Metis Abanico Cyclamen

Metis Abanico Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum 'Metis Abanico') flowers through the coldest, dullest months, when most pots have nothing to offer. It is a compact midi type, about 22cm tall and 25cm across, with frilled bicoloured petals on upright stems above marbled heart shaped leaves.

Why you'll love it

• It flowers when nothing else does. The display runs through winter into spring, covering the months a courtyard or balcony goes quiet.
• Frilled two tone petals. Ruffled and shaded through two colours, with far more character than a plain cyclamen.
• Leaves worth having on their own. Silver marbled and neatly mounded, good for weeks before the first bud opens.
• Sized for small spaces. At around 22cm it suits a windowsill, a table or a balcony rail planter.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. A 130mm to 200mm pot with free draining mix is ideal. Group three in a wider bowl, crowns kept clear of each other.

Indoors. A cool, bright room out of direct sun. Keep it away from heaters, because warmth is what ends a cyclamen early.

Balconies and courtyards. A winter filler for a sheltered path edge or a courtyard pot, anywhere bright without harsh afternoon sun.

Growing Metis Abanico Cyclamen in Australia

Position and climate. Cool and bright, never direct sun. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens and takes light frost only, so keep it under cover where frosts are hard. In warm humid regions grow it indoors.

Soil. Free draining mix, ideally an African violet blend or a standard mix opened up with perlite. The tuber sits with its top just proud of the surface, because burying it invites rot.

Water and feed. Water into the saucer rather than over the crown, let the surface dry slightly between drinks, and tip out anything left after twenty minutes. Half strength liquid fertiliser every three weeks while it flowers.

After flowering. Twist spent flowers and yellow leaves off at the base rather than cutting them. Yellowing in late spring means dormancy, so move it somewhere dry and shaded, stop watering, and start again in late summer.

What to expect when it arrives

Grown as tube stock, so plants arrive young rather than in flower. Pot yours up on arrival and expect a leaf mound first, with flowering once it has filled its pot. That costs a fraction of a flowering plant and gives you several seasons from the same tuber.

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

• Browse indoor flowering plants
• Compact plants for balconies
• Plants for partial shade
• Find a pot to suit it

Common questions

Why are the leaves going yellow?

Late in the season this is normal dormancy. Out of season it usually means the plant is too warm or has been watered over the crown, so move it somewhere cooler and water from below.

How long will it flower for?

Through winter into spring, several months in a cool position. Warmth shortens the season more than anything, so a heated room can cut it to a few weeks.

Can I get it to flower again next year?

Yes. Let it rest through summer once the leaves yellow, keep the tuber shaded and dry, then resume watering in late summer.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Cyclamen are toxic to cats and dogs, the tuber most of all, so keep pots off the floor in a home with pets that chew.