Eastern Sowbread
Also known as: Cyclamen coum · Persian Violet
Poisonous — do not eat
When & where
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Sow into a fine seed mix, cover only as deep as the seed requires, and keep evenly moist until germination. Harden off before planting out, then pinch young plants once to encourage branching.
Grower's tip
Cyclamen coum — Eastern Sowbread, Persian Violet.
Soil preferences
Well-drained garden soil. Native/wildflower species prefer lean soil; cutting flowers prefer richer beds.
6.0–7.0
Work 1 in of compost into beds before sowing. Skip nitrogen fertilizer on wildflowers — it favors foliage over blooms.
Watering
1 in per week during establishment, drought-tolerant once rooted for most species.
Deep, infrequent soakings at the base. Overhead water on ornamentals promotes botrytis and rust.
Overwatered: rotted crowns, mildew, floppy stems. Underwatered: small blooms, curled leaves, quick fade.
Prefers bottom-watering — The tuber sits at the soil line and rots if it stays wet. Set the pot in shallow water 15 min, then drain — never pour on the crown.
Temperature tolerance
60–80°F (16–27°C) ideal for most annuals
50–65°F (10–18°C)
Cool-season annuals (larkspur, poppy, snapdragon) tolerate light frost; warm-season annuals (zinnia, cosmos, marigold) are frost-tender.
Container growing
Possible with the right cultivar
8–14 in (20–35 cm) wide
Compact and dwarf types do best in pots; tall cutting flowers need staking.
Detailed harvesting
Nothing here is harvested for the kitchen. Wear gloves for any cutting or deadheading, keep the sap off your skin and eyes, and wash your hands and tools afterwards.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Do not dry, store or preserve any part of this plant near food. Bag prunings for the bin — never compost them where animals browse, and never burn them.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Ornamental only — this plant is poisonous and has no food, tea or home-remedy use. Grow it for looks, wear gloves, and keep it away from children, pets and livestock.
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Mostly insect-pollinated (outcrossing).
For pure strains, isolate 150–800 ft or bag heads. Wildflower mixes are meant to cross freely.
Stop deadheading favorite blooms; let heads dry brown and rattling on the stem, then collect into a paper bag.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for eastern sowbread in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
My Eastern Sowbread notes
Eastern Sowbread seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
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