Cyclamen Care: How to Keep Them Happy and Healthy

Cyclamen plants are a real treat for anyone who loves a pop of color during the cooler months. With their vibrant, butterfly-like flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and purple, they can really brighten up a room or garden when most other plants are going dormant. Plus, their unique heart-shaped leaves with silvery patterns add extra charm. But despite their delicate appearance, cyclamen are tougher than they look—as long as you know a few key care tips!

What is Cyclamen?

Cyclamen is a genus of plants that come from Mediterranean regions, meaning they love cool weather and have adapted to survive through hot summers. The most commonly grown type is Cyclamen persicum, which is what you’ll usually find in garden centers, especially around fall and winter.

These beauties are known for their unusual growth habits: they’re actually dormant in summer and start perking up when temperatures drop. So if you notice your cyclamen fading in late spring, don’t worry—it’s just going to sleep for a bit!

How to Care for Your Cyclamen

Here’s everything you need to know to keep your cyclamen thriving:

1. Light

Cyclamen love bright, indirect light. If you’re growing them indoors, place them near a window where they can get plenty of light but avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves. In a garden, they do well in partial shade. Think of their natural habitat—they’re used to growing in the dappled light under trees, so try to mimic that.

2. Temperature

This is one of the most important aspects of cyclamen care. These plants prefer cooler temperatures, ideally between 50°F and 65°F (10°C to 18°C). They don’t do well in hot environments, so keep them away from heating vents, radiators, or direct sun during hot spells. If your home is warmer, try moving them to a cooler room, like a porch or an unheated hallway, especially at night.

3. Watering

Cyclamen are a little picky about water, but once you get the hang of it, it’s easy! The best way to water is from the bottom. Place the pot in a shallow dish of water and let the plant soak for about 20-30 minutes. This method helps prevent water from sitting on the tuber (the swollen root structure) and leaves, which can lead to rot.

Water when the soil feels dry to the touch, but be careful not to let it dry out completely. During their active growing period (fall to spring), they’ll need more water. In summer, when they’re dormant, ease off the watering—just give them a little sip occasionally.

4. Humidity

Cyclamen like a bit of humidity, but not too much. If the air in your home is very dry, especially in winter, place a shallow dish of water nearby to create some humidity. You can also mist the air around the plant, but avoid misting directly onto the plant itself, as wet leaves can invite disease.

5. Fertilizer

During the growing season (fall to spring), feeding your cyclamen every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer will keep them healthy and encourage more blooms. Just be sure to dilute the fertilizer to half the strength recommended on the package to avoid overfeeding.

6. Repotting and Dormancy

Cyclamen grow from tubers, which swell over time. If you notice your plant is getting crowded in its pot, it’s time to repot—ideally in the fall, just before the growing season kicks off. Use a well-draining potting mix to help prevent root rot, and make sure the tuber sits just above the soil surface.

As for dormancy, don’t panic if your cyclamen starts to look a little sad in late spring! It’s perfectly normal for the plant to go into a resting phase during the warmer months. The leaves will yellow and die back, but the tuber will still be alive. At this point, stop fertilizing and reduce watering. You can even move the plant to a cool, dark spot. Once fall rolls around again, new leaves will start to grow, and you can resume regular care.

Common Cyclamen Problems (And How to Fix Them)

Like any plant, cyclamen can run into a few issues, but most are easy to fix:

• Yellowing leaves: This is often a sign of overwatering or that the plant is too warm. Make sure you’re letting the soil dry out between waterings and move the plant to a cooler spot.
• No flowers: Cyclamen need cool temperatures to bloom. If you’re not seeing any flowers, try moving it to a cooler location and check if it’s getting enough indirect light.
• Drooping leaves and flowers: If the plant is wilting, it could be thirsty. Check the soil, and if it’s dry, give it a good soak from the bottom.

Bonus Tip: Keeping Cyclamen Year After Year

Cyclamen are often treated as temporary plants, but with the right care, you can enjoy them year after year! After they finish blooming and go dormant in the summer, resist the urge to toss them. Just follow the dormancy care tips above, and your cyclamen will reward you with another round of beautiful blooms when the weather cools down again.

With a little attention to their unique needs, cyclamen plants are not only beautiful but also relatively easy to care for. Just remember: cool temperatures, bright indirect light, and a balanced watering routine are key to keeping your cyclamen happy.  Come into any of our 7 locations and pick up one for yourself! Happy gardening! 🌸

Christmas Plants: How to Keep Your Holiday Greens Happy

Nothing brings the holiday spirit quite like the beauty of Christmas plants. From the vibrant reds of poinsettias to the delicate blooms of Christmas cactus and the graceful green branches of Norfolk Island pine, these plants add warmth, charm, and cheer to any home. Here’s a guide on caring for these festive favorites, so they stay healthy and beautiful throughout the season and beyond.

