What kind of plant is cineraria? Get to know this herbaceous plant

Morphological Characteristics of Cineraria

Perennial herb, stem erect, 30 cm to 70 cm tall, densely covered with white long soft hairs. Cineraria leaves are kidney-shaped or broadly kidney-shaped, green above and grayish-white below, densely covered with soft hairs. Capitulum inflorescence, florets purple-red, light blue, pink, and dense white. Blooming period from January to April, fruiting period from March to July.

Growth Habits of Cineraria

Cineraria likes a warm, humid, and well-ventilated environment. It is not tolerant of high temperatures and is afraid of frost. It is generally cultivated in warm greenhouses, and the temperature should not let leaf tips drop below 5°C. If the room temperature is too high, it easily grows leggy, causing internodes to elongate and losing commercial value. If the temperature is too low, it affects plant growth and flower development becomes small.

Cineraria is a light-loving plant. With sufficient sunlight, the leaves are thick and deep in color, and the flowers are bright. However, excessively strong sunlight can also cause leaves to curl. Cineraria needs to maintain sufficient moisture, but it must not be too wet; it is best if the leaves are not wilting.

Cineraria Varieties

Cineraria is a perennial herbaceous bulbous plant with very bright flower colors; main cultivated varieties include the European "red flower", the African "pink flower", and the Mediterranean "red with spotted markings", etc. The flowering period is from December to April of the following year, with the peak blooming period in February to March. It is one of the main ornamental potted flowers during New Year's Day and the Spring Festival. At Jingchun Flower and Tree Garden, a new variety with multiple colors on one flower has also appeared. Cineraria is cross-pollinated, so there are many horticultural varieties.

There are extremely many horticultural varieties of cineraria. They can be roughly divided into four types: large-flowered, star-shaped, intermediate, and multiflora. Within different types, there are also varieties with different degrees of double flowering and varying heights.

Value and Applications of Cineraria

Cineraria is one of the main flowering ornamental plants in winter and spring. Its flowers are bright and can be planted in flower beds or potted and placed in courtyards and corridors, giving people a fresh and pleasant feeling. Cineraria is a greenhouse flower. As a potted plant for indoor display, its flowering period is early, and blooming in cold winter is especially precious. Its flower colors are rich and bright, especially the blue flowers, which shimmer with a velvet-like luster, elegant and moving. Cineraria blooms neatly and has full flower shapes. It can be placed on low indoor stands, or multiple pots can be arranged in rows to form patterns to decorate hotel inner courtyards, meeting halls, or theater front courtyards, creating a profusion of flowers and a joyful atmosphere. Usually, a single pot can be enjoyed for more than 40 days.

Cineraria Flower Language

The flower language of cineraria is: joy, delight, happiness, family rejoicing, and prosperity.