The Lovely and Alluring Cyclamen
Cynthia Druckenbrod
Popularized in Victorian England, Cyclamen were all the rage during the holidays in that era. And, like many plants, they have gone through cycles of admiration over the decades. We are most familiar with the florist variety, Cyclamen persicum, which originates in Europe and North Africa. However, there are also some species such as Cyclamen hederifolium that flourish in our zone.
Both leaves and flowers rise from the top of a subterranean tuber and grow actively in the fall and winter indoors. Leaves are as beautiful as the flowers as many varieties have marbled patterns in silver and green. The sweetly fragrant flowers are unusual in having petals that are bent upwards and twisted giving them a windblown appearance! Flower colors are typically hues of white, pink, purple, red and mauve. Their fragrance has been described as lightly floral with grassy notes.
Looking to purchase a Cyclamen this holiday season? They love bright, indirect light on a cool windowsill protected from drafts. Water thoroughly once per week and let it dry slightly between waterings. Come our warm summers, flowers fade and leaves turn yellow signaling dormancy. Don’t water during this time as the tuber can rot. Instead, move the tuber to a cool area of your garage and leave it alone until the fall comes again and new shoots appear.