Winter-growing perennial arising from a subterranean tuber. Leaves grayish green and loosely covered with whitish hairs, borne in a basal rosette, long-stalked and prominently lobed. Flowers are commonly bright magenta but there also occur forms with bright pink flowers as well as occasional plants with pure white flowers.
Plants grow during cool weather from autumn to spring.
After flowering in the spring, they go dormant during which time they should be kept shaded and dry. Thrives in rich, moist but very well-drained soil with at least several hours of sun. Dormant plants must be watered cautiously at the beginning of the growing season in autumn since too much water at this time can lead to rotting of the tubers. This is a very rewarding plant for beginners since it grows readily and rapidly from seed, with the young seedlings usually flowering their first spring. Older plants flower freely and produce many inflorescences.