Tools and Materials

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What is a Cyclamen Plant

Before moving on to how to grow cyclamen, it is important to know what a cyclamen plant is. Cyclamen are plants with thick roots and pretty flowers in colors like pink, white, red and purple. They grow best in cool, humid conditions and that's why they are commonly grown inside the house as houseplants or outdoors in places that are cooler and humid.

Tip

Cyclamen is dormant in summer and blooms in colder weather, usually during fall, winter or early spring.

Types of Cyclamen

There are several types of cyclamen and choosing the right one depends on your growing conditions. Some popular varieties are :

Cyclamen persicum (Florist’s Cyclamen)

This is the most common type of cyclamen which is known for its large, colorful flowers. It’s ideal for indoor gardening, blooming in cooler months with colors like red, pink, purple and white.

Cyclamen hederifolium (Ivy-Leaved Cyclamen)

With ivy-shaped leaves and pink or white flowers, this cyclamen is perfect for outdoor gardens in temperate climates. It blooms in late summer or fall and thrives in shaded areas.

Cyclamen coum (Eastern Cyclamen)

This variety has heart-shaped leaves and small pink, purple or white flowers. It can tolerate cold weather and is great for outdoor gardens, blooming in winter or early spring.

Cyclamen mirabile

This cyclamen is Known for its unique foliage and pinkish-red flowers, It is perfect for shaded spots. It’s a slow-growing cyclamen but thrives in cool, moist conditions.

Cyclamen alpinum

A hardy cyclamen that grows well in rocky gardens or areas with well-drained soil. It has silver-marked leaves and blooms in pink or purple flowers.

How to Grow Cyclamen

If you’re wondering if you can plant cyclamen outside, select a spot that is shady and cool and away from direct sunlight. Ideal outdoor locations for these plants include areas under trees or shaded parts of the garden to avoid the direct rays of the sun.

If you are planning to grow it for indoor gardening, then select a location that receives ample but indirect sunlight. A window facing north or east would be an optimal choice, offering the bright but indirect light needed for a cyclamen plant to flourish.

To grow happy cyclamen, you need to get the soil right. These plants don't like to be too wet, so they need soil that lets water run through them quickly. If you are planting them outside, then with the help of a shovel or garden trowel, mix some compost or dead leaves into your garden soil. This helps the water drain out fast.

For cyclamen inside your home, pick a potting mix made for indoor plants. You can also mix in some small rocks to help the soil drain better.

Planting cyclamen, whether you start with tubers like small bulbs or plants that are already growing, is easy.

For Planting Outdoors:

Dig a hole: About 1 inch deep using your shovel or garden trowel.
Place the tuber: With the rounded side facing down and the pointy side just below the soil surface.
Keep some distance: Ensure there's about 6 inches of space around each tuber to give your cyclamen enough room to grow.

Planting Indoors:

Choose your pot: Choose a pot that has drainage holes at the bottom.
Fill the pot: Fill the pot using a well-draining potting mix suitable for indoor plants.
Potting the plant: Set the tuber or plant in the pot so the top is right at the soil's surface and not buried inside it.

Caution

Do not plant the tubers too deep, as it can hamper the growth and flowering of the plant.

Like other plants, watering your cyclamen correctly is important for its health and growth. Water your cyclamen only when the top layer of soil feels dry. Cyclamens don’t like too much water, so it’s better to wait until the top layer of the soil feels dry.

For cyclamen plants inside your home, the best way to water them is from the bottom. Find a shallow dish or tray that can hold water and is big enough to fit the pot of your cyclamen. Fill the dish with water and gently place the pot in it.
Make sure the water does not go over the top of the pot; this process only wets the roots of the plant. Leave the pot sitting in the water for a little while the soil will absorb water through the pot's drainage holes, giving the cyclamen exactly what it needs. After the soil feels moist, take the pot out of the dish and let any excess water drain out.

Caution

It's important to let the pot drain so that your cyclamen isn't sitting in water, as overwatering will lead to root rot.

To fertilize cyclamen in fall and winter, you'll need a water-soluble fertilizer, a measuring cup and a watering can. Mix half the recommended fertilizer dose with water in the watering can and create a gentle solution. Every two weeks, when the soil is dry, feed your plant with this mixture. Avoid fertilizing in summer, as cyclamen rest then. This careful feeding schedule ensures your cyclamen blooms beautifully without the risk of getting prey to over-fertilization.

FAQs

1. Is a cyclamen an indoor or outdoor plant?

Cyclamens can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Indoor cyclamens thrive in cooler conditions with indirect sunlight, while outdoor cyclamens grow well in shaded areas, especially in temperate climates.

2. How long does a potted cyclamen last?

A potted cyclamen can last for several months, typically blooming from fall to early spring. After the blooming period, it will go dormant, and the plant will rest until the next growing season.

3. Do cyclamen prefer sun or shade?

Cyclamens prefer cooler, shaded areas. Whether indoors or outdoors, they thrive in places with indirect light or partial shade, away from the harsh midday sun.

4. Are coffee grounds good for cyclamen?

Coffee grounds can be beneficial for cyclamens in small amounts, as they are slightly acidic and can improve soil drainage. However, use them sparingly to avoid over-acidifying the soil, which could harm the plant.

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