Cyclamen
Cyclamen persicum
A Mediterranean tuberous perennial with heart-shaped silver-marbled leaves and elegant butterfly-like flowers in pink, red, white, or purple held above the foliage on slender stems. Flowers through fall, winter, and into spring (the opposite of most houseplants), which makes it a favourite Alberta gift plant during the dark months. After bloom the plant retreats into summer dormancy and the leaves die back. Don't throw it out: stop watering, let the tuber rest in a cool dry spot through the summer, and resume watering in late August for another full season of flowers. With this rhythm a single tuber can rebloom for a decade or more.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Indoor (native to the eastern Mediterranean and parts of North Africa)
Light
Bright indirect light. Cool conditions (15 to 18 C). Hates warm rooms and drops flowers above 20 C
Bloom Time
October to April
Soil
Rich, well-draining potting mix. Plant the tuber so its top half sits above the soil line
Water
Bottom-water by setting the pot in a saucer for 15 minutes whenever the top 2 cm of soil is dry, then drain. Watering from above pools on the tuber crown and causes rot
Growing & Cultivation
Propagation
Mature tubers can be carefully sliced into pieces with a clean sharp knife, each piece containing at least one growth point and some root mass. Dust cuts with sulphur and let dry 24 hours before potting. More commonly grown from seed sown in late summer: germination takes 4 to 6 weeks in the dark at 15 to 18 C, and seedlings need 12 to 15 months to reach flowering size
Repotting
Every other year in late summer as dormancy ends. Refresh the soil and inspect the tuber for soft spots; trim any rot with a clean knife and dust with sulphur. Use a pot only slightly larger than the tuber
