When kept cold (away from heaters and out of direct sunlight), cyclamen are rather simple and dependable indoor plants that maintain their appearance for around eight weeks. They may continue to bloom until April if temperatures are cool enough, but too much heat in a sunny window will favor early dormancy. I keep mine on the east and north window ledges, bringing them out onto our main dining table when I want them to be more noticeable but tucking them back in between times. Although it may be tempting to just buy and plant your indoor cyclamen, they are worth the extra work. It makes a big difference to plant them in a vibrantly colored bowl or something glittery and sparkly, but be sure to use an inner pot with drainage holes.
Try not to disrupt the roots during repotting. They need good drainage and do not like to sit in moist soil, so plant them in a loam-based compost with some additional grit and peat.
Cover the compost with dried leaves or an emerald-green cushion of bun moss, and then gently press the roots into the new pot or bowl. In order to mimic this as precisely as possible with houseplants, that is how they would appear in the wild.
The flowers can be spread out starting from the base because they have a tendency to clump together, but when they are softly and equally separated between the leaves, they appear lighter and more graceful.
planting cyclamen outdoors
Cyclamen coum has a very long lifespan and can grow successfully without much attention in unfavorable conditions. Since C. coum begin to grow below ground long before they breach the surface, they want some summer wetness, thus they thrive in humus-rich soil with lots of naturally occurring or intentionally added leaf mould.
Plants with Cyclamen hederifolium are more hardy and resilient. They won’t mind if you tuck them right beneath a hedge or in between the roots of a large beech or oak tree. Instead of taking over more opulent objects’ spaces, they accept the meagerst of food instead, tolerating dry, thin soil as long as there is some shade.
The planting depth for these hardy cyclamen should be 2.5 cm (1 in) below the soil surface, but as they grow, they occasionally lift one hip out of the ground.
All cyclamen do considerably better in moist, thriving soil than in dry soil, so a plant that is actively growing in a pot is probably going to do best.
When planting tubers, place them with the flattest side facing down and the slightly concave side facing up, 2.5 cm (1 in) deep, and 5-8 cm (2-3 in) apart.
How can I tell whether my cyclamen is inside or outside?
In August, the first cyclamen of the season arrive, and by September, we will have a wide variety of them in stock. The simplest approach to determine a cyclamen’s hardiness is to look at how big and showy its flowers are. The bigger and more showy the flowers, the less likely it is to be suitable for being outdoors all year.
Wonderful hardy ground cover cultivars Cyclamen Hederifolium and c. Coum. both have RHS AGM awards. They are perfect for winter planters as well as for naturalizing in a shaded border, on banks, or under trees. Hederifolium arrives in late August and has marbled leaf and pink and white tones. It produces long-lasting blooms and, with any hope, self-seeds.
Cyclamen Coum blooms later, typically from January to March, and is distinguished by its pink flowers and kidney-shaped, dark green leaves. This can change, though, and we have been known to have them in and in bloom as early as October.
Advice for raising tough cyclamen Avoid planting too deeply; they dislike it! They enjoy some shade and reasonably healthy, well-drained soil. In places that are susceptible to frost, you should mulch once a year with leaf mold or bark chips.
How to care for your potted indoor cyclamen Beautiful winter houseplants include cyclamen. Once a flower has done blooming, the stems should be cut off to preserve the plant producing flowers for a long time. But then you have to decide what to do with it for the remainder of the year. The best course of action is to simply let it dry entirely in the spring and store it in a cold, dark, dry location, like a shed. It will remain there dormant until August, when its roots will begin to regenerate and you should, if necessary, repot it. Give it a little water if you’re potting it, then start watering it regularly in September. Hopefully, by Christmas, you’ll have blossoms.
Do cyclamen grow outdoors?
Following a few general rules will make it easy to grow resilient cyclamen outdoors. It is challenging to grow hardy cyclamen from seeds, but you can plant bulbs or tubers in the late summer or early fall. Plant the tubers with their tops just below the soil’s surface. Place each tuber 6 to 10 inches (15–25 cm) apart.
Hardy cyclamen can withstand cold temperatures and icy winters, in contrast to florist’s cyclamen, which only thrives outdoors in warm areas. Where summers are hot and dry, this cool climate plant can’t live.
