What are cyclamen?

Cyclamen are tuberous perennial plants in the family Primulaceae that generally grow in a Mediterranean climate and in nature are geographically, largely, a circum-Mediterranean plant with outliers in Somalia to the south and the southern shores of the Caspian Sea to the east.

Cyclamen distribution map

The genus currently comprises 24 species that with the except of just two, are summer dormant plants that flower (depending upon species), between late August and early May.

They grow from sea level to about 1700m (5577ft) in habitats ranging from Beech (Fagus sylvatica) woodland to Mediterranean phrygana, garrigue, maquis and alpine screes. In some habitats they are bathed in moisture, whilst others can be apparently quite dry. Soils can range from very humic woodland soils to terra rossa clays to very gritty/stoney loams or sandy soils. Most species grow in alkaline soils (or over limestone), or just on the acid side of neutral.

Flowers shapes vary from species to species, and range in colour from pure white through numerous shades of pink to red, deep purple or deep magenta. Leaves for many enthusiasts are as desirable as the flowers with some species producing a seemingly endless degree of variation.

In cultivation it is possible to have cyclamen in flower in the garden or greenhouse in every month of the year, with the highly scented Cyclamen purpurascens and C. colchicum providing colour in the summer months. 

There are diminutive species that will delight the alpine gardener, as well as bone-hardy spring and autumn flowering cyclamen suitable for the cottage garden or naturalising in woodlands or around shrubs.

The florists cultivars available from garden centres, florist’s shops and DIY stores in a multitude of colours and flower forms, especially in the winter months, provide much needed colour in the either the house or conservatory.