How to Grow Cineraria
Pericallis × hybrida
Florist's Cineraria is a showy cool-season annual producing dense domes of vibrant daisy-like flowers in jewel tones — blue, purple, magenta, pink, and bicolours. Prefers cool temperatures (10-16°C) and bright indirect light. Ideal as a pot plant for cool conservatories, porches, and sheltered patios. Hates heat and direct sun. Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Discard after flowering finishes.
When to Start
Sow indoors 10 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors after frost risk has passed and soil reaches 10°C.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Feed fortnightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser once flower buds appear. Stop feeding once flowers are fully open — it won't extend the display and can cause soft growth.
- A spectacular cool-season pot plant producing dense rounded heads of vivid daisy flowers in an extraordinary colour range. Originally from the Canary Islands, it thrives in cool, bright conditions (10-16°C) and makes a stunning display on shaded porches, cool conservatories, and north-facing windowsills. Not frost-hardy and intolerant of heat — treat as a temporary display plant. The intense flower colours (electric blue, deep purple, hot pink) are unmatched by almost any other bedding plant.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 10°C+
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 25 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Mature height | 30 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Space 25-30 cm apart in containers or sheltered beds. Often grown as a pot plant for cool conservatories and porches.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Soft-bodied green or black insects clustered on new growth and flower stems; sticky honeydew residue on leaves.
- Spray with a strong jet of water to dislodge colonies.
- Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil solution to affected areas.
- Apply a systemic insecticide containing imidacloprid or acetamiprid.
Pest Leaf Miner
Identification: Pale winding tunnels visible through leaf tissue; larvae visible inside when held to light.
- Remove and destroy affected leaves immediately.
- Yellow sticky traps to monitor adult flies.
- Spray with a contact insecticide containing spinosad.
Disease Grey Mould Botrytis cinerea
Symptoms: Fluffy grey fungal growth on stems, leaves, and flowers; affected tissue collapses and rots.
Treatment: Remove all affected plant parts immediately. Improve air circulation and reduce humidity.
Prevention: Water from below; avoid wetting foliage; keep temperatures cool and ensure good ventilation.
Disease Powdery Mildew Erysiphe cichoracearum
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaf surfaces; leaves yellow and distort.
Treatment: Remove affected leaves; apply a sulphur-based fungicide if severe.
Prevention: Maintain good air circulation; avoid overcrowding; keep plants cool.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 10°C |
| Base growth temperature | 7°C |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Cineraria?
- Plant Cineraria 25cm apart with 30cm between rows.
- When does Cineraria flower?
- Cineraria typically flowers approximately 60 days after transplanting.
- Is Cineraria frost hardy?
- Cineraria is classified as Half Hardy.
