Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)

Last updated: August 3, 2025

The Cyclamen is a popular gift plant, especially during the colder months, known for its beautiful, swept-back flowers and marbled, heart-shaped leaves. They are unique in that their active growing and blooming season is during the fall and winter, after which they go dormant.

Lighting

Cyclamen prefer bright, indirect light during their active growing season (fall and winter).

Ideal: An east-facing window is often perfect, providing gentle morning sun. A few feet back from a sunny south or west-facing window is also suitable, but avoid direct, harsh sun which can burn the leaves.
During Dormancy: When the plant goes dormant in late spring/early summer, it's best to move it to a cool, dark place.

Watering Routine

Proper watering is crucial for Cyclamen, and it’s where many people go wrong. They need consistently moist soil but are extremely sensitive to crown and root rot.

Method: The best way to water is from the bottom. Place the pot in a saucer or dish of room-temperature water for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the plant to soak up what it needs. Remove the pot and let any excess water drain away.
Frequency: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. You should avoid getting water on the leaves or the central "crown" of the plant, as this can cause it to rot.
Dormancy: As the plant enters dormancy in spring (leaves yellow and die back), gradually reduce watering and stop completely once all the foliage has gone. Water only enough to keep the soil from completely drying out during this period.

Fertilizer Requirements

Fertilize your Cyclamen sparingly during its active growing and blooming season, from fall through spring.

Type: Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer or a "bloom booster" fertilizer slightly higher in phosphorus.
Commercial Recommendation: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food (Liquid) or Schultz Liquid Plant Food are easily available options. Dilute these commercial concentrates to achieve approximately 25-50 ppm N in your final solution. This is often equivalent to using them at "half strength" of the package's recommended dose.
DIY Fertilizer Suggestion:
For optimal blooming, use your homemade 1-2-1 liquid fertilizer concentrate (High Phosphorus) or a balanced 1-1-1 liquid fertilizer concentrate.
- For 1-2-1 concentrate (10,000 ppm N): Apply at a "Light Feeding" rate, using 5 ml per 1 liter of water (resulting in ~50 ppm N, 100 ppm P₂O₅, 50 ppm K₂O). See recipe details.
- For 1-1-1 concentrate (10,000 ppm N): Apply at a "Light Feeding" rate, using 5 ml per 1 liter of water (resulting in ~50 ppm N, 50 ppm P₂O₅, 50 ppm K₂O). See recipe details.
Avoid: Do not fertilize when the plant is dormant. Over-fertilizing can lead to lush foliage but fewer flowers.

Misting Requirements

Cyclamen prefer cool temperatures and high humidity.

Recommended: They appreciate a humid environment, especially in winter when indoor air is dry.
Methods: Placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water is an excellent way to provide humidity without getting the foliage wet. You can also use a room humidifier nearby. Misting the foliage directly is not recommended, as it can encourage fungal diseases and rot.

Pot Size and Soil Type

Pot Size: When repotting, choose a pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one. Cyclamen grow from a corm (a tuber-like structure), and it's best to plant it so the top of the corm is slightly exposed above the soil line to prevent rot. Ensure the pot has excellent drainage holes.
Soil Type: Use a well-draining, slightly acidic, and organically rich potting mix. A standard houseplant potting mix amended with some peat moss and perlite works well. The key is a mix that holds some moisture but allows excess water to drain away quickly.

Special Notes:

Temperature: Cyclamen thrive in cool temperatures, ideally between 50-65°F (10-18°C) during the day and slightly cooler at night. Avoid placing them near heat vents, radiators, or hot windows.
Dormancy: Do not discard your plant when the leaves yellow and die back in the spring! This is its natural dormant period. Reduce watering, store the pot in a cool, dry, dark place for the summer, and resume watering in the fall when new growth emerges.
Deadheading: To prolong blooming, remove spent flowers and yellowing leaves by twisting the stem and pulling it cleanly from the base of the plant.