Indoor Cyclamen Care

Caring for Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum): A Classic Winter Houseplant

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is one of the most beloved winter-flowering pot plants. With its vibrant flowers and marbled foliage, it brings a splash of colour to homes during the colder months. When cared for correctly, cyclamen can bloom for several months and even return year after year.

Why Cyclamen Is So Popular

• Beautiful winter blooms in shades of red, pink, white, and purple

• Compact and decorative—ideal for windowsills and indoor containers

• Long flowering period from late autumn through early spring

Ideal Growing Conditions

To get the best from your cyclamen, recreate its native Mediterranean winter conditions indoors:

• Light

  • Prefers bright, indirect light

  • Best positioned in a north- or east-facing window

  • Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves

• Temperature

  • Thrives in cool rooms, ideally 50–60°F (10–16°C)

  • Avoid placing near radiators or heat sources

• Humidity

  • Requires high humidity to prevent leaf yellowing

  • Increase humidity by:

    • Standing the pot on a tray filled with moist pebbles

    • Nestling the pot inside a larger container filled with damp peat or moss

Watering and Feeding

Cyclamen are sensitive to overwatering and crown rot, so it’s important to water correctly:

• Watering

  • Keep the compost moist at all times during growth and flowering

  • Use the immersion method:

    • Place the pot in a bowl of water and allow it to soak from the bottom up

    • Remove once the surface of the compost glistens

    • Allow any excess water to drain away completely

  • Avoid watering over the crown of the tuber

• Feeding

  • Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks during the blooming season

After Flowering: Dormancy and Re-potting

Cyclamen naturally go dormant in summer, and it’s essential to follow a rest cycle:

• Gradually reduce watering after the flowering period ends

• Stop feeding entirely and allow the leaves to die back naturally

• Store the pot on its side in a cool, dry place until midsummer

• Re-potting in Midsummer

  • Re-pot into fresh, free-draining compost (such as John Innes No.2 mixed with grit)

  • Position the tuber half above the surface of the compost

  • Water sparingly at first and increase as new growth appears

  • Place the plant in a cool, bright location

Cyclamen in Historical Context

• Native region: Eastern Mediterranean

• Introduction to Europe: First cultivated in European gardens in the 18th century

• Popularity in the 19th century: Became a fashionable indoor plant during the Victorian era

• Symbolism: Associated with departure or farewell in the language of flowers, though commonly gifted for cheer

• Horticultural development: Early cultivars required greenhouse conditions, but modern varieties are bred for home environments with improved flower longevity and colour range

Quick Care Summary

• Maintain cool temperatures (50–60°F or 10–16°C)

• Provide bright but indirect light

• Ensure high humidity

• Use the immersion method for watering

• Keep the crown dry at all times

• Feed every 2–3 weeks during flowering

• Allow dormancy in summer and re-pot midseason with tuber half-exposed

Cyclamen remains a time-tested favourite for brightening indoor spaces during winter. With a little care and the right conditions, it can continue to bring seasonal colour and joy year after year.