Cyclamen Silverheart™ Scarlet

SilverHeart™ Scarlet is the ideal houseplant for a 3½-, 4-, or 5-inch pot. Just 8 to 10 inches high and wide, it forms a neat little rosette of heart-shaped deep green leaves overlaid with pewter in a fascinating mottled pattern. The dark green edges shape each "silver heart" perfectly, making this one sweetheart of a plant!

The blooms are very abundant, clustered together in the center of the plant like flames. Of their 5 petals, 4 are held straight up, while the 5th turns down, for a distinctive look that distinguishes Cyclamen instantly! As the blooms pass, twist or cut off its dark flowering stem at the base, for a cleaner, healthier look. But expect the flowers to continue for 8 to 10 weeks!

In the home or office, this plant likes cool conditions (about 55 to 65 degrees F) and bright but indirect light. If you want winter blooms, sow it in mid- to late spring, following the instructions below.

SilverHeart™ Scarlet is one of the few C. persicum varieties that fares well in the garden as well as the home. It is much more heat-tolerant than older Cyclamen, so although it may die back in summer, it should reappear in fall and bloom from September through the first frosts. Give it partial shade, let it dry out a bit between watering, and keep the plant clean. It's as simple as that!

Starting Cyclamen from seed can be a challenge, but SilverHeart™ has a high germination rate, and if you follow these tips, you may see those first silvery leaves sooner than you expect! Here's what to do:

1. Soak the seeds in warm water overnight. Then rinse them.

2. Pop them into your Bio Dome (one per Bio Sponge) or, if you are using seed flats, set them on top of a high-quality seed-starting mix, and cover them lightly with vermiculite. Bottom-water the Bio-Dome, or gingerly water the seed flat.

3. Cover the entire Bio Dome or flat with a black plastic bag and set it in a safe place at 68 to 72 degrees for 4 to 6 weeks, checking after 4 weeks to see if sprouts have appeared.

4. When the sprouts are up, uncover the Dome or flat and place it in a brightly lighted spot. If you have grow lights, all the better, but don't worry if not. Kitchen fluorescents work well, as does a south-facing windowsill. Remember to keep the plant quite cool -- 65 degrees is better than 70!

5. Once the seedlings have 2 or 3 true leaves, pot them up individually in their final containers (if growing as houseplants or gifts). Keep them at 55 to 65 degrees F, feed with a houseplant food, and water regularly, allowing the growing plants to dry out slightly between waterings.

6. Expect the first blooms 24 to 26 weeks after sowing -- 6 months is the average.

The pleasure of growing your own Cyclamen from seed, watching the tiny leaves grow larger and acquire their unique shape, is not to be missed! Enjoy. Zones 9-10. Pkt is 10 seeds.