Cyclamen care guide
Cyclamen persicum
Also known as: Florist's cyclamen, Garden cyclamen
Pets and children
Considered toxic
The tuber especially causes vomiting, diarrhea and drooling in dogs and cats, and larger amounts have caused heart rhythm changes or seizures; keep it out of reach and consult a veterinarian (or a doctor, for a child) if eaten.
How often to water Cyclamen
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 5 days
- In spring, water well once the topsoil dries, keeping it off the tuber, as a guide; ease off as leaves thin in early summer, and nearly stop if it goes dormant.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 4 days
- New leaves are coming: water from the pot rim once the topsoil dries, as a guide, since drying out costs leaves.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 5 days
- In bloom, water in the morning once the topsoil dries, as a guide; heated rooms dry pots faster, so watch the leaves too.
Light and placement for Cyclamen
A bright sunny window from fall to spring, as a guide; in bloom it likes a cool 5–15°C out of heater draft, and in summer airy shade out of the rain.
Overwintering Cyclamen
Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above
A bright, cool window indoors above about 5°C, away from the glass on cold nights and out of hot heated rooms; garden cyclamen generally overwinters under the eaves.
Fertilizing and repotting Cyclamen
Fertilizer
Dilute liquid feed about every one to two weeks from October to April; none in summer dormancy or while the leaves thin.
When to repot
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Common problems with Cyclamen
- In a heated room the leaves yellow and the flowers dwindle.
- Watering over the tuber rots the base of the leaf stalks.
- Stale water left in the saucer or wick reservoir leads to root rot.
Tips for growing Cyclamen
- Twist spent flowers and yellow leaves out at the base rather than cutting, to prevent rot.
- Keep a wick-watered pot topped up and flush it from the top about once a month.
- Summering it in shade with less water and its leaves on is the easier method; repot around September.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
