Cyclamen graecum

RHS Plant Profile
Greek cyclamen

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Cyclamen graecum?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Greek cyclamen RHS
Greek cyclamen RHS
Alpine Rockery Bulbs
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
6 Suppliers

A cormous perennial with long, fleshy roots and heart-shaped dark green leaves, variably marked with silver and pale green. The flowers, which appear in autumn just before the leaves, vary from pale to dark pink, with a magenta blotch at the base of each petal

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Primulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Potentially harmful
Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbsnot to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
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
Greece, Cyprus, Turkey

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in an unheated greenhouse in bright, filtered light. Use a container deep enough for the fleshy roots, planting the tubers just at the surface in a mix of equal parts loam, leaf mould, peat substitute and sharp sand

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in darkness as soon as ripe. Can be beneficial to soak seed for 10 hours prior to sowing

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to cyclamen mite, glasshouse red spider mite, mice and vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to cyclamen grey mould, particularly when grown under glass