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Pericallis × hybrida

Florist's cineraria

Asteraceae Canary Islands (garden hybrid)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Container Friendly

Overview

Pericallis x hybrida, florist's cineraria, is a compact flowering plant in the daisy family, grown as a cool-season annual or biennial for winter and spring color, mainly as a potted plant. It forms a mounded rosette 8–18 inches (20–45 cm) tall and 8–14 inches (20–35 cm) wide, with large, soft, triangular to heart-shaped leaves 3–8 inches (8–20 cm) long, dark green above and lighter beneath. Above the foliage it carries dense, domed clusters of daisy flowers 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) across in saturated blue, purple, magenta, pink, red, and white, many with a contrasting white ring around the central disk. Bloom lasts four to eight weeks in cool conditions. It grows in bright, indirect light and cool temperatures of 45–60°F (7–16°C) in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Heat above about 75°F (24°C) ends flowering and shortens the plant's life, so it is treated as a temporary, single-season plant in most climates. Aphids, whiteflies, and powdery mildew are common problems, and the plant is sensitive to both drying out and waterlogging.

Native Range

Pericallis x hybrida is a garden hybrid raised from Pericallis spp. species native to the Canary Islands, where its parents grow in laurel forest and on shaded slopes. It is not found in the wild and exists only in cultivation.

Suggested Uses

Used as a winter and spring potted plant indoors, on cool porches, and in shaded containers, and as short-term bedding in mild-winter areas, spaced 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) apart. The massed, saturated daisy colors fill cool-season displays when few other plants bloom. Its heat sensitivity limits it to a single cool season.

How to Identify

Dense, domed heads of daisy flowers 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) across in vivid blue, purple, pink, red, or white, many with a white ring around the disk, sit above the foliage. The leaves are large, soft, and heart-shaped to triangular, 3–8 inches (8–20 cm) long, dark green with a paler, slightly downy underside. The compact rosette form and saturated daisy colors mark it as the florist's cineraria.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'6"

Width/Spread8" - 1'2"

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowering occurs in winter and spring, lasting four to eight weeks where temperatures stay cool. The many small heads open over a few weeks for a long, massed display. Warm weather ends bloom abruptly and the plant declines soon after.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

blue, purple, pink, red, or white

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

The plant grows in bright, indirect light and cool conditions of 45–60°F (7–16°C), in moist, fertile, well-drained potting mix. Even moisture is needed, as the large leaves wilt quickly when dry and rot when waterlogged. Light feeding every two to three weeks during growth supports flowering. Temperatures above about 75°F (24°C) stop bloom and shorten the plant's life. Aphids, whiteflies, leaf miners, and powdery mildew are managed by good airflow, inspection, and insecticidal soap. After flowering the plant is usually discarded rather than carried over.

Pruning

Faded flower heads are removed to keep the display tidy and direct energy to remaining buds. No structural pruning is needed on this short-lived plant. Whole plants are cleared once flowering ends and heat sets in.