When fall and winter roll around—and sometimes even into early spring—indoor cyclamens really get their chance to shine. They’re absolutely stunning with those delicate, butterfly-like blooms and heart-shaped leaves with gorgeous silvery patterns. But once the flowering season ends, you’ll notice the blossoms and leaves start to wilt. Don’t panic! Your plant isn’t dying; it’s just getting ready for a well-deserved nap.
Taking Care of Indoor Cyclamen in the Summer
Think of the summer months as a spa retreat for your cyclamen. During this time, you won’t see any new flowers, and sometimes the leaves disappear entirely. Even though it’s summer, the plant is actually going into its version of “hibernation.” That storage tuber worked overtime during the blooming season and needs this downtime to recharge its batteries. If the weather is nice and mild, your cyclamen will actually love spending its summer vacation outdoors.
Location and Maintenance
Cyclamens are fans of the “cool and collected” look, so they prefer shady or semi-shady spots. A great place for them is tucked under some shrubs or a hedge where they’re protected from harsh, direct sunlight and heavy downpours. During this two-month nap, your plant only needs a tiny bit of water and absolutely no fertilizer. Just make sure the soil doesn’t bone-dry completely. This rest period is non-negotiable if you want to keep your cyclamen for years to come. If the tuber doesn’t get this chance to recover, you won’t see many flowers in the fall, and the plant won’t stay healthy for long.
Once early July hits, you can start giving it a little bit of fertilizer again and slightly increase the watering. Then, toward the end of September, it’s time to bring your cyclamen back inside to a cool room in the house.
Summer To-Do List
Before your cyclamen starts pushing out new growth in the fall, summer is the perfect time for some “plant surgery” or maintenance that would be too stressful while the plant is actively growing.
- Repotting your indoor cyclamen
- Moving hardy outdoor cyclamens to a new spot in the garden
- Propagating the plant by dividing the tuber
- Starting new plants from seed
Hardy Garden Cyclamens in the Summer
Hardy cyclamens are a fantastic addition to those shady or semi-shady corners of your garden. They feel right at home under hedges, perennials, or trees. They love soil that’s rich in organic matter and stays moist, but you definitely want to avoid “wet feet” (standing water). You can plant the tubers in early summer or fall in soil enriched with compost. Give them a good drink of water, and then let them be! They’ll take their time growing roots and, depending on the variety, will pop up with blooms in either the fall or spring. If you pick the right spot from the start, hardy cyclamens are incredibly low-maintenance.
