Cyclamen are compact houseplants that produce butterfly-like flowers atop tall upright stems. Their flowers come in red, white, pink, and lavender and have a pleasant sweet smell.
There are over 20 species of Cyclamen plants native to North Africa and the Mediterranean. The distinctive leaves of a Cyclamen are heart-shaped and marked with a silver design. These relatively small plants, growing only 8-10 in (20-25 cm) in height, are popular gifts for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine's Day. Although some people discard Cyclamen plants once they have finished flowering, we recommend keeping them. These little gems grow and re-bloom as indoor houseplants for several years.