Cyclamen: Growing, Planting & Caring for These Unique Bulbs

Cyclamen are charming flowering plants prized for their unique upturned petals, silver-marbled foliage, and ability to brighten up the garden or home when little else is blooming. Whether grown indoors as graceful houseplants or outdoors in shady borders, cyclamen add a touch of magic to every setting. This guide details everything you need to know about selecting, planting, and caring for cyclamen bulbs, ensuring healthy, vibrant blooms year after year.

Contents

• Cyclamen Basics
• Cyclamen Varieties
• Planting Cyclamen
• Cyclamen Care Tips
• Common Problems
• Companion Planting & Garden Design
• Frequently Asked Questions

Cyclamen Basics

Botanical Name: Cyclamen spp.
Plant Type: Cool weather perennial growing from a flat, disc-like tuber (sometimes called a bulb, but botanically a tuber).
Zones: Persian cyclamen (indoor types) thrive in zones 9–11; hardy species can survive outdoors in zones 4–9.
Height & Spread: Upright mounding or spreading habit, ranging from 2 to 16 inches tall and up to 16 inches wide.
Exposure: Prefers bright, indirect light indoors; partial to full shade outdoors.
Bloom Time: Varies with species, but generally late summer to early spring, when few other plants are in flower.

What Makes Cyclamen Unique?

• Distinctive upswept petals and heart-shaped, often marbled leaves
• Flowers appear just above the foliage, creating a dainty yet dramatic display
• Varieties suited for both indoor and outdoor cultivation
• Some species are frost-hardy and ideal for naturalizing in woodland gardens

Cyclamen Varieties

Cyclamen come in a wide array of species, but not all are equally suited for every climate or location. Here are some of the most popular varieties for home and garden:

Choosing the Right Variety

• For indoor display, select C. persicum hybrids for their bright blooms and compact form.
• For outdoor gardens in cooler climates, choose hardy forms such as C. hederifolium or C. coum.
• Consider bloom time and leaf patterns for continuous interest.

Planting Cyclamen

When to Plant

• Buy indoor potted cyclamen in fall or winter when they are in bloom.
• Plant hardy tubers outdoors in late summer to early fall for best establishment before winter.

Where to Plant

• Indoors: Place pots by a window with bright, indirect light.
• Outdoors: Choose a well-draining site in partial to full shade, such as under deciduous trees or on a shaded border.

How to Plant Cyclamen Bulbs & Tubers

1. Loosen soil in the planting area and amend with compost or decomposed leaf litter for added humus and drainage.
2. Plant tubers just below the soil surface (3–5 cm deep); do not plant deeply or flowers may not emerge.
3. Space tubers 6 inches apart for best effect. Grouping several tubers together creates a striking display.
4. Water lightly after planting. Avoid overly wet conditions, as tubers can rot.

Tip: When planting, ensure the top (usually slightly concave or with visible buds) is facing upward. Planting depth is not highly critical, but avoid burying tubers too deeply.

Planting Cyclamen in Pots

• Choose pots with multiple drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
• Use high-quality, all-purpose potting soil (add extra perlite or sand for drainage, if needed).
• Plant tubers individually in small pots or cluster several in a large container for an abundant look.
• Keep pots in a cool spot, away from direct sun or hot drafts. Water only when soil feels dry to the touch.

Cyclamen Care Tips

Proper care ensures cyclamen thrive and rebloom for many seasons. The key elements are light, water, temperature, and soil conditions.

Light Requirements

• Indoors: Bright, indirect light; avoid harsh midday sun which can scorch leaves.
• Outdoors: Partial to full shade, especially in hotter regions.

Watering

• Keep soil lightly moist during active growth and flowering but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Avoid watering the crown of the tuber directly to prevent rot; instead, water around the pot’s edge.
• Reduce watering after flowering when the plant goes dormant (leaves yellow and die back).

Temperature & Humidity

• Best temperatures are cool (50–68°F/10–20°C). Too much heat shortens blooming and can cause dormancy.
• Keep away from drafts, heater vents, and hot, dry air.

Fertilizing

• During active growth, feed every 2–4 weeks with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer.
• Do not fertilize when dormant.

Mulching & Soil

• Outdoors, mulch annually with leaf mold or compost as leaves die back, especially in frost-prone areas.
• Ensure soil is humus-rich and well-drained; cyclamen do not tolerate waterlogged soils.

Dividing and Repotting

• Outdoor tubers rarely need dividing, but can be separated every 4–6 years if overcrowded.
• Repot indoor cyclamen after the dormant period (typically summer) if the plant outgrows its pot.

Common Problems & How to Avoid Them

• Rotting Tubers: Caused by overwatering or poorly drained soil. Always plant in well-drained media and avoid watering the tuber directly.
• Yellowing Leaves: Normal at dormancy’s onset (usually after flowering). If this happens during active growth, check for excessive heat or overwatering.
• Pests: Watch for cyclamen mites, aphids, or gray mold. Remove affected leaves and ensure good air circulation.
• Poor Flowering: Can result from planting too deep, insufficient light, or excess warmth. Reassess growing conditions if flowering is sparse.

Companion Planting & Garden Design Tips

Cyclamen provide color and texture when few other plants are active, making them perfect for livening up the garden in off-peak seasons. Here’s how to make the most of their presence:

• Pair hardy cyclamen with other shade lovers such as snowdrops, winter aconites, and primroses for a woodland effect.
• Plant autumn-blooming species like C. hederifolium in secluded spots away from summer displays for best visual impact.
• Keep different cyclamen species separate: for example, position C. hederifolium away from spring bulbs to avoid overlapping bloom times and maximize color succession.
• Outdoor cyclamen are ideal for naturalizing under deciduous trees, on shaded banks, or along woodland paths.

Container Displays

• Mix with trailing ivy, ferns, or mosses for a lush, layered look.
• Incorporate small-statured spring bulbs for a succession of color.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long do cyclamen flowers last?

Blooms may persist for several weeks to a couple of months indoors, especially with cool temperatures and indirect light. Outdoor hardy types have a more defined bloom period, often brightening the garden when little else is flowering.

When do cyclamen go dormant?

Most cyclamen enter dormancy in late spring to summer, signaled by yellowing leaves. During this period, reduce watering and allow the soil to dry almost completely. Resume watering only as new growth begins to emerge.

Can cyclamen be left in the ground year-round?

Hardy species like C. hederifolium and C. coum can overwinter in the ground in zones 4–9. Cover with a loose mulch in colder climates for protection. Tender types, like florist’s cyclamen (C. persicum), should be grown as annuals outdoors in cold regions or kept as indoor plants.

Why are my cyclamen dying after blooming?

After flowering, cyclamen naturally enter a period of dormancy. As long as the tuber remains firm and dry, it will regrow. Overwatering or keeping the plant too wet during dormancy is the most common cause of tuber loss.

How can I get cyclamen to rebloom?

Provide a cool, bright environment, allow a dry rest during dormancy, and resume light watering as new growth starts. Fertilize lightly during growth and ensure temperatures remain cool (below 70°F/21°C) during the day for reliable reblooming cycles.

Summary: Cyclamen for Every Gardener

From the cheerful florist’s types that brighten winter windowsills to the hardy woodland varieties that naturalize under trees, cyclamen are versatile, low-maintenance additions to any plant lover’s collection. By following the straightforward tips above, even novice gardeners can enjoy the delights of these unique, long-lived bulbs season after season.

Author

Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee