Cyclamen is a flowering pot plant that blooms from early winter into spring in U.S. cultivation and often rests in summer. Its flowers have petals that sweep upward above heart-shaped leaves, which may have silver patterns. It is also called florist’s cyclamen or Persian cyclamen.

Appearance

Growth form
A perennial that grows from a rounded underground , usually 6–9 in (15–23 cm) tall.
Leaves
Heart shaped leaves may carry pale silver patterns.
Flowers
Each stem carries one white, pink, red, or purple flower with petals swept upward.
Flowering time
In U.S. cultivation, it generally flowers from early winter into spring. The plant often goes in summer.
Fruit
After flowering, the stalk bends toward the ground as a rounded seed capsule develops. It does not coil like the stalks of many other cyclamens.

Look-alikes

ivy-leaved cyclamenCyclamen hederifolium

Its leaves are often ivy-shaped but can also be rounder. When fruit develops, its stalk coils; the stalk of florist’s cyclamen only bends down.

Why they get mixed upBoth have swept back flowers and patterned leaves.

purple cyclamenCyclamen purpurascens

Its rounded leaves and strongly fragrant pink flowers can help. When fruit forms, its flower stalk coils, while the stalk of florist’s cyclamen only bends down.

Why they get mixed upBoth have pink flowers and mottled leaves.

Three cyclamens at a glance
Typical leaf outlineFruiting flower stalk
florist’s cyclamenHeart-shapedBends, does not coil
ivy-leaved cyclamenOften ivy-shapedCoils
purple cyclamenOften roundedCoils

Where it lives

Typical habitats
  • Indoor pots
  • Greenhouses
Range
It is native from North Africa to the eastern Mediterranean. In the United States, it is mainly grown as a flowering pot plant.
Preferred conditions
It likes bright indirect light and cool conditions around 65°F (18°C). Outdoors it is hardy mainly in 9–11.

Growing it

Propagation
Growers raise new plants from seed.
Toxicity
The tuber is poisonous if eaten.

Name and classification

About the name
“Cyclamen” can also mean other species, so the name alone may not identify this one.
Varieties and forms
Cultivated plants include large and miniature types.

Conservation

IUCN Red List
LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction
12 sources
  1. iNaturalist taxon API
  2. 농사로 시클라멘
  3. Kew POWO Cyclamen persicum
  4. NC Extension Cyclamen persicum
  5. 農林水産省 シクラメン栽培資料
  6. 六甲高山植物園 シクラメン・ヘデリフォリウム
  7. Cyclamen Society Cyclamen persicum
  8. Cyclamen Society Species Identification Key
  9. Cyclamen Society Cyclamen hederifolium
  10. Cyclamen Society Cyclamen purpurascens
  11. NARO fragrant cyclamen breeding
  12. Pacific Bulb Society Cyclamen species
Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) — identification, habitat & look-alikes | Moeyo