Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) are charming flowering plants known for their vibrant blooms, heart-shaped leaves, and tuberous roots.
I’ve found that these easy-to-care-for beauties add elegance to indoor spaces and can even bloom outdoors in some climates.
With the right care, this lovely plant can give you stunning flowers for many seasons.
Keep reading for more of my master gardener tips on growing and planting cyclamen!
Common Cyclamen Characteristics
- Botanical Name: Cyclamen persicum
- Other Common Names: Florist’s cyclamen, Persian violet, Sowbread
- Family: Primulaceae (Primrose)
- Plant Type: Perennial
- Genus: Cyclamen
- Native Area: Middle East, Europe
- Typical Flower Colors: Pink, white, red, purple, bi-color
Cyclamen are part of the primrose family (Primulaceae) and include more than 20 species native to the Middle East and southern and central Europe, with one species in Somalia.
In my experience, cyclamen plants are commonly grown for their upward-facing flowers, which resemble butterflies, both in garden beds and pots.
The florist’s cyclamen (C. persicum) are popular indoor plants, while species like ivy-leaved cyclamen (C. hederifolium) are better grown outdoors or in warmer temperatures.
The flowers range from white to pink to deep red and grow on stalks less than 12 inches tall.
The leaves can be oval, round, or heart-shaped, with green and silver patterns on the upper side and green or red coloring on the lower side.
Don’t be fooled by the lack of a stem. Cyclamen grows from tubers, which are short underground stems. They have no stem above the ground, and their long-stalked leaves grow directly from the base of slender stems.
Since these plants are perennials, cyclamen live for dozens of years.
WARNING: I strongly recommend keeping these beauties out of reach of pets and children, as all parts of the cyclamen are toxic.
Different Cyclamen Cultivars
Cyclamen is a fascinating plant that I’ve used to brighten up indoor spaces during the winter months. However, this cousin to the primrose also has outdoor varieties that bloom in shady gardens.
Here are 5 popular cultivars:
- C. persicum: This indoor, common cultivar comes in pink, violet, white, and red blooms.
- C. hederifolium: This ivy-leaved Cyclamen plant thrives outdoors in shaded areas. It has delicate pink flowers in fall and heart-shaped leaves with an ivy-like pattern.
- C. coum: Known as Eastern sowbread, this hardy cyclamen blooms with fragrant crimson flowers in late winter or early spring. The cyclamen foliage has attractive marbled patterns.
- C. alpinum: C. alpinum is marked by pink and purple flowers, a primrose scent and large green foliage. Its flowers appear from January to April, resembling a ship’s propeller.
- C. mirabile: This variety is well known for its pink flowers, purple blotch and dark foliage. This cultivar prefers cool, moist conditions and thrives in shaded woodland areas.
Cyclamen Cultivation and Care
While Cyclamen plants are known for their low-maintenance nature, paying attention to their pots, watering, temperature, and other needs ensures that they’ll thrive.
Keep reading for my in-depth tips on Cyclamen care.
Cyclamen Soil and Fertilizer Preferences
Cyclamen prefer well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH to prevent root rot and promote healthy growth.
These plants bloom in a slightly acidic, well-draining potting mix (pH 5.0-6.0). This acidity helps the plant absorb nutrients and develop healthy roots.
Cyclamen need fertilizer, but not too much! I’ve discovered that overdoing it can make the plant prone to disease.
During its growing season, apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer or a liquid houseplant fertilizer every two weeks. This can help your Cyclamen continue blooming for several weeks.
Use a potting soil designed for houseplants or acid-loving plants, and improve drainage by adding perlite or vermiculite.
These plants require high humidity and moist soil, so water it thoroughly when the ground or surface is dry, but don’t soak it. This plant doesn’t do well in soggy conditions.
Watering Frequency
Keep your cyclamen’s soil moist, but not soggy. To water cyclamen plants properly, I advise a light touch. Avoid soaking the soil to prevent rot.
Avoid pouring water directly on the plant’s corm-like tuber or crown, which can promote rot.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. If necessary, stick your finger into the potting mix to check the moisture level.
While cyclamen plants dislike being waterlogged, they also can’t tolerate drought conditions. Wilting or dead leaves are a sign of underwatering, so adjust your watering frequency accordingly.
- Active growth period: When your cyclamen is growing strong, water deeply when the top inch of soil dries out. Avoid drenching the tuber directly, as this can lead to rot.
- Dormant period: During dormancy, your cyclamen’s leaves will drop. Reduce watering significantly. Begin watering again only when new leaves emerge from the tubers and continue fertilizing until flower buds appear.
Sunlight Needs
In my experience, cyclamen prefer bright, indirect light for optimal growth.
