Pink is the closest colour to the wild plant. Cyclamen persicum grows in rocky Mediterranean woodland, and its flowers there vary from white to pink with a dark blotch near the base. Cultivated pinks vary from pale shell to deep rose and fuchsia.
On the windowsill and under trees
A potted pink cyclamen is a winter houseplant in Australia, with flowers from autumn, usually April, to August. It prefers a bright windowsill that stays cool. Outdoors, the tender florist's type suits a shaded, frost-free spot, while the smaller hardy cyclamen coum and hederifolium form carpets of pink beneath trees in cold gardens such as those in Tasmania and the Victorian highlands.
Looking after the pot
- Water through the saucer and let the top of the soil dry slightly before the next drink.
- Feed with dilute fertiliser while it is flowering.
- Pick off faded flowers and yellow leaves right at the base.
- Move it somewhere cool and shaded for summer; the plant goes dormant.
A pink pot as a gift
Pink suits get-well wishes, birthdays and Mother's Day gifts in May. Give it with a note about the cool, bright position, as warm lounge rooms shorten its life.
Tuber toxicity at home
Cyclamen is toxic to dogs, cats and horses on the ASPCA list. The tuber is the most concentrated source, and ingestion can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, plus more serious signs in large amounts. Keep it out of reach of pets and call your vet if one has had a nibble.
