Mammoth Dark Violet Florist Cyclamen

Mammoth Dark Violet Florist Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum 'Mammoth Dark Violet') is a large, sturdy flowering tuber, about 60cm tall and wide, with strong purple pink flowers of exceptional depth above deeper coloured leaves marked with silver. Bred by Dutch breeders for bigger plants and bigger blooms, it is the Mammoth series at its most intense. It flowers through the cooler months.

Why you'll love it

• Intense purple pink. A strongly saturated colour, set off by leaves that are purple on the reverse and deeper in tone than the other Mammoth colours.
• Twice the scale. Mammoth cyclamen are bred for larger, sturdier plants and grow to double the size of the wild species.
• Big flowers on strong stems. Large, silky blooms stand firmly upright and gather toward the centre in a full dome.
• Marbled foliage. The silver marked, heart shaped leaves are handsome in their own right between flushes.
• Comfortable in shade. It prefers bright dappled light or part shade, which is useful in darker corners.

Where it works best

Indoors near bright light. A windowsill, kitchen bench or entry table out of direct afternoon sun suits it. Cool rooms away from heaters keep the flowers longest.

Pots under cover. One plant in a 30cm pot looks full on a covered patio, balcony or by the front door, and is easy to move out of the weather.

Shaded garden edges. In mild winter gardens, plant 60cm apart at the front of a border in bright, dappled shade, out of the path of frost.

Growing Mammoth Dark Violet Florist Cyclamen in Australia

Position and climate. Grow it in bright dappled light or part shade, sheltered, with temperatures above about 5C and no frost. Subtropical and warm temperate gardens can keep it on a shaded verandah in winter; cool temperate and frosty areas should keep it indoors. It is a cool season plant, so shelter it from hot afternoon sun.

Soil. Use a good potting mix with extra drainage, or a loose, compost enriched bed. Keep the top of the tuber above the soil line, as in the tube, so water never sits on it.

Water and feed. Keep the mix evenly moist but never soggy, watering at the pot edge so the crown stays dry. While it flowers, feed fortnightly with a liquid flowering plant fertiliser.

Pruning. Tidy as you go by pulling spent stems and yellowing leaves cleanly from the base. In summer, when the plant naturally goes dormant, water sparingly, and restart regular watering when leaves return.

What to expect when it arrives

Each Mammoth Dark Violet Florist Cyclamen arrives as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It is a small tuber with a tuft of leaves, not a plant in full flower, and it needs a season to build towards its 60cm size. Flowering comes with the cooler months.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• All cyclamen colours and series
• Flowering plants for pots and gardens
• Plants for balconies
• How to keep your indoor plants alive

Common questions

Is it safe for pets and children?

Not around pets or small children. The tuber is poisonous if eaten, so choose a high shelf or a room that pets cannot enter.

What is the difference between Mammoth and Leopardo?

Mammoth is bred for larger, sturdier plants and bigger flowers, at about 60cm. Leopardo stays near 40cm and is bred for extra heat resilience, so pick Mammoth for a big pot and Leopardo for a warm, compact spot.

Can I grow it outdoors?

Yes, in a sheltered, shaded spot that stays frost free, such as a covered verandah or a protected bed. Where frosts occur, grow it indoors or under cover through winter.