Florist's cineraria (Pericallis × hybrida)
Discover Florist's cineraria (Pericallis × hybrida), a high-maintenance herbaceous perennial prized for its vibrant, daisy-like blooms.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Florist’s cineraria, scientifically known as Pericallis × hybrida, is celebrated for its incredible display of large, daisy-like flowers that cover the plant in a spectacular rush of color during its blooming season. These plants create dense mounds of foliage topped with masses of blooms in an astonishing range of deep and pastel shades, often exhibiting attractive bicolors. While classified as an herbaceous perennial, Pericallis × hybrida is frequently treated as a temporary potted plant due to its specific and relatively demanding cultural needs.
Gardeners value this selection primarily for its dramatic ornamental impact, making it an excellent choice for seasonal indoor displays. When successfully grown, the vigorous flowering habit of Pericallis × hybrida transforms any space. Success hinges on meticulous care, especially regarding consistent moisture and avoiding extreme temperature fluctuations.
Providing bright, filtered light and maintaining high humidity are key steps for enjoying these showy flowers. Due to its high maintenance requirement, Florist’s cineraria is best suited for experienced gardeners who can provide strict attention to its preferred temperate environment.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Introduced
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Many colors, often bicolors
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: High
How to Grow
When growing Pericallis × hybrida, plan to establish plants where they thrive in humus-rich, cool, moist, and exceptionally well-drained soil. If cultivating outdoors in warmer regions (Zones 9-11), site them in areas that receive protection from direct summer sun, preferring dappled shade. In cooler climates, these are often forced indoors as winter-flowering houseplants.
Watering is perhaps the most critical aspect of Pericallis × hybrida care. Fluctuations are poorly tolerated; overwatering leads quickly to root rots, while underwatering severely diminishes the quality and quantity of flowering. Aim for consistently moist soil, but never soggy. Furthermore, humidity must be kept high, though direct wetting of the leaves should be carefully avoided to prevent fungal issues.
These plants perform best when grown on the cool side, necessitating careful temperature management indoors or selecting a suitable microclimate outdoors. Provide bright, filtered light, especially during the shorter days of winter when forcing bloom indoors. Since they are often grown as intense seasonal displays, fertilizer needs center around supporting heavy bud production; follow specific guidelines for blooming potted plants during their active phase.
Landscape Uses
The primary recommended use for the Florist’s cineraria is as a stunning, temporary florist’s pot plant, typically forced into bloom from late winter well into the spring season, usually spanning Christmas through Easter demand. Though their life cycle often restricts them to temporary displays, they offer intense, season-long color unmatched by many other holiday-season offerings.
When used where they can be treated as annuals in Zones 9-11, they fit perfectly in protected borders or as dazzling container accents that provide saturated color. Group plantings of Pericallis × hybrida together for maximum visual impact during the short time they are in full glory. Because they prefer part shade, they pair well compositionally with shade-tolerant foliage plants that offer structural contrast.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pericallis × hybrida form a neat, compact mound shape, which becomes completely covered with cheerful, daisy-like flowers when in full bloom. Look for named hybrids and strains, as these often display an astonishing range of deep, rich colors alongside softer pastel hues, with many varieties proudly featuring beautiful bicoloration.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Cultivating Pericallis × hybrida successfully requires vigilance against several common issues inherent to their culture, primarily fungal diseases exacerbated by improper moisture management. Problems commonly include powdery mildew, gray mold, and serious fungal crown and root rots, especially if soil drainage is inadequate or watering is inconsistent. Some gardeners also struggle with rust.
Pest management is equally important; aphids can prove serious problems, often appearing in clusters, and infestations of mites, whiteflies, and thrips can rapidly destroy the aesthetic quality of these ornamental blooms. Ensure you keep leaves dry when watering to minimize fungal opportunities, and maintain good air circulation around the plant, even when growing indoors, to help deter pests. Regular scouting is essential for early detection and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Florist’s cineraria suitable for?
Pericallis × hybrida is suitable for outdoor growth in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11. In cooler regions, they must be grown as indoor seasonal plants.
How large does Florist’s cineraria grow?
This plant typically matures to a compact size, reaching heights between 0.75 and 1 foot tall, with a similar spread of 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
What sun exposure does Florist’s cineraria need?
The optimal sun exposure for Pericallis × hybrida is part shade. They thrive when shielded from hot afternoon sun, especially during the summer months.
When does Florist’s cineraria bloom?
Pericallis × hybrida is classified as a seasonal bloomer, providing a spectacular display of many colors, often featuring attractive bicolors.
Conclusion
The vibrant mounds of Pericallis × hybrida, or Florist’s cineraria, provide unparalleled seasonal color, making them a high-value addition to cool-season displays. Success with this plant relies heavily on precision regarding soil drainage, humidity levels, and consistent watering practices. Before purchasing, evaluate your growing environment to ensure you can meet the high maintenance demands required to keep this stunning bloomer thriving through its seasonal peak.
Companion Planting
When using Florist’s cineraria as an outdoor seasonal choice in Zones 9-11, pair them with plants that share a love for part shade and consistently moist, cool soil conditions. Hostas or perennial Geraniums (Cranesbill) offer wonderful textural contrast without competing aggressively for the same light requirements. For container pairings, consider plants with fine texture that enjoy similar cool conditions, such as ornamental grasses or certain types of trailing Ivy used sparingly.
Seasonal Care Calendar
For gardeners treating Pericallis × hybrida as a winter/early spring bloomer (the most common scenario), focus care heavily between late fall and early spring. During this cool-season period, ensure the plant receives the brightest filtered light possible, as light requirements increase when temperatures drop. Maintain high humidity levels consistently throughout the blooming phase, using pebble trays if necessary, while strictly avoiding wetting the foliage, which encourages powdery mildew. After blooming finishes, these plants are typically discarded or moved to an area where they can gradually dry out if you attempt to carry them over, though this practice is difficult.
