Cineraria: Care and Problem Solving

Cineraria are beautiful small flowering plants that make lovely gifts or temporary additions to your home or office. Cineraria are available for purchase during the late winter and early spring. This compact plant has tight bunches of petite daisy like flowers surrounded by large dark green leaves. The flowers can be red, white, blue, or purple; each has an "eye" in the middle surrounded by a small white ring. Cineraria are available in 4" and 6" pots and reach a maximum height of 15-20 inches. This is a temporary houseplant since Cineraria are annual plants and bloom for only about one month. Once the flowers die, it's time to throw Cineraria out or plant them outside! Keep this in mind when purchasing your plant. Be sure that there are lots of buds rather than open flowers so your Cineraria will stay in bloom as long as possible.

Houseplant 411
for the iPhone & i Pod Touch
Plant guides app Houseplant $11
Download Plant guide App from iTunes $4.99

CARE OF CINERARIA

Light: Cineraria need very bright indirect light but cool temperatures. Placement near a north or east-facing window is ideal for this plant Light from south & west facing windows is too hot and causes the flowers on Cineraria to fade quickly.

Water: Keep Cineraria moist but never soggy. Always allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out before you water. When you do water, water well and allow the excess to drain into the drip saucer. Cineraria should sit in the excess water for 15 minutes, then empty the saucer. The more blooms Cineraria have the more water they need.

Temperature: Cineraria require very cool temperatures, 45-55 degrees at night and 55-65 degrees during the day. If it is too warm, the flowers quickly die.

Humidity: Cineraria do well in basic household humidity.

Fertilizer: Feed Cineraria in April with a water-soluble plant food high in phosphorous.

Diseases: Prevent mold from developing on your Cineraria by quickly removing dead leaves and flowers.

Pests: When too little light or too much heat stress Cineraria, they become susceptible to aphids and whiteflies. Use yellow sticky cards on top of the soil for a whitefly problem and spray the green solution at 50% strength for aphids.

Propagation: Seeds are the best way to propagate Cineraria.

Cineraria
Picture of Cineraria

CINERARIA FAQ'S

1. How can I get my Cineraria to bloom again?
You really can't get Cineraria to bloom again unless you live in an area where you can plant them outside; indoors, Cineraria usually bloom only once.

2. My Cineraria keep getting buds but they never open.
Your Cineraria need more light to help the buds open.

3. The leaves of my Cineraria are turning almost black.
Cineraria like it cold, but I think you might be over doing it. Move your plant to a spot that's a little warmer.

4. My Cineraria bloom but the flowers fade really quickly.
Move your Cineraria to a cooler location; but be sure that there is still plenty of light.

5. I love Cineraria, but every one I buy gets mold. What am I doing wrong?
The best ways to prevent mold on Cineraria are: quickly remove any dead leaves and flowers on the plant; keep water off of the leaves; don't mist or over water Cineraria.

This site  The Web 

Home                 About Us                   Contact Us                    Site Index