Cineraria plants, with their vibrant, daisy-like blooms, offer a captivating display of color, often seen in shades of blue, purple, pink, red, and white. These cheerful flowers frequently feature contrasting centers, adding to their visual appeal. Cineraria is a popular choice for adding a burst of color to containers, window boxes, and indoor settings, particularly during cooler seasons.
Understanding Annuals and Perennials
An annual plant completes its entire life cycle, from germination to seed production, within a single growing season, then dies.
In contrast, a perennial plant lives for more than two years, often returning year after year. Many perennials, especially herbaceous types in cold climates, may die back to the ground in autumn but regrow from their rootstock or other underground structures in the spring.
Cineraria’s True Nature
Cineraria, specifically Pericallis x hybrida (also known as Florist’s Cineraria), is botanically classified as a tender perennial. Despite its perennial classification, it is widely cultivated and often treated as an annual in most climates, particularly outside of its native, frost-free regions. Temperatures below 35°F (1.7°C) can cause damage or be lethal.
Cineraria struggles in excessive heat, with temperatures above 80°F (26.7°C) often causing blooms to cease. Maintaining ideal cool conditions indoors can be challenging for home growers, contributing to its treatment as an annual. The plant also tends to decline in vigor and rarely re-blooms with the same intensity after its initial flowering, leading many gardeners to replace it.
Cultivating Cineraria for Longevity
Cineraria thrives in bright, indirect light, as direct sunlight can scorch its leaves and flowers. Placing it near an east or north-facing window indoors or in a partially shaded outdoor location provides suitable conditions.
Consistent moisture is important for Cineraria, requiring the soil to remain moist but not waterlogged to prevent root rot. Watering should be done at the base of the plant, checking that the top inch of soil feels dry before rewatering.
The plant performs best in cool temperatures, ideally between 50-65°F (10-18°C), which prolongs its blooms. Temperatures consistently above 70°F (21°C) can stress the plant and inhibit flowering.
Cineraria prefers moderate to high humidity. To increase humidity, especially indoors, one can use a pebble tray filled with water or a humidifier.
Regular removal of spent blooms, known as deadheading, encourages more flowers and extends the blooming period. This practice helps maintain the plant’s tidy appearance and redirects energy towards new growth.
While challenging, overwintering Cineraria is possible in very mild climates (USDA Zones 9-11) or indoors. This involves moving the plant to a cool, bright, and humid environment before the first frost, though robust re-blooming is often difficult.