The “horse face plant” is a popular houseplant. Understanding its specific care requirements is key to enjoying its beauty year after year.
What is a Horse Face Plant?
The “horse face plant” is scientifically known as Cyclamen persicum, also called Florist’s or Persian Cyclamen. This herbaceous perennial grows from a tuber and is native to the Mediterranean region, thriving in rocky hillsides, shrubland, and woodlands.
Its unique appearance comes from heart-shaped leaves, often dark green with silver marbling. The distinctive flowers have five upswept, reflexed petals, giving them a delicate, butterfly-like appearance. Blooms come in white, pink, red, magenta, and purple, with some varieties being sweetly scented.
Caring for Your Horse Face Plant
Light Requirements
Horse face plants thrive in bright, indirect light conditions. Placing them near an east-facing window is often ideal, as it provides gentle morning sun without the intensity of direct afternoon light. Direct sunlight, especially during warmer months, can be too harsh and may cause the plant to enter dormancy prematurely or scorch its leaves.
Watering Practices
Watering is crucial for your horse face plant’s health. Water from the bottom by placing the pot in a shallow dish for 20-30 minutes, allowing soil to absorb moisture through drainage holes. This prevents water from sitting on the tuber or crown, which can cause rot. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, keeping it consistently moist but not waterlogged during active growth. Wilting leaves can signal overwatering or underwatering, so check soil moisture.
Soil and Potting
An ideal soil mix is well-draining and rich in organic matter. A regular potting mix amended with sphagnum peat can increase acidity, which cyclamen prefer. Use a pot with adequate drainage holes to prevent water accumulation and ensure proper root aeration. When potting, set the tuber so its top half is slightly above the soil line.
Temperature and Humidity
Horse face plants prefer cooler temperatures, ideally between 50°F and 65°F (10°C to 18°C) during the day, with night temperatures around 40°F to 50°F (4°C to 10°C). High temperatures, especially above 70°F (21°C), can cause buds to fail and may force the plant into early dormancy. Moderate to high humidity is beneficial, especially in winter. To increase humidity, place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, ensuring the pot is not submerged, or use a humidifier. Avoid misting directly on leaves or flowers, as this can encourage disease.
Fertilizing
During the active growing season, typically from fall to spring, fertilize your horse face plant every two to three weeks. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer or a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus houseplant food diluted to half strength. Fertilizing should be stopped completely when the plant enters its dormant period in the summer.
Managing Dormancy
Horse face plants naturally enter dormancy in late spring or early summer after flowering. Signs include yellowing and dying leaves, indicating the plant is preparing for its resting phase. This resting period mimics their native Mediterranean habitat, where summers are hot and dry.
To care for the plant during dormancy, gradually reduce watering as leaves begin to yellow and eventually stop watering almost entirely once foliage has died back. Do not fertilize during this time. Move the potted plant to a cool, dark, and dry location, such as a basement or garage, for approximately two to three months. When new growth begins to appear, usually in early fall, gradually resume watering and move the plant back to a location with bright, indirect light to encourage reblooming.
Common Problems and Solutions
Yellowing leaves on a horse face plant can indicate several issues. Overwatering is a frequent cause, leading to soggy soil and potential root rot, but too much direct sun or the natural onset of dormancy can also result in yellowing foliage. If the soil is consistently wet, allow it to dry out more between waterings, and ensure the plant is not exposed to harsh direct sunlight.
A lack of blooms might stem from insufficient light, incorrect temperatures, or inadequate nutrients. Ensure the plant receives bright, indirect light and is kept in its preferred cool temperature range. Consistent fertilization during the active growing season with a balanced, high-phosphorus fertilizer can also encourage flowering.
Mushy corms or root rot are commonly caused by overwatering and poor drainage. If the corm feels soft, reduce watering immediately and ensure the pot has proper drainage holes. Bottom watering helps prevent water from accumulating around the corm, which is highly susceptible to rot.
Horse face plants can be susceptible to common houseplant pests like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. Aphids can be dislodged with a strong stream of water or treated with insecticidal soap. Spider mites, often indicated by fine webbing and stippled leaves, and cyclamen mites, which cause distorted growth, thrive in low humidity and can be managed with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Isolating affected plants and regular inspection can help prevent widespread infestations.