Ive had it a little over a month now, and this past week it started to develop yellow leaves that eventually became mushy, and a big crop of flowers have gone limp and wilted.
It did really well for the first few weeks – the leaves, new and old, were deep green and a bunch of new flowers bloomed. I only watered (from the bottom) when the top inch of soil was dry to the touch.
BUT, I panicked when I saw one of the older, largest flowers suddenly wilt one day. I assumed I had forgotten to water it and thoroughly doused it.
The soil never dried out. I was able to squeeze a good bit of excess water out, and after a couple of days I took the whole thing out of the pot to see if it would dry out better in the air. When it didnt, the whole thing went back in the pot (the soil retained its pot shape when I took it out, so I dont think I traumatized the plant too much) and Ive just been waiting with my fingers crossed.
More and more of the leaves are yellowing, and almost all the flowers have wilted and gone limp.
Is there hope?! Do any of you with your magical green thumbs know of any tricks?!
Incidentally, it sits about 7 or 8 feet from a bright southern exposure, not near any drafts. I havent checked the roots, as I dont know how to do it without causing trauma.
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Cyclamen are stunning flowering plants that can brighten up any indoor space during the winter months. However, these plants are notorious for suddenly drooping and wilting.
If you’ve noticed your cyclamen’s leaves and flowers drooping, don’t panic! There are several common reasons why cyclamen droop and in most cases the problem can be fixed with a few simple adjustments to care.
What Causes Cyclamen to Droop?
Here are the most frequent causes of drooping cyclamen plants
Overwatering
Cyclamen prefer moist but not soggy soil. Overwatering can cause root rot, leading to wilted, yellow leaves and drooping flowers. The stems may also turn soft and collapse.
Underwatering
While cyclamen don’t like soggy soil, allowing them to dry out too much can also cause drooping. Their leaves will wilt when the soil becomes overly dry.
Dormancy
As summer approaches, cyclamen naturally begin to die back and enter dormancy. Yellowing leaves, falling flowers, and collapsing stems are normal as the plant takes a rest period.
Temperature Extremes
Cyclamen prefer cool temperatures between 50-65°F. Excess heat or cold drafts can stress the plant, causing leaf curling and flower/stem droop.
Insufficient Humidity
Low humidity from dry indoor air or sudden humidity changes can dry out cyclamen foliage, leading to wilting and drooping.
Sunburn
Too much direct sun can scorch cyclamen leaves. Burnt, curled leaves that droop down indicates too much light intensity.
Disease
Fungal diseases like crown rot, as well as pests such as cyclamen mites, can cause cyclamen leaves, flowers, and stems to collapse and wilt.
How to Revive a Drooping Cyclamen
If your cyclamen is drooping, take these steps to revive it:
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Cut off any dead or dying flowers and leaves to encourage new growth.
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Check the roots – dark, mushy roots indicate overwatering. Repot in new, well-draining soil.
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Move to a cool location (65°F or less) with bright indirect light if the plant is exposed to heat or sunburn.
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Improve humidity around the plant by misting the leaves daily or using a pebble tray.
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Water only when the top inch of soil is dry to prevent further overwatering issues.
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Treat with neem oil if mites or fungal disease are present.
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Allow the plant to rest if it is entering dormancy, reducing water slightly.
How to Prevent Cyclamen From Drooping
With good care, you can keep your cyclamen looking healthy and vigorous all season long:
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Water only when the soil surface feels dry 1 inch deep – never let it get bone dry or stay soggy.
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Provide bright, indirect light from an east or west window. Avoid hot direct sun.
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Keep humidity around 50% by misting often and placing on a pebble tray.
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Keep away from heating vents and cold drafts. Ideal temperature is 60-68°F.
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Feed monthly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer during active growth periods.
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Check for pests like mites under leaves. Treat quickly before they spread.
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Repot annually in well-draining potting mix, keeping the corm just below the soil surface.
By following these care and troubleshooting tips, you can get a droopy cyclamen to perk back up again. With the right conditions, cyclamen can rebloom for many seasons to come, lighting up your indoor garden all winter long.
✅ Cyclamen Care Problems ❌ 5 Things You’re Doing WRONG! (Fix Them Now!)
FAQ
How to revive a droopy cyclamen?
If your cyclamen is floppy, the air in your home might be a bit too dry for the plant. Here’s a simple fix: Find a shallow tray and fill it with pebbles, then add water just below the pebble line. Place your cyclamen pot atop this setup. As the water evaporates, it’s like giving your plant a refreshing facial mist.
What does an overwatered cyclamen look like?
Yellow leaves: Overwatering and too much heat will cause the leaves of your cyclamen to yellow.
How to perk up a cyclamen?
Water your cyclamen once every week, and less frequently in Winter (roughly every ten days). It should stay moist but not wet and a good indication of when they are feeling a bit thirsty is if the flowers are looking a little droopy. They should perk up once watered if this happens.
How do you bring a cyclamen back to life?
If your cyclamen dries out completely it will wilt and collapse. To revive it, give it a steam bath. Place an upturned bowl in the sink and sit the cyclamen on it after moistening the soil. Now pour a kettle of boiling water into the bowl and let the steam rise around the plant.