Cyclamen persicum, also known as Persian cyclamen, rabbit ear flower, bunny flower, crown of honor, bonfire flower, and inverted lotus, belongs to the Primulaceae family.
It is a perennial herbaceous plant with leaves sprouting from the top of the tuber, heart-shaped, ovate or kidney-shaped, finely serrated, green on top, with white or gray mottling, green or dark red underneath, with long, reddish-brown petioles. The corolla is white or rose-red, with a deep purple throat. Native to Greece, Syria, Lebanon, etc., it has now been widely cultivated.
Cyclamen persicum demonstrates strong resistance to the toxic gas sulfur dioxide in the air. Its leaves can absorb sulfur dioxide and convert it through oxidation into harmless or low-toxicity substances such as sulfates. It is suitable for pot cultivation and indoor decoration, especially suitable for placement on sunlit shelves or desks at home.
Cyclamen persicum, a perennial herbaceous plant of the Primulaceae family. The entire plant is hairless; the tuber is flat spherical, brown; the leaves are ovate with fine round teeth; the flower stalk is 15–20 cm high, the calyx is triangular or elongated triangular, the corolla is white or rose-red, with a deep purple throat. The flowering period lasts for six months.
The term “Cyclamen persicum” comes from the transliteration of its scientific name Cyclamen, and due to the ingenious transliteration, the flower name implies “fairy guests fluttering in.”
Cyclamen persicum is native to Greece, Syria, Lebanon, etc., and is widely cultivated in greenhouses throughout China.
Cyclamen persicum is a medium-light plant, likes cool, humid and sunny environments, and is suitable for planting in loose, fertile, well-drained, humus-rich, slightly acidic sandy soil. Cyclamen persicum mainly reproduces by sowing, generally sowing in September and October.

Cyclamen persicum is a perennial herb. The tuber is flat spherical, the diameter is usually 4-5 cm, with a cork-like skin, brown, slightly flat on top.
Leaves and flower stalks are drawn out of the tuber top at the same time; the petiole is 5-18 cm long; the leaf blade is heart-shaped ovate, 3-14 cm in diameter, the tip is slightly acute, the edge has fine round teeth, the texture is slightly thick, the upper side is dark green, often with light-colored patterns.
Some botanists believe that the variegation on the leaves is a kind of natural destructive camouflage to avoid animal damage.
The flower stalk is 15-20 cm high, does not shrink when fruiting; the calyx usually divides to the base, the segments are triangular or elongated triangular, the entire edge; the corolla is white or rose-red, the throat is deep purple, the tube part is nearly hemispherical, segments are elongated lanceolate, slightly acute, no ears at the base, 3.5-5 times longer than the tube, severely reflexed.
Cyclamen persicum likes warmth and is afraid of heat, grows best in cool environments and fertile sandy soil rich in humus. It is cold-resistant and can withstand low temperatures of 0℃ without freezing. Autumn to the second year of spring is its growth season, semi-dormant in summer, the suitable growth temperature in winter is between 12~16℃, should not exceed 18~22℃ to promote flowering, plants will enter dormancy above 0℃, plants are prone to rot and die above 35℃, can withstand low temperatures in winter, but growth is slow below 5℃, flower color is dull, less flowering.
Supplementing carbon dioxide in winter can promote growth and flowering. During the growth period, a humid and sunny environment is required.
Originally from regions such as Greece, Syria, and Lebanon, it is now widely cultivated.
There are approximately 20 different varieties.
Large Flower Type: Features large flowers with petals that are entire, spreading, or recurved. Varieties include single-petal, double-petal, and aromatic.
Flat Petal Type: Petals are spreading or recurved, with finely incised and wrinkled edges. The buds are more pointed, and the petals are narrower.
Rococo Type: Half-open, drooping flowers; petals do not recurve, they are wider, with wrinkled and finely incised edges. The flower bud is round at the top, and the flower is fragrant. The leaf margins are noticeably serrated.
Frilled Edge Type: Large flowers, with petals that have finely incised and wrinkled edges, and recurve.

Seed propagation is one of the commonly used methods for propagation. The seeds need to be artificially pollinated and are generally mature in May, so they should be collected promptly.
The seeds are large, with a thousand-seed weight of around 10g, and a typical germination rate of 85% to 95%. To promote germination, soak the seeds for 24 hours in cold water or for 2 to 3 hours in 30°C water before sowing.
