Grow Cyclamen for a burst of vibrant, long-lasting color and elegance in your garden, brightening even the gloomiest of days
Cyclamen is a versatile and attractive plant that adds color and beauty to the garden, especially in seasons when other plants are dormant. With its unique flowers, patterned foliage, and adaptability to various environments, Cyclamen is a favorite among gardeners looking for reliable and decorative perennial plants.
Cyclamen is a charming genus of perennial flowering plants cherished for their striking, upside-down heart-shaped flowers and beautiful marbled foliage. The flowers, ranging from white to pink, red, and purple, have distinctive reflexed petals, creating a unique and elegant appearance. The foliage is equally attractive, with patterned leaves that often have silver marbling or veining, adding year-round interest.
Belonging to the family Primulaceae, along with primroses, the Cyclamen genus comprises around 23 species, each with its distinct characteristics. Some of the more popular species include Cyclamen persicum, commonly used as a houseplant, Cyclamen hederifolium, and Cyclamen coum, known for their hardiness in outdoor gardens.
Native: Cyclamen species are native to Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of Iran, extending to Somalia. They typically grow in woodland areas, rocky slopes, and scrubland, demonstrating their adaptability to a range of natural environments.
Growth Habit: Cyclamen are herbaceous perennials that grow from tubers. They have a compact growth habit, forming low clumps that make them ideal as ground covers or container plants.
Size: The plant size varies among species, but most garden varieties reach about 6-10 inches in height (15-25 cm) and 6-12 inches in spread (15-30 cm).
Flowers and Blooming Season: Cyclamen blooms primarily in the fall, winter, or early spring, depending on the species. This bloom time is particularly valued for bringing color to the garden during seasons when few other plants are flowering. After flowering, Cyclamen produces a round pod that bends towards the ground, releasing seeds upon maturity. These plants go dormant for the entire summer.
Foliage: The heart-shaped leaves are often attractively patterned with silver markings, contributing to the plant’s decorative appeal even when not in bloom.
Hardiness: Hardiness varies by species. Many Cyclamen are hardy in USDA zones 5-9, with some species, like C. coum, tolerating colder temperatures.
Uses: Cyclamen are popular for shaded garden beds, rockeries, and containers. Their compact size and attractive foliage make them suitable for underplanting and for adding color to winter gardens.
Wildlife: The flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and other pollinators, adding ecological value to the garden.
Toxicity: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, which can be harmful to pets and humans. Caution should be taken to keep the plants out of reach of children and animals.
Deer and Rabbit: Cyclamen are generally resistant to deer and rabbits, which makes them a good choice in areas where these animals are a concern.
Invasiveness: Cyclamen are not considered invasive. They can naturalize in suitable conditions but do so in a controlled manner.
| Hardiness |
4 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
| Plant Family | Primulaceae |
| Genus | Cyclamen |
| Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early) Fall Winter |
| Height |
2" - 10" (5cm - 25cm) |
| Spread |
6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Cyclamen stands out in the plant world for several special reasons:
Unique Flowering: The flowers are distinctive for their elegant, swept-back petals, resembling butterfly wings. This unique appearance, combined with a range of colors like pink, white, red, and purple, makes them visually captivating.
Attractive Foliage: Beyond its flowers, Cyclamen is known for its attractive, heart-shaped foliage, often featuring silver variegation or marbling. This decorative foliage adds beauty to the plant year-round, even when it’s not in bloom.
Winter Bloomer: Many species bloom in late winter to early spring, a period when few other plants flower. This makes them valuable for adding color and interest to gardens during the colder months.
Versatility: Cyclamen can be grown both indoors as houseplants and outdoors in garden settings.
Resilience: Despite their delicate appearance, many species are surprisingly hardy and can tolerate cold temperatures, making them suitable for outdoor cultivation in various climates.
Low Maintenance: Cyclamen are relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established, particularly the hardier outdoor varieties.
Ecological Benefits: Cyclamen flowers attract pollinators such as bees, contributing to the health of the garden ecosystem.
Landscaping with Cyclamen can add a unique charm and vibrant color to various garden settings, especially during times when most plants are not in bloom.
