Eastern sowbread
Cyclamen coum · Primulaceae
📷 Christine Matthews · CC BY-SA 2.0
⚠️ Chiens/chats : tubercules et feuilles toxiques par ingestion, troubles digestifs. Enfants : tubercules toxiques, irritation buccale.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant eastern sowbread: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, leaves marbled with silver-grey
- Flowering
- January to March, pale pink to magenta flowers
- Mature size
- 10 cm in height
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Mediterranean region (Crete, Turkey)
- Family
- Primulaceae
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Cyclamen coum flowers even in winter: plant it in well-draining soil, partial shade under shrubs. Water moderately in winter/spring, avoid watering in summer.
The common mistake
Don't strip it by 'cleaning' dry leaves in summer: you'll damage the growth points and smother young seedlings.
The pro's trick
At the end of flowering (March), leave the spent flowers in place so seeds form and drop: you'll have a dense colony in 3-4 years.
Care
Watering
Keep the substrate slightly moist during the growing season (autumn-winter), without ever waterlogging it. In summer, reduce watering as the plant enters dormancy. Water from below or around the leaves to limit rot. Rainwater is preferable to hard water.
Light Exposure
Place your Cos cyclamen in partial shade, ideally under deciduous trees that protect it from direct summer sun. Indoors, bright indirect light is sufficient. Avoid scorching exposures that dry out the tubers.
Soil
Use a well-draining substrate rich in organic matter: a mix of leaf mould, sand and compost. A neutral to slightly acidic pH is ideal. Improve drainage in pots with perlite if your soil retains too much water.
Fertilising
Apply a very diluted fertiliser (half strength) once or twice a month during flowering and active growth (autumn-winter). Stop feeding during the summer dormancy period. Choose a balanced fertiliser or one slightly higher in phosphorus.
Pruning and Maintenance
No pruning is necessary. Simply remove faded flowers and leaves to encourage prolonged flowering and prevent rot. Gently remove debris without damaging the tuber.
Diseases and Pests
Watch out for powdery mildew and grey mould in humid, poorly ventilated conditions. Spider mites and whiteflies may appear indoors in heated spaces. Ensure good air circulation and avoid stagnant humidity. Regularly inspect the underside of leaves.
Did you know?
Cos cyclamen gets its name from the island of Cos (Kos) in Greece, the birthplace of its discovery. In Greek and Roman mythology, cyclamens were associated with fertility and used in ancient herbal medicine. Its remarkably resilient flowers can bloom throughout winter, bringing a splash of colour to Mediterranean gardens during the coldest months.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Dotted loosestrifeLysimachia punctata
- African BoxwoodMyrsine africana
- SowbreadCyclamen hederifolium
- Yellow loosestrifeLysimachia vulgaris
- CowslipPrimula veris
- Scarlet pimpernelLysimachia arvensis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.