Cyclamen is a petite flowering plant that has sweet-scented, small blooms on long stems that stretch up above the foliage. It is a tuberous perennial meaning it dies down to its thick roots (tubers) during its summer dormancy period and then regrows quickly each fall. Flowers come in shades of pink, purple, red, and white.

The heart-shaped leaves are medium green, often with silver marbling. It's commonly grown as a houseplant and is especially popular during the winter holiday season, when you can find cyclamen blooming on shelves in garden centers and grocery stores. Seeds can be planted in late summer for blooms in the subsequent year's winter (roughly 18 months later).

Cyclamen persicum, the florist's cyclamen, is usually grown in pots indoors. It goes dormant for the summer, but with proper care, it will regrow and rebloom in the fall. Exactly when cyclamen goes fully dormant depends on its growing conditions. Warm temperatures propel it to dormancy, but if you keep your home cool your plant might not appear to go fully dormant. Instead, it might just lose some leaves and not look its best or bloom for a couple of months.

Give cyclamen bright, indirect light in the winter when the plant is actively growing. In the summer, when the plant is dormant, it's best to keep cyclamen in a cool, dark spot with good air circulation.

When leaves are present, the plant is actively growing. During this period, water whenever the soil feels dry about an inch below its surface. Avoid getting water on the leaves or crown or of the plant where the stem meets the roots), which can cause it to rot.3 While the plant is dormant (losing most or all of its leaves), water infrequently only to prevent the soil from entirely drying out.

A common way to water cyclamen is to put the pot on a tray, then water the tray so the roots take up the moisture.

Cyclamen plants don't like extreme heat, drafts, or dry air. They do best in a climate that replicates their native environment, preferring temperatures between 40°F and 50°F at night and between 60°F and 70°F during the day. Especially during the winter, is crucial. To raise the humidity, keep your plant on a tray filled with water and pebbles, making sure the pot isn't continuously touching the water (as this can cause root rot).

If you moved your plant outdoors for the summer, bring it back indoors before the weather turns cold. A good rule of thumb is to bring it inside while the temperature is still comfortable for you and you can keep your windows open without feeling chilled indoors.

Correct watering is critical during this time, as the roots are highly sensitive to moisture and can easily develop rot. Wait for the leaves to begin to droop and the potting mix is dry to the touch before watering again.

Spring Care

As winter gives way to spring, potted cyclamen cyclamen stop flowering and naturally enter a semi-dormant stage. At this time they should be moved into a cool, shady location. Stop watering and allow the soil to dry out. Avoid the temptation to water during this time, as the roots will likely develop rot.

Spring into Summer

Your cyclamen's leaves will start to turn yellow, dry out and fall off after you stop watering it in spring. The plant should remain dormant through summer. It can be placed outside as long as it is shaded from sunlight and kept sheltered from rain.

Summer through Fall

As summer gives way to fall, cyclamen can be moved into a spot with bright indirect light and nursed with gentle watering until new green growth begins to develop.