Q I have been given an especially lovely indoor cyclamen that is just the right size and has gorgeous flowers and patterned leaves. How can I keep this from year to year?
Angela Cornish, Clitheroe, Lancashire
My favourite houseplants are always those that have been carefully nurtured for several years. They settle to their environment, leave behind that, a perky, tender species originally from the south-east Mediterranean region and North Africa. The many hybrids vary a lot in size, colour and intensity of sweet, peppery scent. I have heard of cyclamen that have been kept going for over 40 years, and my oldest plant is 12 years old.