When ELIXIA® was unveiled for the first time at IPM Essen, it marked far more than the launch of a new cyclamen. It was the public emergence of a vision that began more than twenty years ago, one rooted in curiosity, perseverance, and an ambition to rethink what cyclamen breeding could achieve.
This innovation is the result of a long scientific journey, initiated in the early 2000s by Guy Morel, who first imagined the potential of an interspecific hybrid between Cyclamen persicum and Cyclamen purpurascens. At the time, the idea was bold, even unconventional. The genetic gap between the two species made success uncertain, and outcomes unpredictable. But the promise was there: fragrance, longevity, and a more natural, perennial behavior.
“My father was always convinced that cyclamen still had untapped potential,” explains Héloïse Morel. “He believed that by crossing species with very different traits, we could open entirely new paths, far beyond the traditional seasonal cyclamen.”
Years of persistence behind a single breakthrough
After Guy Morel stepped away from active breeding, the research did not stop. The R&D team continued the hybridization work, generation after generation, testing, observing, and discarding countless combinations.
Most hybrids showed limited fertility or unstable behavior. But eventually, one stood out.
“There was a moment when the team realized that one hybrid behaved differently,” recalls Héloïse. “It was more fertile, more stable, and expressed a unique combination of traits we had been hoping for, but had never quite seen come together before.”
That hybrid became the foundation of ELIXIA®: the first interspecific cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum × Cyclamen purpurascens) bred from seed, now protected under CPOV No. 2025/2348
A cyclamen shaped by nature, refined by breeding
ELIXIA® brings together characteristics rarely combined in a single cyclamen:
• A naturally intense and long-lasting fragrance, inherited from C. purpurascens
• Continuous flowering throughout the year, with peak performance in spring and autumn
• A perennial habit, with frost resistance down to –10 °C
• Strong plant volume, dense evergreen foliage, and excellent performance in shade and partial shade
• Low susceptibility to botrytis
• And a genuine ability to attract pollinators and contribute to biodiversity
These traits redefine the role of cyclamen—not as a short-lived seasonal plant, but as a long-term garden and landscape component, suited for borders, flower beds, and woodland-style plantings.
“What makes ELIXIA® special is not just one feature,” says Héloïse.
“It’s the balance. Fragrance, durability, flowering continuity, and garden performance all working together in a coherent way.”
Bred for professionals, from seed to market
Beyond its genetic originality, ELIXIA® was developed with professional cultivation in mind. Bred from seed, it follows a clear and reliable production protocol, with first flowering occurring approximately 35–40 weeks after sowing, once the plant reaches maturity.
For growers, this opens new perspectives:
• A differentiated product with strong storytelling
• Extended sales windows
• Opportunities beyond traditional cyclamen seasons
• And a plant aligned with current expectations around sustainability and biodiversity
More than a new variety: a statement for the future
ELIXIA® is not the result of a trend-driven decision. It is the outcome of long-term thinking, proof that patient breeding, guided by conviction rather than shortcuts, can still lead to true breakthroughs.
“ELIXIA® represents what we believe breeding should be,” concludes Héloïse. “A long-term commitment, combining scientific rigor with intuition, and always keeping future uses in mind.”
Please contact your area manager for further information regarding availability and opportunities to evaluate ELIXIA® under your own growing conditions.
