Cyclamens are part of the primrose family and are most commonly grown as indoor plants. They absolutely love cool temperatures, but most varieties aren’t actually hardy enough to survive a tough winter. However, there are three specific types that can handle the frost and thrive right in your garden or on your balcony!
Growing Cyclamens in Pots
You can either pick up a blooming cyclamen at the garden center in the fall or start from scratch by planting tubers in nutrient-rich potting soil. If you have a flowering plant, keep it in the coolest spot possible—anything over 63°F (17°C) is actually too warm for them! Instead of a cozy living room, they’ll be much happier in a drafty hallway, a cool bedroom, or a bathroom.
If you want to grow your own cyclamen from a tuber, here’s the game plan:
- Start by soaking the tuber in water.
- While it’s soaking, fill a pot with high-quality potting mix.
- Take the tuber out of the water and place it in the soil with the curved side facing up.
- Fill the rest of the pot with soil, but make sure the top third of the tuber is still peeking out.
- Water around the tuber, being careful not to get water directly on the tuber itself.
- Place the pot in a cool, partially shaded spot.
Growing Cyclamens in the Garden
In the garden, these beauties prefer humus-rich, lime-heavy soil that stays slightly moist. They like a warm, sheltered spot with partial shade. There are three main types that are perfect for outdoor planting:
- The Eastern Cyclamen (Spring-blooming)
- The European Cyclamen (Summer-blooming)
- The Ivy-leaved Cyclamen (Fall-blooming)
The Eastern Cyclamen
This variety loves partial shade under hedges or shrubs and thrives in moist, lime-rich soil. September is the best time to plant them. Dig the tubers about 2.5 inches (6 cm) deep into well-loosened soil with the curved side facing up. While these little guys can handle frost, they’ll definitely appreciate a light winter mulch of pine branches or brush for extra protection.
The European Cyclamen
Plant these tubers in March using nutrient-rich soil. Just like the spring variety, tuck them into the ground with the roots facing down and give them a good watering around the base. If you plant them under deciduous trees, they’re pretty much “set it and forget it”—the fallen leaves in autumn provide all the winter protection they need.
The Ivy-leaved Cyclamen
This fall-bloomer has the same soil and light preferences as the others, but the planting method is a bit unique! You actually plant the tuber with the rounded side facing *down*. The roots grow from the top and then curve down and outward. Plant these in the spring, and you’ll enjoy beautiful blooms from late August until the first frost hits.