Then clean the adhesive material from the surface of the seeds, wrap them in a moist cloth for sprouting, and maintain a temperature of 25°C for 1 to 2 days. The seeds can be sown as soon as they start to sprout. The best time to sow is generally in September or October, and a regular flower pot is sufficient for sowing.
The soil used for sowing should be rich in organic matter and sandy loam, and it should be finely sifted before use. When sowing, first place the soil in the pot and thoroughly wet it with a watering can. When the water has completely permeated, immediately dot the seeds into the pot at intervals of 1 to 1.5 cm.
After sowing, cover with 0.5 cm of soil, and then cover with glass or plastic film to retain moisture. Keep it in a semi-shaded area at a temperature of 20 to 22°C.
When the pot soil is slightly dry, immerse the pot in water to keep the soil constantly moist. Under normal conditions, seedlings can emerge in about 20 days. When the seedling leaves are fully opened, the first transplant can be performed.
Use a regular flower pot for transplanting, with the same type of soil used for sowing. The distance between seedlings should be about 3 cm. After transplanting, immediately water thoroughly with a watering can.
Afterward, keep the seedlings pot moist. When the seedlings have grown three leaves and the small bulbs have grown to a diameter of 5 to 6 mm, prompt transplanting and potting is required. A 9 cm diameter small pot can be used for single plant transplanting.
After the potting soil is sifted, it is mixed and prepared as follows: 20% leaf mold, 20% garden soil, 50% fine yellow sand, and 10% well-rotted manure.
When transplanting, try to bring a small soil ball and level it with the soil surface. After transplanting, water thoroughly and place in indoor sunlight. After the seedlings resume growth, water and fertilize promptly. Generally, they can bloom by the second winter.
The tubers of this plant cannot naturally produce bulbs, so they cannot be propagated by division like other bulbous flowers, and require artificial cutting for propagation.
Generally in late August, when the tuber is about to sprout, it is vertically divided into several pieces from the top. Each piece should have a bud eye. The cut surface is coated with charcoal ash, and after a brief air-drying, it can be planted in a flowerpot. With careful management, it will soon leaf and bloom.
Tissue culture propagation can use stamens, tubers, leaf blades, and young stems as explants, generally collected from one or two-year-old seedlings. Among them, using tubers as explants is the easiest way to induce the production of seedlings.
For tubers as explants, MS culture medium can be used, with MS+3mg/L 6-BA+1mg/L NAA as the induction medium, 1/2MS+0.3mg/L NAA as the rooting medium, and MS+3mg/L 6-BA+0.4mg/L NAA as the subculture medium.

The dormant bulb of the plant usually begins to sprout new buds from the end of August to mid-September, at which time the potting soil should be changed promptly.
The potting soil is mixed in the following proportions: 30% leaf mold, 40% fine yellow sand, 20% garden soil, and 10% well-rotted dry manure. When repotting, the bulb should only carry a small amount of the old soil, and it should not be planted too deeply, generally so that the top of the bulb is exposed 1/3 above the soil surface.
After initial planting, the potting soil should not be too wet; a slight dampness is sufficient. Watering can be gradually increased according to the sprouting situation of the plant, and plenty of sunlight should be given. When the leaves grow out, the potting soil should be kept constantly moist.
At the same time, apply a diluted solution of well-rotted fertilizer once a week until it stops before flowering. When watering and fertilizing, avoid submerging the bulb top, otherwise, the top bud is likely to rot. After each fertilization, rinse once with clean water.
The mature bulb of a Cyclamen usually begins to bloom by early December, hitting its peak bloom in February or March of the following year. To extend the flowering period, the plant can be placed in a cooler location after it blooms.
Subsequently, as the external temperature rises, the flower count begins to decrease by May. However, late-blooming varieties can still flower until June. In cooler northern regions, with proper ventilation and shading, some varieties can even bloom in the summer.
Most Cyclamen begin to shed leaves after June. At this point, watering should be gradually reduced to keep the potting soil slightly dry.
By July, the plant enters a dormant period. During dormancy, it is crucial to maintain good ventilation and a cool environment indoors, with a maximum temperature not exceeding 30°C. Watering should be reduced, especially avoiding exposure to rain.
The flowering of older Cyclamen bulbs may be delayed with each passing year, but they produce more flowers, with a single bloom potentially exceeding 50.
