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Cyclamen hederifolium

Ivy-leaved Cyclamen · Sowbread · Hardy Cyclamen

Family PrimulaceaeGenus Cyclamen

Pale pink flowers with swept-back petals and dark mouths on curling stalks, over ivy-shaped leaves in leaf litter
FlowerPLAKLECC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Bulb, Herbaceous PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
tuberous geophytePlants of the World Online
Height
4-6 in10-15 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
0.5-1 ft15-30 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Pink, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
FallExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Albania, Bulgaria, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Italy and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
5-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Hederifolium means ivy-leaved. After flowering, the flower stem coils tightly down from its tip until the seed pod rests above the tuber. Wikipedia: Cyclamen hederifolium

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 14, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 13, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 28 days.

90% germination in 28 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cyclamen p. 128Public domain
Show the original text
Cyclamen (Primulaceae). Germination is hypogeal with first formation of a corm and multiple branching root system followed after an interval of 1-2 m by emergence of a true leaf. C. neapolitanum had markedly different germination patterns for fresh seed and DS seed. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(25% in 3rd w)-70-40(50% in 5th w) and 40-70- 40-70-40(90% in 4th w). Seed DS at 70 or 40 germ. 70(75% in 11th w)-40(20% in 3rd w) and 40-70(15% in 12 th w)-40(60% in 12th w)-70. I y '2 129- -
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cyclamen p. 128. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 5, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 4, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    25 germinated in this phase.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 35 days.

50% germination in 35 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cyclamen p. 128Public domain
Show the original text
Cyclamen (Primulaceae). Germination is hypogeal with first formation of a corm and multiple branching root system followed after an interval of 1-2 m by emergence of a true leaf. C. neapolitanum had markedly different germination patterns for fresh seed and DS seed. Fresh seed germ. 70-40(25% in 3rd w)-70-40(50% in 5th w) and 40-70- 40-70-40(90% in 4th w). Seed DS at 70 or 40 germ. 70(75% in 11th w)-40(20% in 3rd w) and 40-70(15% in 12 th w)-40(60% in 12th w)-70. I y '2 129- -
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cyclamen p. 128. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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