Understory Planting: Cyclamen is perfect for planting under trees or shrubs where it can enjoy the dappled shade. It creates a natural woodland feel and adds color to these often-underutilized spaces.
Rock Gardens and Alpine Beds: The compact growth habit of these charming plants makes them suitable for rock gardens or alpine beds.
Border Edging: Plant Cyclamen along the edges of garden borders or pathways. Its low-growing nature and vibrant flowers can define garden spaces beautifully.
Container Gardening: Cyclamen can be grown in containers, a great option for adding winter color to patios, balconies, or terraces. Ensure containers have good drainage to prevent root rot.
Naturalized Areas: Cyclamen can naturalize in suitable conditions, gently spreading over time. This makes them ideal for informal or woodland garden settings where they can create a carpet of color.
Seasonal Interest: Incorporate them in areas where you want to add seasonal interest, especially in late winter to early spring.
Front of Shady Beds: Plant Cyclamen in the front of shady flower beds, where their blooms can be easily seen and appreciated.
Companion Planting: Pair them with other shade-loving plants such as ferns, hostas, and hellebores for a varied and textured shade garden.
Under Bulbs: Plant Cyclamen around spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips. As the bulbs die back, Cyclamen’s foliage and flowers will continue to provide interest.
Slope and Bank Planting: Use Cyclamen to cover slopes or banks in shaded areas. They help in controlling erosion while beautifying these challenging spaces.
Cyclamen are typically planted in the fall. For garden varieties, this timing allows the tubers to establish before the winter. Indoor Cyclamen plants (often Cyclamen persicum hybrids) can be bought year-round in flower.
Light: Cyclamen thrives in partial shade. They are ideal for planting under trees or in shaded borders where they can benefit from filtered sunlight. Avoid placing them in areas with intense afternoon sun, especially in warmer climates.
Soil: These plants prefer well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. They like slightly acidic to neutral pH soils. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, amend it with organic matter like compost to improve drainage.
Preparing the Site: Choose a shaded spot and loosen the soil, enriching it with compost or well-rotted manure.
Planting Depth and Spacing: Plant Cyclamen tubers about 1-2 inches deep (2-5 cm) with the top of the tuber just below the soil surface. Space tubers about 6-10 inches apart (15-25 cm).
Watering After Planting: Water gently to settle the soil around the tubers.
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Light: Place them in a well-lit area with indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while too little light can lead to leggy growth.
Temperature and Humidity: They prefer cooler temperatures, ideally between 60-70°F during the day and slightly cooler at night. Avoid placing them near heat sources or in drafty areas. Moderate humidity is beneficial but not crucial.
Watering: Water Cyclamen when the soil feels dry to the touch, but be careful not to overwater. Water from below by filling the saucer and allowing the plant to absorb moisture for 15-30 minutes. Avoid getting water on the tuber, as this can cause rot.
Feeding: Use a half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks during the growing season.
Deadheading and Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers and yellowing leaves to encourage more blooms and prevent disease.
Dormancy: After flowering, the leaves will yellow and die back as the plant enters a period of dormancy. Reduce watering, allowing the soil to dry out. Store the plant in a cool, dark place for a couple of months before recommencing watering to trigger new growth.
Repotting: Repot indoor Cyclamen every couple of years to refresh the soil. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the current one, as they prefer to be somewhat root-bound.
Reblooming: To encourage indoor plants to rebloom, respect their dormancy period, and resume care once new growth appears.
Cyclamen hederifolium
Light: Plant them in a spot with partial shade. They thrive under the canopy of trees or in areas that receive filtered morning sunlight.
Soil: They prefer well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Amend garden soil with compost or peat moss to improve drainage and nutrient content.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to tuber rot, especially in winter.
Mulching: Apply a light layer of organic mulch to help retain soil moisture and protect the tuber in winter.
Feeding: These plants do not necessarily need fertilizing when grown in the ground. If grown in containers, feed them with a balanced fertilizer as new growth appears.
Deadheading and Pruning: After flowering, allow the leaves to die back naturally.
