Cyclamen 'Illusia'
A compact, very floriferous, deciduous perennial bulb with marbled, dark green foliage. Unusual, large, upside-down, upward-facing pink flowers with a darker eye and contrasting beard around the eye, appear from autumn to winter
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | Pink | Green | ||
| Winter | Pink | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Tufted
- Potentially harmful
- Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Cyclamen are tuberous perennials with rounded, sometimes angular, leaves which are often attractively mottled. The nodding, characteristically shaped flowers have 5 reflexed and twisted petals, often with dark markings at the base
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow indoors in bright, filtered light, avoiding direct sunlight, in moist but well-drained compost. When watering, sit the cyclamen in a shallow tray of water, allowing it to absorb what it needs then allow to drain. Keep compost dry when dormant and avoid draughts or hot air. Apply a low nitrogen liquid feed fortnightly and deadhead any faded flowers to encourage more, removing the whole stem back to the base. See houseplant cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed, in darkness as soon as ripe at 12 to 15°C. Can be beneficial to soak seed for 10 hours prior to sowing
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
Pruning
Deadhead, removing the whole stem back to the base
Pests
May be susceptible to Tarsonemus pallidus (cyclamen mite), mealybugs, thrips, fungus gnats and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to cyclamen grey mould
Get involved
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