After four years, the bulb gradually ages, and the flower count greatly decreases, losing its cultivation value. The bulb is also prone to rot and should be replaced timely.
When cultivating, the soil should be loose. It can be a mixture of two parts leaf mold, one part garden soil, and a small amount of calcium superphosphate. Alternatively, dried and crushed river mud, or a mix of two parts peat and one part perlite can be used.
The potting soil should be sterilized by fumigation. When repotting, the size of the plant should be considered, and the flower pot should be increased gradually. It is not suitable to cultivate small seedlings directly in large pots. Planting should be shallow.
When repotting larger plants, two-thirds to half of the bulb should be above the soil surface to prevent it from rotting due to moisture.
Avoid using concentrated fertilizers, as it can damage the roots. Fertilization can be done about three times a month, and the soil should be loosened before fertilizer application. Fertilizer should not be applied from the top of the plant and should be washed off with water after application.
The care and management of Cyclamen can be divided into five stages:
Transplantation should be done when the first true leaf appears. When the seedling has 3-4 leaves, it can be planted in a 10cm diameter flower pot. As the plant grows, a larger pot can be used, but the pot should not be changed after June.
If the seedling is small, it can be left in a small flower pot over the summer. Young seedlings should be shaded. During hot weather, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil, weed, water, and fertilize.
High summer temperatures are unfavorable for Cyclamen growth. Cooling equipment should be used to lower the environment temperature to ensure its survival. To avoid high temperatures, use two layers of shading nets and control watering, ceasing fertilization.
After autumn, the growth resumes, and watering can be gradually increased, with thin fertilizer applied. By mid-October, place the plant in a sunny location. The greenhouse air should be humid. Fertilize 2-3 times a month.
Generally, no fertilizer is needed from mid-December to early February, but if in a high-temperature environment, fertilization can continue. Flowering usually starts in November.
After May, as the leaves gradually yellow, watering should be gradually stopped to allow the plant to enter dormancy. After all the leaves have withered, place the plant in a cool, ventilated environment to ensure the bulb’s survival. Typically, the pot is placed in a cool, rain-protected location.
After the hot summer, water lightly to revive the dormant bulb. Once it sprouts, repot with new potting soil, removing any rotten root system. In the greenhouse, the plant can usually bloom by December. After blooming, it enters the summer bulb dormancy stage again.
New seedlings typically start blooming in November. If the temperature is maintained at 15°C-20°C during the bud stage and 100mg/L of gibberellin is sprayed on the flower bud and stem, it can promote stem elongation and accelerate blooming.
The main pests and diseases of Cyclamen include root-knot nematodes, gray mold, viral diseases, cotton aphids, and peach aphids.
Root-knot Nematode
Gray Mold
The blooming period of Cyclamen can last up to 5 months, coinciding with traditional holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Chinese New Year, resulting in a huge market demand. It has high production value and significant economic benefits.
It’s often used for indoor floral arrangements and is suitable as cut flowers with long-lasting water retention. Most Cyclamen varieties have a pleasant aroma, helping to alleviate tension and fatigue, and can purify the air by absorbing gases like sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide.
The unique shape of Cyclamen flowers is widely loved and often used to beautify homes, suitable for display on desks and windowsills. However, note that the roots and stems of Cyclamen are somewhat toxic. Accidental consumption may cause diarrhea and vomiting, and skin contact may cause redness and itching.
Cyclamen has a strong resistance to the harmful gas sulfur dioxide in the air. Its leaves can absorb sulfur dioxide and oxidize it into non-toxic or low-toxic substances like sulfates.
It’s suitable for pot cultivation and indoor decoration, particularly apt for embellishing sunny racks and desks at home. Its aesthetic and unique plant shape, colorful flowers, and some fragrant varieties are deeply favored. Cyclamen can also be pot-grown using soilless cultivation methods, which are clean and charming, making it more suitable for home decoration.
The unique, vibrant, and diverse shape of Cyclamen flowers, with some fragrant varieties, has high ornamental value and is deeply loved. It’s a precious potted flower in winter and spring, and one of the most important potted flowers in the world flower market.
The blooming period of Cyclamen can last up to 5 months, coinciding with traditional holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Chinese New Year, resulting in a huge market demand. It has high production value and significant economic benefits. It’s often used for indoor floral arrangements and is suitable as cut flowers with long-lasting water retention.