How to Grow and Care For Cyclamen Plant

Cyclamen are popular house plants. They are grown for their large, vibrant winter flowers, which come in white, pink, and red shades. Intricate heart-shaped leaves hold frilly, scented, or ruffled flowers together.

Cyclamen plants are cultivars of the wild Cyclamen persicum native to Turkey. “Mini cyclamen” are small-flowered cultivars typically grown as outdoor bedding plants, usually in autumn.

Being widely available in garden centers and grocery stores, especially through the holiday seasons, these fresh and dainty plants are undeniably great for adding color to pots and rather dull spaces.

Cyclamen Plant Care 

Cyclamen plants

Cyclamen plants are a delightful treat for any garden or indoor setup. Their vibrant flowers and delicate foliage are also a great accompaniment to other houseplants. When it comes to cyclamen plant care, just be careful not to place this plant where your furbabies can get near because it will make your pets sick when ingested.

Get to know them more, and we will guide you to the basics of cyclamen care!

The Ideal Soil Mixture

Cyclamen soil

For cyclamen plants, a regular potting mix will do, but organically rich and well-draining soil goes a long way. This ideally works for most container plants.

In preparing potted cyclamen, be sure to provide a mix with a slightly acidic pH. Technicality aside, this can easily be done by putting amendments such as sphagnum peat to raise the pH level.

Bright Light For Hardy Cyclamen

cyclamen lighting condition

When you grow Cyclamen, it prefers bright, indirect light. This indoor plant is actively growing in the winter, while it appears to have its dormant period during the summer.

Cyclamen plants can tolerate sun or partial shade but also need protection from hot sun exposure in the afternoons, especially during dry summers. We recommend a west-facing window to protect it from direct sunlight in the afternoon.

For indoor Cyclamen, keeping the plant in a cool location with good air circulation is best.

Watering Cyclamen

In caring for your hardy Cyclamen, provide just enough water. It’s recommended only to water them when the soil is dry. However, it is also important not to leave them dry for so long, for they may become dehydrated.

If you notice your cyclamens having droopy leaves and close to wilting blooms, do not panic just yet! Know that you can easily revamp the plant by adding in enough moisture and draining away that excess water.

You may find your water less in winter months compared to spring and summer.

Temperature & Humidity 

Humidifier for plants

When growing cyclamens indoors, it’s essential to know the current temperature level that your home can provide, as these plants prefer cooler environments. Exposure to high temperatures will eventually cause the foliage to turn yellow and fade rapidly. 

However, they cannot tolerate temperatures below 40 °F (4 °C). The ideal temperature range is 55-70 °F (13 to 21 °C).

Cyclamen plants also prefer moderate humidity to high-humid environments. In cooler months, when the air seems dry, you may use a humidifier to add moisture.

However, in very hot and humid environments, monitor the plant occasionally.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is a crucial topic for a complete cyclamen care guide. They are not heavy feeders; hence it is recommended to fertilize them only once every 1-2 months using water-soluble fertilizer mixed only at half strength. Generally, a complete houseplant fertilizer of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 will do.

 To promote and prolong cyclamen blooms, feed the plants with fertilizers high in phosphorus, like 4-20-4. Yet, it’s important to remember that everything must be in moderation, particularly for plants. Hence, too much fertilizer is a no-no, as it can affect their ability to rebloom and develop flowers

Propagation of Cyclamens

Cyclamen tuber

Cyclamens can ideally be reproduced via tubers. Begin by lifting the tuber from the soil and dividing it into fair sizes. Replant the pieces at about 2 inches of the soil on a new pot to encourage root formation before the cold season arises.

If you wish to grow them by seeds, sow them in late summer through fall. Yet most gardeners would agree that growing Cyclamen from seeds can be difficult as they germinate slowly. Also, propagating the plant using delicate tubers may be inefficient as they can quickly rot.

Buying an established plant and watching it thrive, especially if grown indoors, is best.

