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Growing Cyclamens as a House Plant
October 9, 1999
The blossoms of the Cyclamen twist and turn like tiny butterfly wings.
The silvery, marbled coloring of the foliage accents the beautiful flower colors of lavender, rose, maroon, red, or white.
The most important criteria for success with growing Cyclamen are temperature, fresh air, and moisture.
Cyclamen will rarely succeed if the temperature goes above sixty-five degrees during the day and fifty degrees at night. Cyclamen said should be watered daily to keep the soil moist. Ideally, they should be kept on top of a pebble fill tray of water. Never pour the water over the crown of the plant, as this will cause the corm to rot. Because they prefer a humid atmosphere, misting is beneficial. Keep them out of drafts!
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Cyclamen will continue to bloom from December up until April if they are kept cool and happy. As the flower stalks and leaves die off, they should be removed by giving them a sharp tug. New foliage and flowers will soon replace the old.
The corm of the Cyclamen plant will normally go dormant after April. Gradually reduce the water, keeping the plant in a cool, darker place. Allow the corm to slowly dry out. Replant it in a shaded area of the garden in the spring.
In the garden, Cyclamen should be planted with half of the corm just below the soil surface. In July are August, when the tiny new leaves begin to develop, transplant it into a pot using a rich sandy potting soil, but leave it outdoors. Keep the bed on which the pot stands moist . In early fall the potted corm can be again moved into the house, where it should be kept in a window where it will receive a few hours of morning sun each day. Potted Cyclamen should be fed monthly with a diluted have strength liquid house plant fertilizer.
Cyclamen may be grown from seed, however it takes eighteen months before you will see your first flowers. Therefore, you will probably be better off to purchase your plant from a nursery.
Hardy Cyclamen corms should be planted in a semi shady area of the garden in August or September. They should be planted 2 in. deep and 6 in. apart in a slightly alkaline soil, with a generous amount of leaf mold added. Different varieties of hardy Cyclamen may root from either the bottom or top of the corm. Be certain to plant the appropriate side up!
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