In practically any kind of loose, well-drained soil, hardy cyclamen can flourish. Before planting, add a few inches (8 cm) of mulch, compost, or other organic matter to the soil, especially if it is clay- or sandy-based.
What is the ideal location to plant cyclamens?
Cyclamen are adored for both their delicious aroma and their vivid colors. They are very affordable and thrive in pots and hanging planters as a compact flowering annual. Unfortunately, planting your nursery-bred cyclamen in flower beds is a bit optimistic unless you are in an altitude, cold southern climate.
They can tolerate minor frost, but they require favorable circumstances to grow. Your outdoor cyclamen should ideally be planted in a protected area beneath deciduous trees for dappled shade in the summer and sun in the winter.
Potted cyclamen plants bloom from February all the way through the winter in temperate areas. To maintain the plants tidy, just “twist and tug” off any yellow leaves and dried-out blossoms. Prevent plants from being damaged by persistently heavy rain, excessive humidity levels, and cold, foggy weather.
Botrytis (grey mould), which is brought on by crowding and wetness at the base of the leaves, as well as decaying, discolored leaves and withered flowers, is the biggest threat to cyclamen care. In crowded areas, fungal rot can spread quickly through plants and kill them in a matter of days.
How can a cyclamen be kept alive inside?
To thrive, your cyclamen needs a cool, sunny location. Avoid the sun’s direct rays. Maintaining a moist soil environment without overwatering is a typical approach to kill cyclamen. You must let your plant lie dormant over the summer and use less water if you want it to bloom again in the fall.
watering
Always water indoor cyclamen from the base and let the plant draw up the water it needs. A steady drip of water is the worst thing. I place the pots in a tray of water and leave them there over night. The compost rehydrates and the entire root ball gets a good drink. If water begins to accumulate at the base of the saucer or potholder, dump it out and wait to water the compost again until it is almost completely dry, which should take about a week. During the dormant season, the watering schedule needs to be altered. See below for some guidance on this.
Outdoor cyclamen don’t need watering because they will get rain. Check any plants growing outside in containers to see if there is an unusually dry spell.
deadheading
Damaged blossoms might cause the tuber to start to decay. Remove flowers shortly before they start to wilt to prevent this. Pull the entire stem out of the tuber by yanking it; if you leave any behind, the rot may spread deeper into the tuber.
propagating
Cyclamen that is grown outdoors will gradually turn natural. It can also disperse through seed, in which case the stem bearing the seed head spirals around itself and lowers the seed head to the ground. Ants and other insects carry the seeds to farther-flung locations because it becomes extremely sticky. Cyclamen from seed requires a lot of work, so it makes more sense to buy them in pots and plant them outside rather than try to grow them from scratch.
dormancy
When the cyclamen cease flowering indoors, stop watering them and let the leaves to become yellow and wither. Normally in April, however it could happen a few weeks later. After that, store them for the summer in a cool, dry place. As long as they are not in the rain, they will even be content to be outside.
You risk losing your tuber to decay if you keep them overly damp during the dormant months.
Repot them into a slightly bigger container in September, tease out the roots. Water gently, only moistening the compost slightly. If they’ve been outside, bring them inside. They should be in bloom again shortly after Christmas if kept in a cool environment with mild watering, and they will continue to grow each year.
Can you grow cyclamen indoors?
Cyclamens may be grown indoors rather easily, and with a little attention, they will reliably continue to bloom.
Put yourself in a cool place. During times of frost, if placed on a windowsill, draw into the middle of the space at night.
Keep moist, but don’t overwater it. In order to avoid any foliage rot at the top, water plants from the base, i.e. by allowing them to stand in a tiny amount of water.
How long do potted Cyclamen last?
Cyclamen is an easy-to-grow indoor plant that blooms for at least eight weeks. With careful care, it could thrive for many years. A well-cared-for Cyclamen can actually keep growing and blooming for up to 100 years! (Like the Christmas cactus, another wintertime favorite that blooms every year.)
Is there a difference between indoor and outdoor Cyclamen?
Most garden centers sell florist’s cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) in moderate locations without frost, with no distinction made between indoor and outdoor species. Florist’s Cyclamen behaves the same whether it is planted as an indoor plant or an outdoor perennial, therefore there is no need to in that kind of habitat.