Place the plant in an east-facing or north-facing window where it can receive adequate light without being exposed to direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burn.
The cyclamen plant appreciates cool temperatures. Its ideal daytime temperatures are between 60-65°F (15 and 18°C respectively) and slightly cooler night temperatures.
Like other plants, avoid placing them near heat sources or overly-drafty windows.
- Hardiness Zones: This depends on the species. Indoor C. persicum will thrive in USDA zones 9-11, while outdoor species like C. coum and C. hederifolium are hardy in USDA zones 5-8. These varieties bloom in partial shade and can tolerate temperatures down to −20 °C (−4 °F).
Best Time to Plant Cyclamen
The sweet spot for planting is between September and late November. In my experience, planting during this autumn window allows your plants to establish a robust root system before winter arrives.
This strong foundation of roots will help them during their blooming season and ensure they stay healthy before winter.
Cyclamen goes dormant in summer, so it’s essential to plant them when they are actively growing.
Dormancy Period
Cyclamen plants enter a dormancy period typically around April—where their leaves turn yellow, and they stop blooming—lasting until September or October.
During this time, leaves may wilt or die back, and flowering ceases, which is normal. I recommend watering the plant more infrequently and moving it to a cool, dark location—around 50°F (10°C).
For Cyclamen persicum, this rest period is crucial for rejuvenation and preparing for the next growing season.
New growth usually begins in the fall, followed by renewed blooming. Adjust your cyclamen’s care based on the specific variety and growing conditions.
Overwintering Cyclamen Properly
When the weather turns cold, it’s time to think about protecting your cyclamen plants from winter’s wrath.
Overwintering refers to the process of protecting plants from winter conditions to ensure they bloom again in the next flowering season.
For cyclamen, this involves bringing the plants indoors before the first frost and placing them in a cool, well-ventilated area with bright, indirect light.
Here’s how to ensure your indoor cyclamen (C. persicum) thrives during its dormant period.
- Cooler Temperatures: Move your cyclamen to a cooler location, ideally with temperatures around 50°F (10°C). A basement, garage, or unheated sunroom are all suitable options.
- Limited Light: I’ve found that Cyclamen plants don’t require significant light when they go dormant. However, avoid complete darkness. A dimly lit location is sufficient.
- Reduced Watering: Water sparingly when they go dormant. Aim to lightly moisten the soil every few weeks, just enough to prevent the tuber from shriveling completely.
General Tips:
- Regardless of the type, avoid overwatering when cyclamen are dormant, as this can lead to tuber rot.
- Once you see new growth in the fall or early winter for indoor or cyclamen houseplants, you can resume regular watering and fertilizing.
- In late summer or early fall, keep an eye out for new growth emerging from the tuber. This signifies the end of the dormant cyclamen period.
Deadheading, Trimming, and Pruning Guidelines
Regular deadheading, trimming, and pruning are essential for maintaining cyclamen health and encouraging continuous blooming.
Here are my simple recommendations for proper cyclamen pruning.
- Deadheading: To promote continuous blooming, remove spent flowers regularly. Pinch off the flower stalk at its base using clean, sharp pruners. Don’t pull on the flower stalk, as this can damage the plant.
- Trimming: Cut back damaged or yellowing leaves to keep the plant healthy and improve airflow. I recommend simply pinching off the yellowed leaf at its base.
- Pruning: Extensive pruning generally isn’t necessary for cyclamen. However, you can remove any leggy or damaged stems to maintain a tidy appearance.
Common Cyclamen Diseases and Pests
As a master gardener, I’ve dealt with various cyclamen issues that can be managed with the proper care:
- Cyclamen Mites: These pests cause distorted growth and leaf damage. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control them.
- Aphids and Spider Mites: These pests often infest stems and new growth. Plants infested with these plant diseases can also be treated effectively with insecticidal soap.
- Yellowing Leaves: Often caused by botrytis, a gray fungus found in overly wet soil. Improve air circulation and remove affected leaves.
- Drooping: Typically due to overwatering or exposure to cold drafts. Ensure adequate drainage and water only when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Root Rot: This is caused by poor drainage and overwatering. Make sure the pots are well-drained to avoid waterlogging.
Cyclamen plant care and monitoring are crucial to preventing and managing these issues. To keep your cyclamen healthy, ensure good air circulation, avoid overwatering, and use the appropriate treatments.
Finally, if you’re purchasing cyclamen, I suggest getting a plant with plenty of buds just beginning to open and with sturdy, succulent leaves.
Other Guides from Planet Natural:
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Snowdrop Flower (Galanthus)
A Gardener’s Guide to Keeping Plants Safe During Cicada Season
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