As a flowering potted plant for the winter there can be few that beat the colourful display of the Cyclamen. The Cyclamen is a perennial plant that grows from a swollen tuberous root. Flower colours include white, pink, purple, mauve, red and some are a mixture of shades. Cyclamen begin to grow new seasons foliage in early autumn and start to flower in late autumn; the foliage is often marbled and attractive in its own right. A well looked after Cyclamen will flower for two or three months inside; and after flowering is finished the plant can be placed outside under a hedge or in the shade somewhere and left pretty much to look after its self until late summer. In late summer begin to water the plant again; and maybe re-pot it into a slightly larger pot. The new foliage will begin to appear and the cycle starts over again.
When potting Cyclamen make sure the tuber is no more than half buried under the soil. A peaty compost rather than heavy clay soil is preferred.
Water the Cyclamen only until the water collects in the tray under the pot and no more; if the water in the tray has not been drunk up by the plant a few hours after watering then you have given too much water and you should empty out the water from the tray. Usually watering every two or three days is enough. Cyclamen are cool temperature plants and inside your house make sure the plants are not in a hot position; they wont like being in full sun or close to a fire or heater. As the individual flowers fade, remove them from the tuber by carefully twisting and pulling the complete flower stem from the plant; also remove any yellowing leaves the same way.
An interesting fact about Cyclamen is that the stems of the fertilised seed capsules will coil and spiral like a spring which pulls the capsule down to ground level so that the seeds when ripe are released onto the soil. This is more often noticed on plants growing outside where we are not so diligent about removing the spent flowers.
There are many different species of Cyclamen originating from Europe, the Mediterranean and Middle East; many of them are much smaller than those grown as flowering pot plants. If you have an alpine garden group in your area you are likely to find some of the cute miniature species for sale at there shows.