Pericallis

( perr - ih - CAL - iss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes flowering herbaceous plants commonly called Ragwort or Cineraria. They are typically grown in partial shade and need regular waterings to bloom and perform well. Species are native to the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores. They form subshrubs with colorful daisy-form blooms in shades of white, pink, blue, and purple. Grow Cineraria in mixed beds and borders, in containers, or as members of informal, cottage, pollinator, or cut flower gardens.

Pericallis Species and Varietals

The genus Pericallis is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes 15 distinct species of flowering plants. Historically, the plants in this genus have been placed in the genera Senecio or Cineraria. They grow best in zones 16, 17 and 22-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Pericallis appendiculata
This species of Pericallis is endemic to the Canary Islands, and produces white daisy-form flowers that bloom from spring through autumn (typically May through October). Plants reach between 15 and 20 inches tall when in bloom. Flowers are white with tannish yellow centers. Foliage is green.

Pericallis echinata (Pink Marguerite, Canary Rikka Banti)
These upright herbaceous perennials reach between 12 and 20 inches tall when in bloom. They are native to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, and produce rounded green leaves with toothed margins. Flowers are pink with light yellow to tan centers, and bloom in inflorescences of between 11 and 14 blossoms each.

Pericallis x hybridus (Senecio x hybridus) (Florists' Cineraria)
Also known under the botanical name Senecio x hybridus and the common name Florists' Cineraria, this perennial is usually grown as an annual, and needs partial to full shade and regular water. This is a great perennial flower for cooler climates, and produces clusters of daisy flowers in pink, purple, red, and blue, often with contrasting eyes or bands. There are many varieties, including dwarf selections.

Caring for Pericallis

Pericallis, or Cineraria, is best grown in partial or filtered shade. It does not perform well when grown in full sun. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 6.0 (slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. They do not grow well in soil that is compacted, and prefer a loose substrate. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, these flowers appreciate a consistently moist substrate, but cannot tolerate soggy soil.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Cineraria is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage as it appears, and deadhead regularly to neaten appearance and discourage reseeding in the garden. If you will be collecting seeds for propagation, make sure to leave a few seed heads on the plant to mature. After flowering is over in the summertime, plants are typically pulled and replaced with warm-season, summer-flowering annuals. In mild-weather zones, these plants can be treated as tender perennials and left out to grow year-round.

Growing Pericallis in Containers
Pericallis, or Cineraria, plants can be grown either in the ground or in pots on patios or balconies. Choose a container that has good drainage holes on the bottom and is just slightly larger than the nursery container the plant was purchased in. Cineraria likes to be slightly root-bound. Fill the container with well-draining substrate amended with perlite, and plant your Pericallis. Water it in, and then apply a thick layer of mulch over the top of the soil to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Place the pot in an area that gets partial shade; Cineraria does not do well in full sun. Water new and established plantings regularly. Pericallis grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those in the ground. Pruning Cineraria is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage as it appears, and deadhead regularly to neaten appearance and discourage reseeding in the garden. If you will be collecting seeds for propagation, make sure to leave a few seed heads on the plant to mature. After flowering is over in the summertime, plants are typically pulled and replaced with warm-season, summer-flowering annuals. In mild-weather zones, these plants can be treated as tender perennials and left out to grow year-round.

Propagation

Pericallis, or Cineraria, can be propagated best in two ways: by seed or by cutting. If you are looking to create an exact replica of your plant, you will want to use the cutting method of propagation, as propagation by seed does not guarantee a clone of the parent plant.

Propagating Pericallis by Seed
To propagate via seed, gather the following materials: a bag, a pot (or planting tray), soil that is one part compost, two parts sand with a little limestone added in, and a spray bottle with water. Follow these directions to propagate your Stonecress from seed:

In late summer, leave some of flowers on your existing plant and allow them to come to seed. Remove the seed pod cluster after it has dried, turned brown and some of the seed pods have begun to open and release their contents. Harvest the seeds from the seed pods and place them in a bag. This plant can self-sow if the conditions are right, but to ensure a new plant from seed, it is best to sow indoors in wintertime. Store your harvested seeds in a cool, dark place until about 10-12 weeks before the last frost of spring in your area.
Prepare your pots or seed trays with your potting mix and water to ensure drainage is occurring. Plant more seeds than you want new plants, as not all seeds will germinate. Place your seeds on top of the soil and cover with more potting mix. Water. Place your seed pots or trays in an indoor area that stays around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and receives bright indirect light, or place them in a greenhouse.
The seeds will take between 14 and 21 days to germinate. After the danger of frost has passed in your area, you can transplant your new Cineraria outside in its garden location.

Propagating Pericallis by Cutting
The best time to take cuttings from an existing plant is in fall. To propagate by cutting, you'll need clean, sharpened garden shears, potting mix (one part compost, two parts sand and a little limestone added in), a pot (or pots, depending on how many cuttings you'll be taking), rooting hormone and a pencil. Once you've gathered your materials, follow these instructions:

Choose a Cineraria plant to propagate. It should be a healthy plant with new growth and should get some water the night before you take your cutting. Pick a healthy stem tip and make a 4-6 inch cutting. Cut quickly and evenly to take the healthiest cutting possible.
Add potting medium to your pot, and give it some water, ensuring that it has good drainage. Make a hole with your pencil in the medium, about two inches down. Dip your cutting in rooting hormone and place it in the hole. Fill in soil around it. Pat down just enough so the cutting stands up by itself. Give it some water.
Keep the soil around your plant somewhat moist as it grows, and ensure that it is in a place that gets bright indirect light and stays at a temperature of between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the danger of frost has passed the next spring, you can transplant your cutting to its final home outdoors.
Pericallis propagated via cutting can take between 3 and 4 months to begin producing flowers.