Cyclamen Flower - A Plant of the Primroses Family
Published · Flower Resource
Cyclamen are winter and spring flowering plants that are available in wide range of colors. This plant is perennial and is versatile. It can be used as indoor plant and can also form part of flowerbeds in the garden or containers. They are native to parts of Asia and Africa. There are 23 Species of Cyclamen. These flowers are the part of Primrose family. It is a species with many varieties and the characteristics of the flowers also vary. Some varieties produce dark pink flowers while some white or soft pink flowers. The cyclamen flower is also called Persian Violet and sowbread. This is not the flower that symbolizes happiness so you cannot give this flower to anyone without giving a thought. This plant is poisonous and it has meaning that is related to death so for good occasions you cannot use these flowers. The flowers represent the fact that eventually all the good things end so this flower may be used at a funeral or on someone’s demise to represent departure.
Uses of Cyclamen Flower
- The roots and the underground stem is mostly used as medicine.
- Women take cyclamen for menstrual disorders.
- This plant is also used as nose spray to loosen the mucus and drain the sinuses.
- It also helps in nervous emotional states, digestion problems and other conditions.
- Only the leaves of this plant are edible.
Interesting Facts
- This plant was a favorite of artist Leonardo Da Vinci and he used them to decorate the margins of his manuscripts.
- According to some handbook the scent of this plant’s essential oil is similar to the mixture of lily, lilac, violet and hyacinth.
- The fruit also comes off this flower and it will release seeds so that flower can grow again.
Soil needed
- Grow the tubers in part shade and in any moderately fertile, humus rich and well drained soil.
How to plant?
- You have to plant the tubers 3 to 5 cm deep in the soil but do not plant too deep as they may not flower.
- To establish these plants quickly you must plant the tubers when they are in root growth.
- You can propagate through seeds and transplants.
- It is not very difficult to grow the plants in garden less the site is too dry or too sunny.
Maintenance and Care
- It requires careful watering but at the same time too much water can affect the flowering.
- Water the plant only when the soil is dry to the touch.
- Fertilizer the plant once every one or two months, when the plant gets too much fertilizer it can affect its ability to rebloom.
- Too high temperature can make the flowers fade rapidly so place the plant in a cool, somewhat dark place.
- After the dormant period, completely soak the soil and let the excess water drain away.
- Once the leaves start to grow you can resume normal cyclamen care and the plant will rebloom shortly.