Cyclamen persicum (Red Florist's Cyclamen) – Ready Planted Christmas Trough (3 Plants in a Christmas Trough)

This ready planted Christmas trough holds 3 red cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum, the florist's cyclamen), giving rich red colour on a doorstep, porch or patio through autumn and winter.

The compact, mounded plants carry upswept red flowers above deep green, heart-shaped leaves with attractive silver marbling. They are supplied in bloom or near bloom, growing together in the trough, so there is no planting to do. It makes a simple, festive gift or an instant seasonal display.

The three plants arrive planted in the trough, ready to place in a sheltered, bright spot out of cold wind, such as a porch, doorstep or sheltered patio. These are not hardy plants: they will take a light frost in a sheltered position, but a hard or prolonged frost will kill them, so treat them as one season of autumn and winter colour. Exact container style may vary.

To keep them flowering, water sparingly at the edge of the trough and never onto the crown, keep them on the dry side, and remove spent flowers and yellowing leaves by twisting and pulling cleanly from the base. Feed with a diluted liquid fertiliser every two to three weeks while in flower. The tubers should not be eaten, by people or pets.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Florist's Cyclamen
• Botanical Name: Cyclamen persicum
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: Approx. 20-30cm tall and 20-30cm wide (variety dependent)
• Growth Habit: Compact and mounding, with upswept flowers above decorative foliage
• Perfect For: Porches, sheltered patios, doorsteps, window boxes and gifting
• Foliage: Deep green, heart-shaped leaves with silver marbling
• Flowering Time: Autumn through to early spring
• Flower Colour: Red
• Planting Position: Partial shade in a sheltered spot out of cold wind
• Hardiness: Not hardy. Tolerates a light frost in shelter but not a hard or prolonged frost
• Maintenance: Water at the edge of the trough, not the crown, and remove spent flowers
• Seasonal Interest: Autumn and winter