Growth Zone

Most cyclamen species are hardy to USDA Zone 5 to 7 and can thrive indoors. Hardy cyclamens are moderately drought tolerant and do best in rich and well-draining potting medium high in organic matter.

They prefer areas with fair humid levels and shade, making them a perfect accompaniment among trees and shrubs.

Potting and Pruning

For normal cyclamen care growth, it is important to thin them out from time to time by removing dead foliage and yellowing leaves. Begin by clipping them close to the base of the plant outdoors while also clearing out some debris from pruning to keep them sanitized and vibrant.

Pruning flowers

Once they have flowered, you may remove the deadheads from the plants to promote further blooms. Gently hold the base of each flower stem and firmly twist it to pull the stems further from the crown.

Taking away spent flowers and shriveled leaves may keep away bad organisms and fungus that may later affect the plants.

Cyclamen Plant Varieties and Similar Plants

Let’s take a look at these other stunning new hybrids to widen your options and tune up your imagination!

Cyclamen coum

Cyclamen coum

Hardy in USDA zone 6. This variety is also known as the eastern cyclamen or round-leaved cyclamen. Characterized by its deep green and hear-shaped foliage that has silver and gay undertones. It also flaunts pinkish to off-white flowers.

Cyclamen coum can grow at about 10 cm in height and 2.5 cm in width. It can tolerate dry conditions and grows optimum in well-draining soil.

Cyclamen creticum

Cyclamen creticum

Similar to the above variety, this cyclamen species also has white to soft pink dainty flowers that come with a refreshing lily scent. Its triangular leaves have greyish-green margins that grow up to 4-12 cm long.

Cyclamen Creticum grows best in a slightly wet environment and flowers around February to May.

Cyclamen libanoticum

Cyclamen libanoticum

As the name implies, this plant species was traced in Lebanon after it was assumed to be extinct. The blooming season is March and is hardy at USDA Zone 8. Fertile soil with humus is ideal for the growth of this plan, and the soil must be cultivated at least 10 to 15 cm deep.

This dwarf variety would certainly look in borders and as an accompaniment plant.

Cyclamen Plant Diseases & Pests

Bacterial soft rot is a familiar nemesis of most cyclamen species. The visible symptoms are yellowing of the leaves, rotting of the tuber surface, and the whole plant’s rapid decline.

Another is the Botrytis blight, by which the affected leaves have tan spots or brown patches, flower petal spots, infected crowns, petioles, and flowers showing signs of early fungal growth. Wet soil and inadequate air circulation are the primary causes of this infection.

Regular trimming down of the plant may prevent a disease-prone environment by ensuring the leaves are not soaking wet whenever the plant is watered.

Applying fungicides and pesticides in moderation also proved beneficial in protecting the delicate foliage and new growth structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best gardening tips we can give you to get your plant to bloom is to remove the spent flowers during the growth period cutting them down to the base. Also, remove any yellowing leaves. When the blooming slows, leave your plant to dry out for about three months. At this time, it reaches the dormant state and begin watering when you notice the soil is bone dry.

The special care for your plant begins in summer and not winter months. These plants are actively growing in winter and must move to a spot to receive enough light. Watering correctly is critical as it can develop root rot quickly when overwatered.

When the leaves start drooping, and you feel the potting mix dry, you can water again. As spring and summer arrive, these plants in their native habitat are semi-dormant and must be left to dry. Then move your plant to a cool spot and avoid watering it.

The Florist’s cyclamen is a tender plant you can grow as a houseplant. In contrast, hardy cyclamen can grow outside in cooler regions.

The flowering plant is a perennial that develops from tubers, and when placed in the right growing location, it will return yearly. Also, make sure to check out these holiday flowering varieties while here.

In Southern Europe, in a Mediterranean climate, it starts growing in the fall, blooming in winter or early spring. It goes into a dormant state in summer when hot and dry.

When properly watered but not waterlogged with enough light, it blooms in the fall through to early spring.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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