8 Ravishing Red Cyclamen Varieties Including Elizabeth Waddington’s Favourites
Elizabeth is a Permaculture Garden Designer, Sustainability Consultant and Professional Writer, working as an advocate for positive change. She graduated from the University of St. Andrews with an MA in English and Philosophy and obtained a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design from the Permaculture Association.
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
IN THIS GUIDE
Cyclamen varieties belong to two different groups; hardy cyclamen for growing outdoors, and more tender types which are typically grown as houseplants in the UK.
When choosing a cyclamen variety to grow, it is important to think about where you would like to grow it and to choose the right option for that location.
Of course, other considerations will also come into play, and one of those things is colour.
Cyclamen of the hardy types are usually in shades of pink or white, and even those with the ‘rubrum’ suffix are usually a deeper pink rather than a true red.
However, when it comes to indoor-grown cyclamen, there are several which do have truly red flowers.
Here are some red cyclamens that you could consider growing as houseplants in your home, or as bedding plants towards the end of the season with frost protection.
“Red Cyclamen make a festive statement indoors or out,” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.
“I usually use pots of hardy Cyclamen outside of my front door at Christmas time, which provides a warm festive floral welcome alongside seasonal foliage and berries.”
Note that all cyclamen in this list should be planted in a sheltered location and will grow to less than 0.5m in height and spread.
1) C. persicum ‘Latinia Scarlet Red’
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Part Shade
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
The Latinia Series of cyclamen is a highly regarded series of cultivars which come in a range of different hues, including, for those who love true red blooms, the ‘Scarlet Red’ cultivar.
There is also attractive variegation on the leaves.
This series consists of compact plants with large flowers.
Flowering is uniform, abundant, and fairly early.
These cyclamens are known for their ease of growth and good performance.
2) C. persicum ‘Success Bright Red’
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Part Shade
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
Another trademarked cultivar with the ‘Outstanding Cyclamen’ label is ‘Success Bright Red’.
This is another true red cyclamen variety which can be an excellent houseplant for your home.
It is also a part of the Latinia Series.
These plants have marbled, deep green foliage which perfectly complements the stunning red blooms.
3) C. persicum ‘Verano Red Improved’
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Autumn / Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
The Super Verano Series is another popular series of cyclamen available in the UK.
‘Verano Red Improved’ is the option for those who love true red flowers.
The flowers on this variety bloom abundantly above the heart-shaped leaves.
This series of F1 cyclamen can be grown indoors, or, in the south, may sometimes be grown outdoors.
This series was developed to avoid the flowering delay caused in other cultivars by high temperatures.
4) C. persicum ‘Rainier Scarlet’
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Autumn / Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Loam or sand; acidic / neutral pH
This red-flowered cyclamen from the Rainier Series can make an excellent houseplant, bringing a cheery splash of red colour to your home over the festive period and brightening the place up for Christmas.
Kept in a cool, bright room they should flower for several weeks and may even be coaxed into flowering in subsequent years if cared for correctly.
5) C. persicum ‘Sterling Scarlet’
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Autumn / Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Part Shade / Complete Shade
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
This red cyclamen is in the Sterling Series and is another F1 option with beautiful red blooms.
6) C. persicum ‘Laser Synchro Wine’
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Autumn / Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Part Shade
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
Another offering from the Synchro range, this flower is great for uniformity.
It has medium-sized flowers, flowering early and slightly more vigorously than some other cultivars.
7) C. persicum ‘Midori Synchro Scarlet’
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn / Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
This is another early flowering red flowered option from the Synchro range and is a mini cyclamen option with early flowering which is also good for uniformity.
This variety is suitable for late summer to early autumn production.
8) C. persicum ‘SeeWhy Scarlet’
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Part Shade
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
This is another red flowering mini cyclamen for flowering in late summer to autumn, with small flowers and leaves and a pleasing round habit.
It can work very well for greenhouse cultivation and is the earliest and most uniform in this cyclamen segment.
