Native Habitat

Cyclamen hails from the Mediterranean, and many of the 23 species are native to Italy, Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, Greece, Syria and parts of North Africa and western Asia. They grow in well-drained woodland soils, alpine meadows, and rocky areas where the summers are dry and winters are cool with few frosts. Their native habitat is a clue that the plants do not like to be waterlogged—they grow in rocky areas with gritty soil where water quickly drains away. And, because they grow in cool conditions during winter, they will sulk if placed near a radiator or warm air vent.

Watering

Watering can be tricky. I learned the hard way that it’s easy to kill a cyclamen by providing too much water or by pouring water directly into the crown of the plant. Cyclamen grow from a tuber—a swollen, horizontal, mostly underground stem that bears leaves, buds, and roots and stores food when the plant is dormant (without leaves or flowers). Overwatering can cause the tuber to rot. The plants should always be grown in pots with drainage holes.

It’s best to take the pot to the sink, water it thoroughly, and then let the excess water drain away for about 30 minutes before placing the pot back on the dry saucer. If you find the leaves are turning yellow, it could be from too much water. Instead of watering from the top of the soil, you can set the pot in a bowl of water and let it “drink” up the water and then put it back on the saucer. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings but not so much that the leaves begin to wilt.

Temperature & Care

Cyclamen like it on the cool side, preferring temperatures no more than 68 degrees F. (20 C) during the day and down to 50 F. (10 C) at night. It’s not always easy to achieve cooler temperatures in heated, dry rooms. However, an enclosed porch, unheated sunroom, or a bright, cool basement window could serve as that spot. An east- or north-facing windowsill where the plants are out of direct sunlight is best. If you only have south- or west-facing windows, move the plant back a bit so it gets bright filtered light.

Cyclamen flowers often last for two months or more. While they’re in bloom, fertilize the plants every two or three weeks with an all-purpose water-soluble fertilizer. You can extend the bloom time by removing the spent flowers. Don’t use scissors—that will cause the stems to die back and may delay additional flower production. Instead, use your fingers to pinch and pull at the base of the stem.