Cyclamen Persicum | Florists Cyclamen

Cyclamen persicum is a tuberous perennial that produces large, showy flowers on sturdy upright stems rising from the tuber.  It often has marbling on top of the heart shaped leaves common to cyclamen. Florist's cyclamen is a cultivar based on cyclamen persicum.

In it's natural state, cyclamen persicum, native to the Mediterranean and North Africa, will bloom in late winter to early spring. All growth will die off as they go dormant to escape the heat and drought of the summer, only to come to life again in September.

As a houseplant, cyclamen will bloom for several months in the winter.  In greenhouses they are forced to bloom for the holiday season and are available at florists through the fall and winter.  When choosing a plant, select one that has a few flowers on sturdy upright stems and many buds forming to produce more flowers.  You can choose flowers in colors ranging from reds to pinks to purples to whites.

Cylamen persicum like bright indirect light while flowering.  When dormant, keep the plant out of bright light.

Cyclamen Persicum

Cyclamen persicum like cooler temperatures in the 60 to 68 ^oF range and down as low as 50 ^oF at night.

Florist's cyclamen does best in a soil based potting mix with extra sand or perlite added for good drainage.

Cyclamen persicum should be watered thoroughly, preferably from the bottom, being sure not to get water on the top of the tuber.  It should be allowed to dry out between waterings.  When the flowers begin to fade, allow the plant to go dormant.  Watering should be stopped until new growth starts to appear.

Florist's cyclamen requires high humidity during it's flowering stage.  Place the plant on a tray of water with pebbles in the tray to keep the grow pot above the water.  The plant must not be allowed to stand in the water.

Fertilize your cyclamen persicum with a low nitrogen fertilizer recommended for indoor plants diluted to half strength every 4 weeks during it's active growth period to encourage blooms.  Over fertilizing will encourage foliage and discourage flowers.

Florist's cyclamen can be grown from seeds, but it usually take 18 to 24 months to produce flowers.  The tubers can be divided during the dormant period by cutting them as long as you make sure each piece has at least one eye.  The pieces should be planted with about half of the tuber above the soil.

Tubers can be transplanted into new pots during the dormant period.  Ideally this should be done about 2 to 3 months after the plant has gone dormant, before the new roots have developed.

Cyclamen persicum should be placed near a west facing window during it's active growing stage.  It can be used as a showy table center piece.  Add a splash of color to your room with a cyclamen persicum.