SafePlants

Cyclamen: A Burst of Color in the Garden

Cyclamen, with its elegant sweptback flowers and shapely, marbled foliage, is a welcome addition to any garden, especially during the colder months. Whether you're looking to naturalize an area under trees or add a splash of color to a shady border, cyclamen offers a variety of options.

Considerations for Pets

• Cyclamen are tuberous plants.

Considerations for Children

• Cyclamen are often found in gardens.

Scientific Classification

• Genus: Cyclamen
• Family: Primulaceae

Nomenclature

• Common Names: Hardy Cyclamen, Alpine Cyclamen, Ivy-leaved Cyclamen, Neapolitan Cyclamen, Sowbread, Eastern Cyclamen
• Species Examples: Cyclamen hederifolium, Cyclamen coum, Cyclamen persicum, Cyclamen trochopteranthum, Cyclamen neapolitanum

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Europe and the Mediterranean Basin, including parts of Turkey and the Greek islands.
• Cyclamen hederifolium was introduced to the UK in the late 1500s and has since become naturalized.

Morphology and Growth Habits

• Cyclamen are perennial flowering plants, often winter and spring flowering.
• They are tuberous plants, suited to shady gardens.
• Leaves are often heart-shaped and marbled.
• Flowers are known for their sweptback petals and come in a wide range of colors including pink, white, and plum.

Cultivation and Care

• Hardy cyclamen are ideal for naturalizing under trees, on banks, or in shady borders.
• They thrive in partial to full shade.
• Require good drainage and a soil rich in leaf mold.
• Cyclamen tubers do best in drier sites in lighter soils.
• Cyclamen can be grown from seed, but it may take a year or more to mature.

Quirky Facts

• Cyclamen persicum is described as a "small and compact flowering pot plant" that may only last one or two seasons, highlighting its relatively short lifespan compared to some other cyclamen species.