Cineraria Pericallis

Class

Dicotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Pericallis

Species

hybrida

Description

Cineraria Senetti is distinguished by its brightly coloured, sometimes fluorescent flowers, which stand out visually like few other species.

It has a rounded, fairly compact growth habit with excellent branching.

Its resistance to low temperatures allows it to be grown in autumn and winter alongside primroses and nemesias, thus ensuring very early flowering in a season when it has few rivals in terms of visual appeal. Flowering continues until mid-June in the lowlands and mid-July in the mountains.

Curiosities and special features

The uniqueness of its flowers is highlighted by the very name of the botanical genus; indeed, Pericallis derives from the Greek ‘peri’, meaning ‘all around’, and ‘callos’, meaning ‘beauty’, emphasising that it radiates beauty all around itself.

Origin and distribution

A hybrid native to the Canary Islands (Tenerife), resulting from a cross between P. cruenta and P. lanata.

Leaf

The leaves have a cordate-reniform blade.

Leaf colour

A solid colour, designed to further bring out the flowers’ colour tones.

Plant height

The plant’s height ranges from 0.25 to 0.4 m.

Lifespan

A perennial herb, but mainly grown as an annual.

Where to plant

Owing to its well-developed habit and the height it reaches, it is well suited as a plant for balconies, pots and window boxes, where it will add great decorative value with its lush, colourful blooms.

Stem

The stem is herbaceous; the plant has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, medium-sized, with a dialipetal corolla. The petals are bicoloured, featuring an ‘eye’ and a single colour. It forms medium-sized head-like inflorescences. It flowers from mid-winter to early summer, with a flowering period of between 70 and 100 days. It attracts bees and bumblebees.

Growth

It is characterised by a rounded, well-proportioned growth habit.

Plant habit

The plant has a upright growth habit, which is visually emphasised by the flower heads.

Branching

Theabundant branching gives a dense and uniform finish.

PH

It requires a slightly acidic substrate pH, with optimum values between 5.5 and 6.2.

Sun exposure

Suitable for locations in partial shade or dappled shade, sheltered from direct sunlight during the hottest and sunniest hours of the day.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 8 and 20 °C during the growing season, to ensure proper development and full flowering.

Use

Widely appreciated, not least for its resistance to low temperatures, in:
Outdoor ornamental use Indoor ornamental use

During cold winters with frost, it is best kept as a houseplant.

Hardiness

It is moderately hardy and can withstand low temperatures, but not winter frosts if grown outdoors.

Soil

Use a good-quality potting mix, specifically designed for spring-flowering plants.

Difficulty

It isfairly easy to grow, but requires a moderate amount of care.

Growing tips

Some growing tips to encourage better vegetative growth and full flowering:
Avoid direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day In hilly areas above 300 m, it can be left in the sun all day. Place outdoors once there is no longer any risk of frost It prefers a cool climate

Combinations with other plants

As it is grown in autumn and winter, it can be planted in planters or pots alongside primroses and nemesias.

Pruning

Remove any wilted flowers.

Propagation

Multiplication is by seed.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively tap water or canal water with an optimal neutral pH.

Allow the growing medium to dry out slightly between waterings.

Cineraria Senetti has high leaf transpiration and can easily wilt on the hottest days, but it recovers quickly following regular watering.

Prevent the plant from drying out, as this can lead to necrosis of the leaf margins.

If the plant is under stress and shows signs of slight wilting, it may benefit from light leaf misting on sunny, windy days.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilising

From late autumn to mid-spring, add a general-purpose fertiliser for flowering plants to the previously moistened compost; dilute it in the watering water and apply it without exceeding the recommended dose or frequency, on average every two weeks.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Edibility for humans

Non-edible

Tip

On the balcony, it is a plant that thrives in partial shade or morning sun. During the cooler months of February and March, it can also be placed in full sun, but as the weather warms up, to ensure the flowers last longer, it should be moved to a spot sheltered from strong sun and excessive heat. From late April onwards, it requires plenty of water if kept in small pots, whilst when repotted into pots up to 20–25 cm in diameter, it not only grows more vigorously but is also easier to water. Its fluorescent flowers last a long time even as cut flowers indoors, bringing unrivalled brightness to wherever they are placed.