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To most of us, cyclamen are delicate indoor plants that brighten our homes with splashes of colour during the winter. With the right care, these charming plants are actually quite resilient, and some species thrive outdoors.
Though all cyclamen grow from tubers, they aren’t true bulbs. Instead, they belong to the same family as primroses. Their flat, woody tubers and thick, succulent leaves have evolved to survive the hot, dry Mediterranean summers, their original home.
Wild cyclamen, which are often overlooked, are surprisingly robust and long-lived, despite their delicate appearance. The wild species are smaller and less varied in colour than nursery-bred varieties, but their delicate winter flowers paired with beautiful marbled leaves make them a lovely and durable addition to gardens in cool and temperate regions.
When to plant: Late summer to early autumn
Position: Part shade
Soil type: Well-drained with organic compost
Flowering: February through winter
Growing cyclamen at a glance
How to grow and care for cyclamen indoors
Indoor cyclamen are cultivated from Cyclamen persicum, known for its smaller but considerably more fragrant flowers. These plants can live for years, though many only last a few weeks due to environmental stresses and watering mistakes.
They like living in bright, airy places, so don’t let it sit in a dark corner. Without enough light, leaves grow smaller on longer stalks, yellow leaves appear, and flower colour fades. Cyclamen prefer cooler temperatures around 10ºC, so placing them in an unheated room is best.
These plants are highly susceptible to rot, so avoid letting them sit in water. A common mistake is potting the tuber too deep, making proper watering difficult. Instead, water only when the plant begins to wilt, then soak the pot in water for about 30 minutes until the soil is fully moist.
Avoid cutting dead flowers and leaves, but give them a sharp tug instead so they break off cleanly at the base. Leaving stumps behind invites rot, which can spread quickly. Every couple of weeks, apply a potassium-rich liquid fertiliser, such as a tomato feed, to aid flowering.
How to grow and care for cyclamen outdoors
Cyclamen are loved for their vibrant hues and their sweet fragrance, making them excellent choices for pots and hanging baskets. However, unless you live in an elevated, cool climate, they may not survive in the flower beds.
These plants can tolerate light frost, but need the right environment to flourish. Ideally, plant your outdoor cyclamen in a sheltered spot under deciduous trees for dappled shade in summer and sun in winter.
In temperate climates, outdoor potted cyclamen can bloom for months, from February through winter. Keep your plants tidy by ‘twisting and tugging’ off yellow leaves and spent flowers. Protect plants from heavy rain, high humidity, and also foggy, cold conditions, which tend to ruin them.
Cyclamen’s biggest enemy is botrytis (grey mould), which is caused by overcrowding and water at the base of the leaves. This fungal infection spreads rapidly, causing yellow leaves and rot that can kill plants within days.
How to propagate cyclamen
Cyclamen are grown from seed. To propagate cyclamen, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing. Once seedlings have grown two leaves, a tiny tuber will form at the base. Place young plants in a cool, well-lit spot. Larger varieties generally take longer to reach flowering size.
Dry tubers are available but don’t always sprout well, so buying established plants is often easier. The advantage of this is that you can choose the colour and check their fragrance.
Cyclamen Care Essentials
Cyclamen thrive in a cool, shady position, like beneath a mature tree, and tend to become dormant in the summer. Avoid placing cyclamen in full sun.
If you’re growing cyclamen indoors, keep in mind that the ideal temperature is about 10ºC, so it’s best to leave them in an unheated room as much as possible.
Water around once a week, only when the plant is nearly dry or wilting. Soak the pot in water for 30 minutes rather than watering above to prevent rot.
Use well-drained soil enriched with compost and high-quality potting mix. You can apply a liquid fertiliser to potted cyclamen every couple of weeks to encourage flowering.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Watering when leaves turn yellow. This is a sign it has become dormant, which tends to happen in summer.
- Buying cyclamen wrapped in plastic sleeves or with wet foliage – they are more likely to have rot.
- Planting in poorly drained soil.
- Overwatering.
- Placing in direct sunlight.
What to do when your cyclamen leaves turn yellow
Yellow leaves usually mean your cyclamen is entering dormancy as summer arrives. This signals it’s time to stop watering and let the plant rest.
Keep the plant dry, ideally on a windowsill or a covered balcony. When new leaves appear, it’s time to start watering it again. Re-pot the plant if necessary, making sure the upper half of the tuber is above the surface of the potting mix.
That said, if your plant keeps flowering all summer, keep watering, feeding and enjoying it as usual.
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