Cyclamen

Plant family

Primrose family (Primulaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Semi-shaded

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Dark germinator

Germination temperature

15 - 18 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

20 cm

Row spacing

20 cm

Seeding depth

2.5 cm

Instructions

Description

Cyclamen (bot. Cyclamen) is a genus of plants in the subfamily Myrsinaceae, which belongs to the primrose family. The genus contains 22 species, most of which grow in the Mediterranean climate of the Mediterranean region. Only one species, the European cyclamen, is actually native to the Alps. The German name of the cyclamen, known worldwide as the cyclamen, is therefore based on a species native to the Alpine region. The best-known cyclamen, which is popular as a houseplant, originally comes from Asia Minor. It came to Europe from there in the 17th century and is prized in this country as an indoor cyclamen. Cyclamen grows in large numbers and species, especially around the Mediterranean, due to the optimal conditions. Many species have local proper names, for which there are several synonyms. The plants of this genus are popular because of their long flowering period and their large, stylish and bright colors. Leaf The leaves of the cyclamen are long-stalked and simple. Many species have light markings on the upper side of the leaf, making the foliage attractively bicolored. The leaf shape is round to heart-shaped, with smooth to barely perceptible ribbing at the edges. In some cultivated and cultivars, the leaf edges are visibly toothed or frilly. The two-tone appearance of the leaves accentuates the dark green veins, as they are mostly located under the darker colored parts of the foliage. Depending on the species and size, the foliage of the cyclamen genus appears disc-shaped to plate-shaped and is extremely large in relation to the flower. Flower The flowers of all cyclamen species are terminal on long stems. Cyclamen form single flowers with a smooth surface. Although the flowers often hang downwards, the petals are upright and curved upwards. The edges of the petals are wavy to smooth, only in special cultivated forms do they have strong ripples or serrations. In the wild, cyclamen flowers are white, pale pink to pink or red to purple. The popular indoor cyclamen violets are available in two-tone shades and sometimes with strongly accentuated edges. The upward-curving petals reach a length of between three and ten centimetres, depending on the species. As a houseplant, cyclamen flowers from September to April. Fruit Cyclamen have capsule-shaped fruits. During growth, the stem curves inwards and sinks the capsule fruit into the ground. All cyclamen species form fruits that only open after they have sunk underground. The fruits are inconspicuous and often unrecognizable because they grow into the soil. The fruit stalk deforms into a spiral when ripe. The seeds are spread by ants. Growth The cyclamen plant genus grows herbaceously, is perennial and forms disk-shaped tubers as survival organs. Cyclamen differ from species to species in their height and width of growth, as well as in the size of their leaves and flowers. A striking feature of all species of the cyclamen genus are the large leaves growing on short stems above the ground. The significantly longer flower stems clearly tower above the foliage. The height of growth depends on the species, the location and the environmental conditions. The majority of species reach an average height of 30 to 50 centimeters. Dwarf species reach a maximum height of ten to twelve centimetres. Utilization Some species such as the spring-flowering early cyclamen (Cyclamen coum) and the autumn-flowering ivy-leaved cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium) are hardy in Central Europe and are planted in shady spots in gardens. The best known are the cultivated varieties of cyclamen persicum hybrids. They do not tolerate frost and are cultivated as houseplants in cool rooms. The leaves and bulb are poisonous due to their cyclamine content, a saponin. The plant is also used medicinally.

Growing tips

🌼 Pre-cultivation - Best time: late winter to spring - Cyclamen germinate slowly (at least 4 to 6 weeks). - Fresh seeds germinate best. - Optional: Soak in lukewarm water for 12-24 hours - Use a fine, loose, humus-rich substrate. - Dark germination: indoor cyclamen 0.5 cm (seeds) Garden alpine violets 2-3 cm (tubers) - Moisten substrate well, avoid waterlogging. - Temperature: 15-18 °C. - Location: bright, no direct sunlight. - Moisture: evenly slightly moist. - Cover (foil/hood) possible, ventilate daily. - Prick out as soon as the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves - Keep cool and bright. - Slowly acclimatize young plants to normal room air. - Only fertilize when they are well rooted. - First flowering after 12-18 months, depending on the species. 🌱 Location & soil - Light: Indoor alpine violets: bright, no direct sunlight (east or north window). Garden alpine violets: Partial shade-shady, no direct sun (edge of shrubbery). - Temperature: cool! 12-16 °C ideal. Garden alpine violets hardy to -10°C / -20°C - Soil: rich in humus, slightly loamy, calcareous, well drained. - Moisture: keep rather dry during the dormant phase. - Planting distance: 15-25 cm depending on species 💧 Watering - Always water indoor cyclamen from below to prevent the bulb from rotting. - Keep the soil slightly moist, avoid waterlogging. - During the dormant period (summer after flowering): significantly less water. 🌸 Flowering & care - Flowering time depending on species: fall to spring. - Remove faded flowers and yellow leaves, do not cut. - Fertilize lightly every 2 weeks during the flowering period. ❄️ Overwintering - Indoor alpine violets: keep in a cool place, water little. - Hardy species (e.g. Cyclamen coum, Cyclamen hederifolium): ◦ Hardy in the garden, but need well-drained soil and possibly leaf mulch. - Many hybrids are not hardy and are only suitable for summer outdoors. 🌿 Good neighbors - Ferns, purple bells, Christmas rose, primrose, Waldsteinia, fairy flower, funkia, bergenia - Wild garlic, woodruff, mint (pot) - Rhubarb, chard, chives, lettuce - Hazel, rhododendron, azalea, cornelian cherry, dogwood, rock pear, elderberry ❌ Bad neighbors - Ivy, periwinkle, geranium, ysander, sunflower, coneflower - Thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, lavender, olive herb, limb herbs, hyssop - Tomatoes, peppers, chili, eggplant, potato, pumpkin, zucchini, melon, beans, peas, cabbage, rape, turnips - Bamboo, cherry laurel, thuja, privet, maple, cypress, walnut 🦠 Diseases - Gray mold (Botrytis) - Powdery mildew - Fusarium wilt - Burning spot disease (Cryptocline) - Viral diseases (mosaic) - Root rot 🦟 Pests - Cyclamen mite - Aphids - thrips - spider mites - weevil - fungus gnats 🧪 Frequent problems - Yellow leaves: too warm or too wet. - Rotting: waterlogging or watering over the bulb.