When the weather starts to cool down, nothing brightens up a home quite like the delicate blooms of a Cyclamen. Between those dainty flowers and the gorgeous, heart-shaped dark green leaves with their silvery patterns, these plants are real showstoppers. But here’s a pro tip: those leaves aren’t just pretty to look at—they’re actually a “health barometer” for your plant.
Dealing with Discolored Leaves
If you notice your Cyclamen’s leaves turning yellow or looking a bit limp and sad, your plant is trying to tell you something is wrong. Usually, it’s a sign of a little hiccup in its care routine. Ask yourself:
- Is it too bright, too hot, or too cold?
- Is the air too dry?
- Am I overwatering or underwatering?
- Does it need a nutrient boost?
If you spot yellowing, run through this checklist first to get to the root of the problem.
Finding the Sweet Spot
Cyclamen love a spot that’s bright but cool (ideally between 55°F and 60°F) with plenty of humidity. Think draft-free hallways, bedrooms, bathrooms, or even a kitchen windowsill. Just make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight and away from chilly drafts. To keep the air moist, you can use a small humidifier or simply set a tray of water near the plant to evaporate.
If you’re planting them in the garden, they’re happiest in the shade of trees or shrubs. You can even bury a small bowl of water nearby to help maintain that humidity they crave.
Watering Wisdom
Cyclamen need a good amount of water, but there’s a catch—they hate being soggy. If you overdo it, the tuber can suffer, which leads to those dreaded yellow leaves. The golden rule? Water them whenever the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch.
For outdoor plants, give them a drink during dry spells. If you’re expecting a heavy downpour, you might want to protect them so they don’t sit in standing water. If the roots start to rot, it’s usually game over for the plant, so drainage is key!
Feeding Your Plant
If your Cyclamen isn’t getting enough nutrients, it’ll let you know pretty quickly with yellowing foliage. You only need to fertilize while the plant is actively blooming—once every two weeks is plenty. A liquid fertilizer mixed into your watering can works great, or you can use fertilizer spikes for convenience. Once the blooming season ends and the plant goes dormant, take a break from fertilizing altogether.
What to Do With Yellow Leaves?
Whenever you see a leaf turning yellow or a flower starting to wilt, you’ll want to remove it right away to prevent any rot from reaching the tuber. Here’s the trick: don’t use scissors! Instead, give the stem a quick, firm tug with a slight twist to pull it cleanly away from the base.
