist’s Cyclamen do need fertilizer, but not too much. Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer or phosphorous plant food for your plant every two weeks when in active growth. Stop when it enters dormancy in the summer.
Cultivars of Cyclamen persicum
Hybridized flower varieties are famous for their increased size, color range, and shape. In addition, these cultivars can be grown as houseplants to make them more accessible than other ornamental plants requiring a lot of sunlight. Here are some noteworthy examples.
- Concerto Apollo
- Halios White
- Laser Rose
- Laser White
- Miracle Deep Rose
- Miracle White
- Sierra Scarlet
- Sierra Fuchsia
Propagating Cyclamen
Seeds and division are the primary methods of propagation. The seeds need to be fresh, but they can germinate on average within a month after planting. Try to soak the seeds for 10 hours before sowing for the best results. Maintain about 18°C (64°F) and don’t let the seeds get exposed to light.
Division by tubers poses some challenges because these plants can rot quite easily. Most gardeners usually get a new Persian Cyclamen from a nursery before blooming season to avoid all the hassle. The same plant can generally last for over 20 years if cared for properly.
Potting and Repotting Persian Cyclamen
Cyclamen persicum should be potted in containers that are at least an inch taller than the tuber’s upper half, which should be above the ground. Be sure to select a pot with adequate drainage holes to prevent rotting after watering. Remember that Cyclamen prefers a well-drained soil preferably filled with loam-based compost.
Don’t try to repot until the summer dormancy is over. After gently removing it from the pot, place it in a well-draining soil mix; place the upper half of the tuber aboveground so that water will easily reach the roots. Don’t start watering straight away; wait until you see new leaves beginning to form.
Toxicity
Remember to be very careful if you’re a pet owner. The Florist’s Cyclamen contains a toxin that can be harmful if ingested or chewed by your pets. Signs of poisoning include drooling, vomiting and diarrhea; it may also cause abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), seizures, and in rare cases, death if they end up eating too much of the tubers.
Common Pests
The most common pests to beware of are Cyclamen mites. Plants infected with these annoying creatures must be disposed of because they’re incredibly challenging to get rid of. Other than that, you might get the occasional outbreak of aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, or thrips, but nothing that a standard pesticide can’t solve.
Common Problems
Yellow Foliage?
If this is happening in Spring, it’s perfectly natural and a sign of the plant entering into dormancy. If not, this could be due to several reasons.
- Over or Underwatering – Don’t water if the soil is wet; wait for it to dry out a bit before watering. And don’t let it sit dry for a long time.
- High Temperature – Place it someplace colder. Check the temperature guide.
- Exposed to direct sunlight – move it to a shadier spot immediately.
Poor flowering?
Try to keep the temperature as low as possible while being within the safe range. Warmer temperatures tend to affect the flowers negatively. If you’re looking for a new plant, find one that has lots of unopened buds. Those are the ones that have the highest chance of producing the best flowers.
Has the plant collapsed?
The Florist’s Cyclamen can collapse due to overwatering or letting water splash on the crown. Check the compost for the appropriate dryness level before watering and only water the roots, don’t let any water touch the stems, leaves, or the crown.
No more flowers?
It’s a sign of the end of the blooming season (November to April). Your plant has entered dormancy and won’t be active again until winter. So move it outside for the summer, in a dry shady spot. Water it sparingly, just enough to keep the compost moist. Don’t feed it any fertilizer. Wait for autumn when it begins showing signs of activity, then move it back inside and start the yearly cycle anew.
Cyclamen Persicum: Tips for Caring for Your Plants (Video)
FAQ
How to care for Cyclamen persicum?
Water regularly, but sparingly. Don’t let any splash on the stems, leaves, or crown. Try to give it fertilizer every two weeks, and none during the dormancy. Please keep it in a shady spot, in cool temperatures (around 15-18 degrees Celsius) year-round.
How to revive a Cyclamen persicum?
If it’s Spring, your plant doesn’t need reviving. It’s entered its yearly dormancy season. The leaves may look wilted and withered, but they will come back stronger than ever in autumn.
How to grow Persian cyclamen from seeds?
Take fresh seeds and plant them in a soilless mix at night with temperatures around 12 to 15°C. Wait for a month to let the seed germinate and begin fertilization when the germination process is well underway. The process can be tricky, and most gardeners prefer to buy directly from the nursery.
Attribution
“Cyclamen persicum” by chooyutshing is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0