Once summer starts to fade, it’s finally time for cyclamens to take center stage! With those elegant, swept-back petals in shades of red, rose, pink, and white, they are a total showstopper—whether they’re sitting on your windowsill or tucked into your garden beds. The secret to keeping them happy in both spots? It’s all about picking the right location.
Indoor Cyclamens
These beauties are a classic houseplant favorite for a reason. If you give them the right environment, they aren’t just a one-and-done bouquet; they’ll actually come back to bloom for you year after year.
The Perfect Spot
Cyclamens are “cool weather” fans. They really thrive in temperatures between 55 and 60°F. They’ll be happiest in an unheated bedroom, a sunroom, a breezy hallway, or a cool kitchen. The goal is a spot that stays relatively chilly but stays well above freezing. Make sure they get plenty of bright, indirect light, but keep them out of harsh, direct sun so they don’t scorched.
Water and Fertilizer
Your cyclamen likes plenty of water, but it definitely doesn’t want to drown. To avoid “wet feet,” make sure your pot has great drainage. A pro tip: pour water into the saucer or the outer decorative pot rather than over the top. This lets the roots soak up what they need while keeping the bulb (the tuber) dry, which prevents rot. Just remember to pour out any leftover water after about 20 minutes.
Only feed your cyclamen during its active growth phase. A little liquid fertilizer in your watering can every two weeks works wonders, or you can use fertilizer spikes. When the plant goes dormant (usually between May and July), give the fertilizer a rest.
Summer Care
Indoor cyclamens actually love a “summer vacation” outdoors! You can move them to a semi-shaded spot in the garden or on your patio. During this time, the tuber is recharging its batteries for the next blooming season. Just be careful not to overwater them while they’re resting.
Hardy Garden Cyclamens
If you want to grow these outdoors, there are three main varieties to look for depending on when you want color:
- The Spring Cyclamen (blooms in February or March)
- The Summer Cyclamen (blooms August to September)
- The Ivy-Leaved/Autumn Cyclamen (blooms August to October)
You’ll want to plant the tubers about 3 inches deep. To keep them thriving, look for a spot that offers:
- Partial shade
- Protection from wind (near hedges or shrubs)
- Minimal direct afternoon sun
- Moist but well-draining soil (no standing water!)
- Rich, loamy soil
Once these hardy varieties are settled in, they’re pretty much “set it and forget it.” In the summer, the shade from nearby shrubs protects them from the heat and heavy downpours. In the winter, fallen leaves from those same shrubs act as a natural blanket to keep the tubers cozy.
