Winter Cyclamen Blooms

As I discussed in How to Have Healthy Winter Houseplants, a popular winter flowering plant is the Cyclamen which offers 8 weeks of color. It comes in a variety of pinks, whites, reds, and maroon flowers with heart-shaped leaves. With this plant, more leaves means more buds and flowers.  Cyclamen are actually a type of bulb or corm (a short, thickened vertical stem). Their native habitat is the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. In your home, Cyclamen like to be a little on the cooler side with temperatures around 61˚F and in direct light or bright indirect light. My dining table faces my sliding glass doors  and the plant gets plenty of light.

Cyclamen is a tuberous perennial. In warmer climates (Zones 6-9), it maybe planted in the ground and will reappear every year. In colder areas of Zone 6, it may be wise to add an extra layer of mulch to protect it from harsh temperatures during the winter. It will not survive outside in zones colder than 6.

For most gardeners, Cyclamen is a beautiful winter houseplant. While in bloom, keep the root ball moist and feed the plant every two weeks. Cyclamen should be kept moist by watering in a tray and allowing the roots to take up the water rather than watering from above the plant which can lead to rotting. Remove yellow leaves and spent flowers.

When cyclamen are done blooming they can be discarded or the corm can be saved. After the foliage dies back, the plant should be left to dry. The corm should then be dug up and re-potted in midsummer.  Then place in a warm place so it can establish roots before returning it to a cool 55 – 60˚ F. to encourage flowering.

This post was featured at

You're a STAR
Subscribe summer

Thanks for the visit. Get exclusive free printables & all the news straight to your mailbox!

Subscribe

* indicates required

Please see my Link Parties page for the parties where this post was shared.

Carol

I was raised in Tennessee but have lived in Florida for many years. Love my small home in the Tampa Bay area and its developing garden. My decorating style is eclectic - some vintage, some cottage, all with a modern flair. Pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Spent many years in social services but am happily retired.

32 thoughts to “Winter Cyclamen Blooms”

  1. Your cyclamen is adorable and you have placed it so beautifully on the crocheted table cloth… Best wishes, lovely Sunday.

    1. thanks – it’s in the original plastic pot, I removed wrapper and slide into milk glass pitcher. I take it out to water every few days.

    1. I don’t think you’re killing them. I thought the same thing the first one I bought back in the ’90’s. They bloom in the winter a couple of months and then slowly the leaves drop and it goes dormant just like many northern spring bulbs. Just enjoy them during the early winter.

  2. Thanks, Carol! Your post came at the right time for me. There’s a pot of gorgeous red cyclamen roosting by the front door of which I had no clue (until now) how to take care of it. I knew the plant likes a shady spot outdoors but I didn’t know that it liked the cold. That’s good to know. I’m in zone 9 so into the ground this red guy shall go.

  3. Carol – I love everything about this post – the pretty colors of the cyclamen against its dark green foliage. The pot – my Mom used to have ceramics like this. The crocheted doily underneath the pot – my Mom has made doilies like this, and we recently received a glorious doily from a friend in Poland. In other words, this really resonated with me. Your educational post is a lovely gift to all the Mosaic Monday readers!

    1. thanks Angie – that is such a sweet comment. I got the hob nail pitcher at a thrift store a couple of years ago and love it. It reminds me of my childhood. The little doily is a gift from my sister-in-law. She’s very talented. Have a beautiful day.

  4. Beautiful plant I want one. It is not so pretty outside but seeing this beauty reminds me that spring is coming. Happy Week, Kippi #kippiathome

    1. I’ve never had a red one but would love to get one. I’ve never heard of it blooming continuously either. Lucky you!

  5. If it were 55˚ to 60˚ I’d be in underwear and a tank top. Beautiful colors which look fantastic in the textured white pitcher.

    1. thanks Jeanna. Isn’t your home 55 to 60 degrees? That works well for them. Hope you’re having a great week!

  6. Your cyclamen is a lovely colour. We have one in our cats memorial garden. It was supposed to be red but flowered white!
    I didn’t choose white because I thought white flowers don’t withstand the rain and frost as well, but it has been in flower since mid November and still looks just as good 2 months later. Last winter was the coldest for a long time and I hadn’t expected it to survive.
    https://allatseawithme.blogspot.com

I love to make new friends and get to know you.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.