Poinsettias: The Classic Christmas Flower

Poinsettias are a holiday favorite, known for their striking red leaves (called bracts) and lush green foliage. They’re perfect for adding a splash of color to any room!

How to Care for Your Poinsettia:

• Light: Place your poinsettia in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight. A window with morning sun is ideal.
• Watering: Water when the top two inches of soil is dry. Allow water to drain away to avoid soggy roots, which poinsettias don’t like.
• Temperature: Keep your plant in a warm room, ideally around 65-75°F, and away from cold drafts or direct heat sources.
• Pet & Child Safety: Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias aren’t as toxic as once thought. While not recommended for snacking, they’re generally safe around pets and children, though they may cause mild discomfort if ingested.

Fun Fact: Poinsettias are native to Mexico, and their original bright red color has been joined by new varieties, including whites, pinks, and even speckled designs.

Christmas Cactus: The Blooming Winter Wonder

Known for its beautiful, cascading blooms that appear during the winter months, the Christmas cactus is a unique holiday choice. Its vibrant flowers add a pop of color during a time when most other plants are dormant.

How to Care for Your Christmas Cactus:

• Light: Place it in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can burn its leaves.
• Watering: Water when the soil is dry to the touch. Over-watering can cause root rot, so be mindful to let the soil dry a bit between waterings.
• Encouraging Blooms: For the best chance of winter blooms, reduce the plant’s light exposure in the fall (around October) and place it in a cooler room at night. These conditions help trigger flowering just in time for Christmas.

Tip: The Christmas cactus is easy to share! You can propagate it from cuttings, making it a perfect gift for friends and family during the holiday season.

Norfolk Island Pine: A Mini Christmas Tree

With its soft, needle-like branches, the Norfolk Island pine is a popular alternative for those who want a mini Christmas tree. It’s perfect for decorating with small ornaments and string lights, bringing a festive touch to even the coziest spaces.

How to Care for Your Norfolk Island Pine (you can also check out our blogpost on the topic for more detail!):

• Light: Norfolk Island pines need bright, indirect light. A well-lit room is ideal.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when the top layer begins to feel dry, and make sure your pot has good drainage.
• Humidity: These pines love humidity! If your home tends to be dry during winter, especially with indoor heating, mist the plant regularly or place a humidifier nearby to keep it thriving.

Decorating Tip: Since Norfolk pines are slow-growing, you can keep and enjoy them for many holiday seasons to come. Add lightweight ornaments to avoid weighing down the branches, and enjoy your own miniature tree.

Cyclamen: The Winter Bloomer

Cyclamen plants are known for their delicate, butterfly-like blooms in shades of pink, red, white, and purple. With their unique marbled leaves, cyclamen make a beautiful addition to holiday decor, bringing a fresh and cheerful look to any indoor space.

How to Care for Your Cyclamen:

• Light: Place cyclamen in bright, indirect light, but avoid direct sunlight as it can be too intense for their delicate blooms.
• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, but be cautious not to overwater. Water from the base by placing the pot in a shallow dish of water and letting the plant absorb what it needs for a few minutes. Avoid getting water on the leaves and crown to prevent rot.
• Temperature: Cyclamen thrive in cooler temperatures (around 60-65°F). Avoid placing them in overly warm rooms, as they prefer the chill of winter to bloom their best.
• Dormancy: After the blooming period, cyclamen often go dormant. Don’t be alarmed if the leaves yellow and die back. Reduce watering, and store the plant in a cool, dark place until new growth begins in late summer or early fall.

Tip: Cyclamen can rebloom year after year! Just give them a cool rest period after flowering, and they’ll reward you with fresh blooms next winter.

Lemon Cypress: The Festive, Fragrant Evergreen

General Tips for Holiday Plant Care

• Avoid Direct Heat & Cold Drafts: Place holiday plants away from heating vents, fireplaces, or drafty doors. Sudden temperature changes can stress the plants.
• Watch the Watering: Plants need less water in winter, so be cautious not to overwater. Check soil moisture first.
• Add Some Fertilizer (After the Holidays): Once the holiday season is over, consider adding a balanced fertilizer in spring to support new growth for the next year.

These festive plants don’t just add beauty to your holiday decor; they can be a lasting part of your indoor garden with a little care. So go ahead and bring the spirit of the season into your home with poinsettias, Christmas cactus, and Norfolk pines – and enjoy the warmth they add all winter long.

And if you’d like to listen to our Greenhouse Expert, Farid, talk about this topic with our friend Maria from Growing Joy with Plants Podcast, click below!  You can also come visit us at any of our 7 locations for in-person advice!