''Primula malacoides'', called the fairy primrose or baby primrose, is a

perennial In horticulture, the term perennial ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the year") is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than 2 years. The term is also ...

species of ''

Primula ''Primula'' () is a genus of herbaceous plant, herbaceous flowering plants in the family (biology), family Primulaceae. They include the primrose (''Primula vulgaris, P. vulgaris''), a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common specie ...

'' native to the Himalayas, Assam in India, Myanmar, and south-central and south east China. It has gained the

Royal Horticultural Society The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr ...

Award of Garden Merit The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions. It includes the full range of cultivated p ...

Description

This plant usually has purple flowers, although some may have red, white or bright-pink flowers. Their hairy leaves measure at 4–8cm and are a pale-green colour. They usually grow to 30cm across and 20–40cm tall.

History

This species was considered a weed as it would grow on the rice fields of Chinese farmers. This plant was cultivated from a seed by

George Forrest George Forrest may refer to: *G. Topham Forrest (George Topham Forrest, 1872–1945), principal architect for the London County Council *George Forrest (author) (1915–1999), American author and musician *George Forrest (botanist) (1873–1932), S ...

in 1908. This species started to gain popularity among commercial growers in England. Within a decade, a new strain which was colourful and fragrant was sold commercially in greenhouses in the USA and throughout Europe.

Cultivation

This plant can be propagated by seed or by division in late summer. This species is a popular ornamental place and can be used as a

houseplant A houseplant, also known as a pot plant, potted plant, or indoor plant, is an ornamental plant cultivated indoors. for aesthetic or practical purposes. These plants are commonly found in House, homes, Office, offices, and various indoor spaces, w ...

or as a greenhouse plant. It should be grown in fertile, well-drained soil with regular waterings.

Pests and disease

This plant is prone to infestation by

aphids Aphids are small sap-sucking insects in the Taxonomic rank, family Aphididae. Common names include greenfly and blackfly, although individuals within a species can vary widely in color. The group includes the fluffy white Eriosomatinae, woolly ...

. Signs of infestation may include: honeydew secretion,

galls Galls (from the Latin , 'oak-apple') or ''cecidia'' (from the Greek , anything gushing out) are a kind of swelling growth on the external tissues of plants. Plant galls are abnormal outgrowths of plant tissues, similar to benign tumors or wart ...

, and distortion of leaves.

Toxicity

The leaves may cause irritation. It is advised to wear gloves when handling this plant. This species may also have

allergenic An allergen is an otherwise harmless substance that triggers an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals by stimulating an immune response. In technical terms, an allergen is an antigen that is capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivity ...

properties with symptoms including rashes and headaches.

References