Cyclamen tubers
Both indoor and outdoor varieties of Cyclamen can face various pests, diseases, and common problems. Here’s a comprehensive overview:
Cyclamen Mites: These tiny pests, prevalent in indoor Cyclamen, cause distorted and stunted growth. They prefer warm, humid conditions and are challenging to see with the naked eye.
Aphids: Common in both indoor and outdoor Cyclamen, aphids suck sap from the plants, leading to distorted leaves and a sticky residue.
Mealybugs: Mealybugs can attack Cyclamen, leaving cottony residue and causing stunted growth. Combat them with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Thrips: Thrips can infest Cyclamen, feeding on leaves and flowers, causing silvering, streaks, and distortion. Control involves isolation, increased humidity, and, if severe, the use of appropriate insecticides.
Slugs and Snails: They feed on the leaves, leaving holes or ragged edges. Using organic slug baits, encouraging natural predators, or setting up physical barriers can help control them.
Botrytis Blight (Gray Mold): This fungal disease causes gray, fuzzy mold on leaves, stems, and flowers, especially in humid conditions. Good air circulation and avoiding wetting the foliage when watering can help prevent it.
Bacterial Soft Rot: This disease causes Cyclamen tubers to become mushy and emit a foul odor. Ensure good drainage and avoid overwatering to prevent its occurrence.
Fusarium Wilt: Fusarium wilt in Cyclamen leads to yellowing leaves and wilting despite adequate watering. Good hygiene, soil sterilization, and using resistant varieties are key to management.
Root rot: Overwatering, especially in poorly draining soil, can lead to root rot. Ensure Cyclamen are planted in well-drained soil and water judiciously.
Leaf spot: Various fungal and bacterial pathogens can cause leaf spots. Infected leaves should be removed and destroyed to prevent the spread.
Yellowing Leaves: Overwatering, poor drainage, or nutrient deficiency can cause leaves to yellow. Adjust watering practices and ensure adequate soil nutrition.
Wilting: This can be a sign of both under and overwatering. Check the soil moisture and adjust watering accordingly.
Dormancy Issues: Indoor Cyclamen go dormant after flowering. Mistakenly, this is often seen as the plant dying. Reducing water and placing the plant in a cooler, darker area until new growth appears in the fall is essential.
Leggy Growth: Insufficient light can cause Cyclamen to become leggy. Move the plant to a brighter location with indirect sunlight.
Cyclamen flower and prickly heath in basket as autumn garden decoration
What Month Do Cyclamen Go Dormant? Cyclamen typically go dormant after their flowering period, which can vary by species. For many, dormancy begins in late spring or early summer.
Is Cyclamen a Houseplant or Outdoor Plant? Cyclamen can be both. Cyclamen persicum varieties are often grown as houseplants, while species like Cyclamen hederifolium and Cyclamen coum are hardy and suitable for outdoor gardens.
How Do You Take Care of a Cyclamen Plant? Provide bright, indirect light, moderate watering (letting the soil dry slightly between waterings), and cooler temperatures. Fertilize during the growing season and reduce watering as it enters dormancy post-flowering.
Will Cyclamen Come Back Every Year? Outdoor hardy Cyclamen are perennials and will return each year. Indoor plants can rebloom annually with proper care and a period of dormancy.
What Do You Do with Cyclamen When They Have Finished Flowering? Reduce watering to allow the plant to enter dormancy. Remove dead foliage and store in a cool, dry place. Resume watering in late summer to encourage new growth.
How Do I Keep My Outdoor Cyclamen Blooming? Ensure they’re in a shaded or semi-shaded spot, with well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during their growing season.
What Is the Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Cyclamen? Indoor plants, typically Cyclamen persicum, are less hardy and often grown as houseplants. Outdoor Cyclamen are hardier and can withstand colder temperatures.
What Happens to Cyclamen in Summer? They usually enter a dormant phase in summer. The foliage dies back, and the plant conserves energy in its tuber, resuming growth as temperatures cool in late summer or fall.
| Hardiness |
4 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
| Plant Family | Primulaceae |
| Genus | Cyclamen |
| Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early) Fall Winter |
| Height |
2" - 10" (5cm - 25cm) |
| Spread |
6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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