Primula as a houseplant -- Dormant or dying?

last year

I bought a grocery store gorgeous primula in January. It bloomed almost 2 months! I moved it to a northeast windowsill hoping to keep it as a houseplant with potential reblooming next year. It did fine for awhile but now looks like crap. Not sure if it is dying or going dormant? I've been careful with watering -- not too much. It wilted once or twice in its lifetime here and some water brought it back nicely. But now the leaves are crispy even though the soil is moist.

Toss? or find a place for it to go dormant?

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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

last year

last modified: last year

The Spruce is unfortunately a poor source of gardening information.

Your plant is not simply 'a primrose'. It is a specific species of tender Primula. ie Primula obconica. That is the name to use when searching for information. Keep it in a cool room in good light but not direct hot sunlight. Take care with watering giving it a good soak until water runs out through the drainage holes but not allowing it to sit in water. Don't wet the foliage. If you are putting it outside wait until temperatures are moderate. It won't enjoy less than about 50f. Be aware it can cause skin allergies in some people.

https://www.ukhouseplants.com/plants/primula#:~:text=Primroses%20are%20a%20tender%20perennial,overall%20show%20lasting%20three%20weeks.

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Comments (11)

WendyB 5A/MA
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Doesn't exactly answer my question, but I did find this informative piece of info from

The Spruce

I'll put mine outside and cross my fingers there's something left in it to be revived.

Potting and Repotting Primrose

Primroses purchased as potted houseplants that are forced for early blooming can be kept growing almost indefinitely, moved outdoors during summer, and back indoors for winter. However, they will soon revert to their normal flowering rhythm, which is to bloom in early spring.
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WendyB 5A/MA
Original Author
last year
Thanks Floral, as I said, I did all that after the bloom was over. It was doing well until recently. What do you think of the picture I posted? Is it dying? I think I was thinking that primula was ephemeral and could be going dormant. Not sure where I got that idea.

As with most grocery store purchases, the tag only contained the genus. At least it didn't say "assorted floral" LOL!

Overnight temps are moderating. I trimmed up the worst of the foliage and will see if it puts out any new growth being outside. I have a nice mostly shady spot on my deck for it, but if it looks like crap for long, I'm tossing it. Deck plants have to earn their keep!
David Gray
last year
They are not suitable houseplants. Put it outside, or put it out of its misery.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
last modified: last year
Did you read the link I gave? Primula obconica is certainly suitable as a house plant. Indeed it is the only way to grow it in some climates. It can be put outside in summer, like any house plant, but it is perfectly possible to keep it happy for several years inside.
WendyB 5A/MA
Original Author
last year
Yes, I did. We don't know if mine is Primula obconica. I thought you were suggesting that a species name would be helpful. Primroses forced for sale are often hybrids developed for the mass markets here. The link was helpful info (and I'm saving it for the future) but now that mine is in the state it is, those indoor tips are too late. My link also said similar about longevity and houseplant-ness.

I do think my current problem is falsely thinking ephemeral was a possibility. I suspect @David Gray is right but I'm going to give mine a 2nd chance outside!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
Yours IS Primula obconica, Wendy.

Sorry, I was asking Dave Gray, if he exists, if he'd read the link. It contradicts his bold assertion.
David Gray
last year
In most homes there is not any room cool enough to give this primula a proper dormancy. They are highly susceptible to fungus in the house. I still say it is not suitable as a long term houseplant.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
It can be moved out of the house for dormancy. Enclosed porch, greenhouse etc.
WendyB 5A/MA
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
I was planning on moving it to the garage in the fall. That's what I do with my amaryllis bulbs that summer outside and rebloom in January/February (if I am lucky!)

I will report back
UpperBayGardener (zone 7)
last year
A discussion about these houseplant primroses, that I'd never given much thought to

https://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17856.0

Efloras of China says up to 3300m - even in Yunnan, that should be hardy enough for the UK! But apparently the greenhouse hybrids are based on tenderer subspecies...and have probably been bred for so many generations they've lost any semblance of hardiness. Kind of like the way hybridized Cyclamen persicums are even more tender than the wild ones.