Article: Cyclamen Care: Light, Watering and Summer Dormancy

Cyclamen Care: Light, Watering and Summer Dormancy

Care for a florist’s cyclamen with cool conditions, gentle light and careful watering, and understand its summer resting period.

A pink flowering cyclamen plant with green foliage — A florist’s cyclamen from the Susan Avery plant collection.

Get to know your cyclamen

Florist’s cyclamen are derived from Cyclamen persicum. They grow from a tuber that stores resources during their resting period. Cooler weather supports growth and flowering; as summer becomes warmer, the plant may become dormant.

Choose a healthy plant

Look for upright flower stems, healthy foliage and plenty of unopened buds beneath the leaves. A plant with more buds still to open gives you something to look forward to beyond the flowers already on display.

Provide bright, gentle light

Choose a cool position with bright, diffused light. Protect the leaves from strong direct sun and keep the pot away from heaters. Good airflow helps avoid a hot, stagnant setting.

Water carefully and drain well

Check the potting mix before watering. Water when the surface has dried, rather than allowing the pot to stay constantly wet. Bottom watering can help keep water away from the centre of the plant: allow the mix to take up water, then remove the pot and let excess water drain. Do not leave it standing in a filled saucer.

Feed during active growth

Use a suitable flowering-plant fertiliser according to its label. Do not increase the dose in an attempt to produce more flowers. Reduce watering as the plant enters dormancy and do not continue a flowering-season feeding routine through its rest.

After flowering

Remove spent flower stems and old leaves carefully at the base without damaging the tuber. Summer leaf loss can be part of the plant’s natural cycle. If you are unsure whether your plant is dormant or struggling, ask us before changing several aspects of its care at once.