Cyclamen are one of the most beautiful and distinctive flowering houseplants available, with their swept-back petals in shades of pink, red, white, and purple hovering above attractively marbled, heart-shaped leaves. They are popular gift plants and a common sight in garden centers during autumn and winter, which is exactly when most other flowering plants are taking a break. Cyclamen care has a reputation for being tricky, but once you understand what this plant actually needs, keeping it healthy and encouraging it to rebloom becomes much more achievable. Here is everything you need to know.
What Is a Cyclamen?
Cyclamen persicum, the florist’s cyclamen, is the species most commonly sold as a houseplant. It is native to the Mediterranean region and parts of the Middle East, where it grows in rocky, well-drained soils in cool, shaded environments. This origin is the key to understanding its care requirements indoors.
Unlike most tropical houseplants that prefer warm temperatures, cyclamen actually prefer cool conditions, which is why they naturally thrive and bloom in autumn and winter when temperatures drop. This makes them unusual among common houseplants and is the source of most of the confusion around their care.
The flowers are striking, with reflexed petals that point upward and backward in an almost butterfly-like pose. Modern cultivars come in a wide range of colors and sizes, from compact miniature varieties to large, full-flowered forms with frilled or plain petals.
Light Requirements
Cyclamen prefer bright, indirect light during their active growing and blooming season in autumn and winter. A spot near a north or east-facing window that gets good light without direct sun is ideal, since direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and shorten the blooming period.
During their summer dormancy period, light requirements become much less important since the plant is essentially resting underground as a tuber.
Temperature
Temperature is the single most important factor in cyclamen care and the one most commonly overlooked. Cyclamen need cool conditions to thrive and bloom, ideally between 50-65°F (10-18°C). They actively dislike the warm temperatures typical of most centrally heated homes, which is why they often decline quickly when brought indoors from a cool garden center.
A cool room, unheated hallway, north-facing windowsill, or even a cool conservatory are ideal locations for cyclamen during their blooming season. Temperatures consistently above 65-68°F (18-20°C) cause the plant to deteriorate, stop blooming, and go into premature dormancy.
Keep cyclamen away from radiators, heating vents, fireplaces, and any other heat sources. Even brief exposure to warm, dry air from a heating system can cause rapid decline.
Watering
Watering is the other main area where cyclamen care requires attention. Cyclamen grow from a tuber, which is vulnerable to rot if it stays consistently wet.
The best approach is to water from below by placing the pot in a shallow tray of water for about thirty minutes, allowing the soil to absorb moisture from the bottom up, then removing the pot and allowing any excess to drain. This keeps water away from the top of the tuber, which is the most vulnerable area to rot.
If watering from the top, water around the edge of the pot rather than directly over the center of the plant where the tuber sits, and avoid getting water on the leaves and flowers.
Allow the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Cyclamen like consistent moisture during their growing season but not waterlogged conditions. Overwatering is the most common cause of cyclamen death.
Humidity
Cyclamen appreciate moderate humidity but are damaged by misting, since water on the leaves and flowers encourages grey mould (botrytis), which is a common problem in cool, damp conditions. A pebble tray with water placed beneath the pot provides some humidity around the plant without wetting the foliage directly.
Good air circulation around the plant also helps prevent fungal problems, so avoid placing cyclamen in enclosed or poorly ventilated spots.
Fertilizing
Feed cyclamen with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks during the active growing and blooming season. A fertilizer lower in nitrogen and higher in potassium and phosphorus encourages flowering rather than excessive leaf growth.
Do not fertilize during summer dormancy when the plant is resting.
Deadheading
Removing spent flowers and yellowing leaves promptly is important for cyclamen care. Spent flowers left on the plant can encourage grey mould and divert energy away from new flower production. When removing flowers and leaves, do not cut them off at the base since the remaining stump can rot. Instead, grasp the stem near the base and twist while gently pulling downward to remove it cleanly at the tuber.
