Halios Curly Flame Cyclamen

Halios Curly Flame Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum 'Halios Curly Flame') is a compact pot plant that flowers through the cold months, when almost nothing else is in bloom. Ruffled scarlet petals stand on upright stems above silver marbled, heart shaped leaves, and the whole plant sits at about 25cm tall and 30cm across. That size suits a windowsill, a shaded doorstep or the front edge of a bed.

Why you'll love it

• Colour when the garden is quiet. Flowering runs from autumn through winter into early spring, covering the leanest months of the year.
• Ruffled, twisted petals. The Curly form has fringed flowers with a texture the standard cyclamen lacks, and the red carries across a room.
• Foliage that earns its place. Silver marbling on heart shaped leaves keeps the pot worth looking at between flushes.
• Small and undemanding. It suits a small pot, tolerates dry spells and asks little once the watering is right.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. One plant per 150mm to 200mm pot, or three grouped 15cm apart in a wider bowl for a fuller display.

Indoors. A bright, cool room with indirect light suits it. Keep it away from heaters and hot afternoon glass, which shorten flowering sharply.

Borders and small gardens. Plant 25cm apart under deciduous trees or along a shaded path in warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens.

Growing Curly Flame Cyclamen in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade outdoors, bright indirect light inside. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, takes light frost only and dislikes humid summer heat.

Soil. Free draining potting mix, never heavy garden soil. Set the tuber so its top sits just above the surface, because a buried crown is the usual cause of rot.

Water and feed. Water at the edge of the pot or from the saucer, and keep water off the crown and leaves. Let the top of the mix dry slightly between drinks, then feed a half strength liquid fertiliser fortnightly while it is in flower.

Grooming and dormancy. Pull spent flowers and yellow leaves away with a sharp twist at the base rather than cutting them. Through summer it goes dormant and looks dead. Ease off the water, keep the pot dry and shaded, and it reshoots in autumn.

What to expect when it arrives

This one is grown in a single size, a tube, so what arrives is a young plant with a small rosette of leaves and usually no flowers yet. Pot it straight into a 150mm container and it will build a full crown over its first season. Most customers order several alongside other stock to reach the minimum order of $300 before delivery.

Cyclamen travel well in cool weather and less well in a heatwave, so expect a few limp leaves after a hot transit; they firm up within days. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse indoor flowering plants
• How to choose the right pot size
• Halios Timboon Curly Cyclamen for a mixed colour version
• More plants suited to containers

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Cyclamen tubers contain saponins toxic to cats and dogs. Keep pots off floor level if your pet digs or chews.

Will it flower again next year?

Yes, if you respect the summer rest. Once the leaves yellow in late spring, stop watering and store the pot dry and shaded, then resume in early autumn.

Why are the leaves turning yellow?

In spring this is normal dormancy. At any other time it usually means too much water or water sitting in the crown, so check the drainage and water from the saucer instead.

Can I grow it outdoors in Brisbane or Darwin?

Not in the ground. Summer humidity rots the tuber in warm northern gardens, so treat it as a seasonal indoor plant there and enjoy it through the cooler months.