Cyclamen persicum 'Verona Red' is a stunning florist's cyclamen bearing rich, velvety red blooms held gracefully above a mound of beautifully marbled, heart-shaped foliage. A bold and cheerful choice for brightening interiors through the cooler months, this compact perennial delivers a generous and long-lasting display of colour from autumn well into winter.
Habit & Appearance
Bold flowers, decorative foliage. 'Verona Red' produces an abundance of swept-back, reflexed blooms in a deep, saturated red that makes an immediate impression — whether displayed as a standalone specimen or grouped with other seasonal plants. The flowers are carried on slender, upright stems above a dense rosette of dark green, heart-shaped leaves intricately patterned with silver and pewter marbling. Foliage remains attractive and ornamental throughout the season, providing interest long between individual flushes of bloom. This is a naturally free-flowering cyclamen, capable of continuing its display for many weeks when given the right conditions.
Growing Conditions
Position. Cyclamen persicum thrives in cool, bright, indirect light. Indoors, a well-lit windowsill away from harsh direct sunlight is ideal — south-facing windows in strong sun should be avoided. Equally important is keeping the plant away from heat sources such as radiators, open fires, and warm appliances, as excessive warmth will shorten flowering. A cool hallway, porch, or lightly heated but airy room is often the best environment, with temperatures of around 10–18°C providing ideal conditions. During mild spells, plants can be placed in a sheltered outdoor position, but must always be brought inside well before any risk of frost, as Cyclamen persicum is not frost hardy.
Soil & watering. Plant into a free-draining, humus-rich, peat-free compost and ensure the container has good drainage. The corm should sit slightly proud of the compost surface rather than being buried. Waterlogging must be avoided, as it rapidly leads to corm rot.
Care
Watering. Keep the compost consistently moist but never saturated. The best approach is to water from below — stand the pot in a shallow tray of water for approximately 30 minutes, then remove and allow it to drain completely. This prevents water from collecting around the crown and corm, which can cause rotting. Allow the surface of the compost to dry slightly between waterings, and always empty any excess water from saucers after watering.
Feeding & deadheading. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every two to three weeks while the plant is in active growth and flower to maintain vigour and encourage continued blooming. Remove spent blooms and yellowing leaves promptly by gently twisting and pulling the entire stem away cleanly at the base — do not cut, as leaving stumps can encourage rotting that may spread to the corm. Regular deadheading stimulates the plant to produce fresh flowers throughout the season.
After Flowering
Once blooming comes to an end in late spring, gradually reduce watering to allow the plant to enter its natural summer dormancy. Store the dormant corm in its pot in a cool, dry, frost-free place out of direct sunlight. In late summer or early autumn, repot into fresh compost, resume careful watering, and return the plant to a cool, bright position — the corm will soon begin producing fresh foliage and flower buds, ready to repeat its display through the coming season.
