Cyclamen are such a classic choice for adding a pop of color to your garden, balcony, or even a chilly corner of your home. They’re generally pretty low-maintenance, though they do require a little “know-how” when it comes to watering. Since these beauties actually prefer cooler temperatures, they are the perfect guests for your balcony during the fall or on those milder winter days.
Growing Cyclamen on Your Balcony
Cyclamen are happiest when the thermometer stays between 50 and 60°F. That crisp air is exactly what triggers them to send up those gorgeous blooms. However, you don’t want things getting *too* chilly—most common varieties aren’t fans of a hard frost. If yours are in small pots, move them into a bright, cool bedroom or a hallway when temperatures dip below freezing. If they’re staying outside in larger planters or balcony boxes, they’ll need some extra protection to survive the winter.
The most important rule? Never let the root ball freeze solid. If that happens, the tuber will turn to mush and won’t recover. To prevent this, tuck your planters close to the house wall to shield them from biting winds and frost. You can also place the pots on thick Styrofoam sheets or wooden blocks and wrap the containers in burlap or garden fleece for extra insulation.
If you keep your cyclamen on the balcony during the summer, watch out for heatwaves. Once it hits 85-90°F, the plant can actually “suffocate” or go into heat stress. On those sweltering days, it’s best to move pots into a cooler spot indoors or shift balcony boxes to a shady patch in the garden.
How to Care for Your Cyclamen
Whether your cyclamen is living in the living room, on the balcony, or out in the garden, it needs a little TLC to stay happy:
- Twist and pull out wilted flower stems and yellow leaves (don’t just cut them!).
- Water regularly.
- Always pour out excess water from the saucer.
- Avoid soggy soil at all costs—adding a drainage layer to the bottom of the pot is a great idea.
- Use liquid fertilizer sparingly.
- Keep an eye out for any pesky pests.
Hardy Cyclamen Varieties
Some specific species are tough enough to live outdoors year-round in the garden or on the balcony. They love a spot with partial to full shade and soil that is rich in organic matter and stays consistently moist.
- Fill a large planter with high-quality potting soil, or loosen the soil in your garden bed and mix in some mature compost.
- Give the tubers a good soak in water before planting.
- Dig a hole about 2 to 3 inches deep and set the tubers inside.
- Cover them with soil and press down gently to firm them in.
- Give them a thorough watering to help them settle.