However, in other areas you’ll probably be able to get both florist’s Cyclamen and hardy Cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium). This frost-tolerant Cyclamen is the kind you want to use to fill a garden bed because hardy Cyclamen may be cultivated outside in lower climes.
Is Cyclamen toxic to cats and dogs?
Sadly, yes, according to the ASPCA. Due to the presence of triterpenoid saponins, particularly in the tuber, cyclamen are hazardous to both people and animals. This substance is an antifungal that the plant needs to stay healthy, but it’s also incredibly irritating and can paralyze or cause convulsions.
It seems unlikely that Cyclamen will be consumed in significant amounts (the flavor is reportedly not particularly pleasant!) but is potentially harmful, so keep dogs and children away from this one.
Do cyclamen bloom each year?
A perennial tuberous plant is cyclamen. It can be sown in the ground and will reappear every year in warmer climes (Zones 6-9). It could be a good idea to apply an additional layer of mulch to Zone 6’s cooler regions to shield plants from the winter’s extreme temperatures. Cyclamen can be grown outdoors in pots or directly in the ground in colder climates like Zone 5 and North, but the pots or tubers need to be taken inside in the fall. Otherwise, the plant will perish from the cold. It can be treated as a houseplant if brought within during the winter and then moved outside in the spring.
What can I do to maintain my cyclamen in bloom?
You should deadhead your cyclamen frequently and check the foliage for any wilted or diseased leaves if you want to prolong the blossoming of your cyclamen. Follow the stem down to the soil to properly remove withering blooms and leaves. Firmly, but not so forcefully that a portion of the tuber breaks off, pull the stem upward. Avoid cutting the stems because doing so opens the tuber up to plant diseases like botrytis.
How frequently should cyclamen be watered?
Cyclamens thrive in chilly, dry environments and are best kept indoors in natural, filtered light. They are well adapted to the Southern Highlands climate. The following steps will help you get the most from your plant.
- A spot inside that receives some natural light from a window should be chosen for your cyclamen. They shouldn’t be in direct sunlight because it will be too hot for them and could damage the plant. While they will enjoy the majority of the day in the shade, they will require some filtered light to continue flowering.
- Keep your cyclamen away from air conditioning, fireplace heat, and drafts. It favors a region that is more temperate, dry, and free of dampness. A cyclamen should not be kept in a bathroom because the air is too humid. We would also suggest against placing the plant in a hot space, such as the living room, where the temperature is likely to shift frequently. The places where the cyclamen will feel most at home are the entrances, bedrooms, and kitchens.
- Once every week, and less frequently in the winter, water your cyclamen (roughly every ten days). It should remain damp but not soggy, and if the blossoms start to droop, it’s a good sign that they’re getting a little thirsty. If this occurs, watering them should make them reanimate.
Check your cyclamen frequently for faded flowers. Remove a flower from the plant by plucking it from the stem’s base if it has turned discolored or is drooping. As the plant no longer needs to sustain the dying flower’s energy, it will be encouraged to continue blooming.
Once or twice a week, take your cyclamens outside to a covered place where they will be safe from frost and drafts. They prefer a cool shock, and the Southern Highlands’ crisp air is ideal for this. Place them back in their house the next morning after leaving them overnight.
- If your cyclamen’s leaves start to turn yellow, consider putting them outside for the night as previously advised, but don’t overwater them. Carefully observe the demands of the cyclamens because yellowing leaves are a sign that your little guy is in trouble. While droopy blooms signify that the plant needs some water, yellow leaves signify either too much moisture, that they are too warm, or that they are not receiving enough natural light. To avoid overwatering, be careful not to confuse a single worn-out blossom for a thirsty, drooping plant.
Enjoy your cyclamens; with proper care and knowledge of the plant’s requirements, they make lovely interior plants that are not too difficult to maintain. If the cyclamen appears to be outgrowing its container or is acting a little depressed indoors, you should definitely think about putting it outside as an undergrowth or ground cover in the garden, in shadow or filtered light, beneath shrubs and trees. We strongly advise visiting your local nursery to speak with a horticulture and look at the products they have to assist your cyclamen flourish if you’re having difficulties planting and fertilizing your plant.