Cyclamen africanum
large-leaved cyclamen
A tuberous perennial with heart-shaped bright-green leaves, to 10cm long, with pale-green markings. Flowers in shades of pink, with deep maroon mouths, appear just before the leaves in autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | Pink Purple | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Tufted
- Potentially harmful
- Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Cyclamen are tuberous perennials with rounded, sometimes angular, leaves which are often attractively mottled. The nodding, characteristically shaped flowers have 5 reflexed and twisted petals, often with dark markings at the base
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Algeria
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a cool greenhouse in bright filtered light, in containers using loam-based potting compost (JI No.2), water moderately in full leaf and use a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser, reduce water as leaves wither after flowering. Keep dry when dormant then resume watering and feeding as new growth appear. Repot when tubers fill their container
Propagation
Propagate by seed, as for hardy cyclamen
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
No pruning necessary, tidy old leaves and flowers
Pests
May be susceptible to vine weevil, mice and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to cyclamen grey mould, particularly when grown under glass
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