Summer Dormancy
This is the aspect of cyclamen care that surprises most owners. After the blooming season ends in late spring, cyclamen naturally go dormant for summer. The leaves yellow and die back, and the plant appears to be dead. This is completely normal and not a sign of failure.
When dormancy begins, gradually reduce watering until the foliage has fully died back, then stop watering entirely. Store the pot somewhere cool, dry, and shaded for summer, such as a cool basement or garage. The tuber rests in the dry soil throughout summer.
In late summer or early autumn, you will see new growth beginning to emerge from the tuber. This is the signal to resume watering carefully and move the plant back to its cool, bright growing spot. With proper management through dormancy, cyclamen can rebloom year after year.
How to Get Cyclamen to Rebloom
Reblooming cyclamen is the goal most owners have, and it is achievable with the right approach. The key steps are maintaining cool temperatures during the blooming season, allowing the plant to go through a proper summer dormancy with no watering, and bringing it back into active growth in late summer with careful watering and cool conditions.
Many cyclamen that fail to rebloom have either been kept too warm during the blooming season or have not been allowed to go through proper dormancy. Following the dormancy process described above gives the best chance of a repeat display.
Common Problems
Yellowing leaves during blooming season. Usually caused by overwatering, temperatures that are too warm, or poor drainage. Check your watering routine and move the plant to a cooler location.
Drooping flowers and leaves. Often caused by either underwatering or temperatures that are too warm. Check both factors and address whichever applies.
Grey mould on leaves or flowers. Caused by fungal infection encouraged by high humidity, poor air circulation, or water on the foliage. Remove affected parts, improve air circulation, and water from below rather than over the top of the plant.
Plant declining rapidly after purchase. Almost always caused by being placed in a room that is too warm. Move the plant to the coolest available spot in your home.
No reblooming. Usually caused by insufficient summer dormancy or temperatures that were too warm during the previous blooming season. Follow the full dormancy process and ensure cool conditions during the blooming period.
Is Cyclamen Toxic to Pets?
Yes, cyclamen are toxic to cats and dogs. The tubers contain the highest concentration of the toxic compounds, which can cause vomiting, drooling, diarrhoea, and in severe cases more serious symptoms if large quantities are ingested. Keep cyclamen out of reach of pets, particularly animals that dig at soil where the tuber is accessible.
Conclusion
Cyclamen care is more about providing the right environment than following a complex routine. Cool temperatures, bright indirect light, careful watering from below, good air circulation, and a proper summer dormancy period are the foundations of keeping cyclamen healthy and encouraging them to rebloom year after year. Once you understand that this plant genuinely prefers the cool conditions that most houseplants dislike, everything else about caring for it makes perfect sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cyclamen dying after I brought it home?
The most common reason is that the plant is being kept in a room that is too warm. Cyclamen need cool temperatures between 50-65°F (10-18°C) and decline rapidly in warm, centrally heated rooms. Move it to the coolest spot in your home, away from any heat sources.
Can cyclamen rebloom?
Yes, cyclamen can rebloom year after year with proper care. Allow the plant to go through a complete summer dormancy by stopping watering after the foliage dies back, resting it in a cool dry place through summer, then resuming watering in late summer when new growth appears.
How often should I water cyclamen?
Water when the top of the soil begins to feel dry, watering from below by placing the pot in a tray of water for thirty minutes. Never let the pot sit in standing water for extended periods and avoid getting water on the leaves, flowers, or top of the tuber.
Are cyclamen toxic to cats?
Yes, cyclamen are toxic to cats and dogs. The tubers are particularly toxic and can cause vomiting, drooling, and diarrhoea if ingested. Keep the plant out of reach of pets.
What temperature do cyclamen need?
Cyclamen prefer cool temperatures between 50-65°F (10-18°C). They dislike warm conditions and will decline in rooms kept above 68°F (20°C). A cool room, unheated hallway, or north-facing windowsill are ideal locations during the blooming season.
