Vibrant ballerina-like flowers and intriguing foliage make cyclamen a popular choice among avid gardeners and homeowners. This tuberous perennial can be grown indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in rockeries and woodland gardens. Plants begin actively growing in fall, going dormant during warm summer months.
Cyclamen is a cool weather perennial grown from a flat disc-like bulb, which is also referred to as a tuber.
Upright mounding or spreading habit, 2 to 16 inches tall and 4 to 16 inches wide
Lightly scented cyclamen flowers have five upswept curved petals in colors of white, pink, purple, salmon, red or bicolors. Blooms are borne singularly on slender flower stems that rise above compact clumps of foliage.
Heart-shaped, ivy-shaped, triangular, or rounded leaves come in shades of green, silver, or white in solid colors or patterns. Leaf undersides can be green or purple.
Cyclamen contains toxic saponins, which are present in the entire plant but more concentrated in the bulbs, and can cause mild to severe symptoms.
Cyclamen are charming flowering plants that make a gorgeous addition to any home or garden With their vibrant colors and unique shapes, it’s no wonder cyclamen pictures are so popular online. In this article, we’ll look at some beautiful pictures of cyclamen plants and discuss how to grow these delightful flowers yourself.
An Overview of Cyclamen
Cyclamen are tuberous perennials, meaning they grow from a bulb-like structure called a tuber. There are around 20 different cyclamen species, but some of the most popular include:
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Cyclamen persicum – The florist’s cyclamen often sold as a houseplant. It has large showy blooms in shades of white pink red, or purple.
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Cyclamen hederifolium – Also called ivy-leaved cyclamen. It has delicate pink flowers and ivy-shaped leaves.
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Cyclamen coum – Known as Eastern cyclamen. It has petite pink or purple blooms and blooms in winter.
Most cyclamen bloom during the cooler months, going dormant in summer. The blooms rise above a mound of attractive foliage in heart, ivy, or round shapes. Cyclamen look beautiful in rock gardens, woodland settings, containers, and as houseplants.
Beautiful Cyclamen Flower Pictures
Here are some stunning pictures of cyclamen flowers:
The vibrant pinks and reds of these cyclamen blooms are simply striking. Cyclamen flowers come in a diverse range of hues from pure white to deep purple, but these rich pinks and reds are especially eye-catching.
The delicate swept-back form of cyclamen flowers is on full display in this closeup image. The soft pink color is very subtle and feminine.
The bicolor purple and white pattern on these blooms is quite striking. This type of color variegation occurs naturally in some cyclamen species and cultivated varieties.
Pictures of Cyclamen Foliage and Plants
Of course, cyclamen are prized not only for their flowers but also for their beautiful and varied foliage:
Many cyclamen feature stunning silver, green, or variegated foliage like that seen here. The foliage provides great contrast to the brightly colored blooms.
This is a classic look for cyclamen – a single plant thriving in a pot with flowers and foliage on full display. Cyclamen make fantastic potted plants for indoor enjoyment.
Hardy cyclamen species thrive in outdoor garden settings, especially woodland gardens where they grow naturally beneath trees. The flowers and foliage combine to create a magical effect.
Growing Cyclamen Yourself
If these photos have inspired you to grow cyclamen yourself, here are a few key tips:
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For indoor potted cyclamen, provide bright indirect light and cooler temperatures between 50-70°F.
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Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out some between waterings. Overwatering can cause bulb rot.
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Cease watering when plants go dormant. For houseplants, avoid splashing the leaves or crown to prevent rot.
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Provide amended, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Plants can tolerate a variety of soil conditions as long as there is good drainage.
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Deadhead spent flowers to encourage rebloom, and remove dead or damaged foliage as needed.
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Clean up any leaf debris once plants go dormant. Store dormant bulbs in a cool, dark place. Lightly water or mist if needed to prevent bulbs from becoming too dry.
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Resume watering in late summer or early fall and begin fertilizing when new growth appears. Move plants into bright indirect light. Outdoor hardy varieties need no special care.
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Potted cyclamen can be treated as annuals or regrown the following season. Repot every two years during summer when plants are dormant. Use fresh potting soil and a slightly larger pot than the previous one. Place the bulb so the top is sticking slightly out of the soil.
With proper care, cyclamen are sure to reward you with their captivating flowers and foliage. Keep these stunning cyclamen pictures in mind as motivation for growing your own!
Are cyclamen deer resistant?
Cyclamen is considered deer-resistant, though may be susceptible to deer browsing if other food sources are scarce.
Photo by: Anna Kepa / Shutterstock
Indoor plants can be purchased in fall or winter. Plant tubers outdoors in late summer or early fall.
Place indoor potted plants in a window that receives bright indirect light. Plant outdoor bulbs in a site with well-draining soil that receives part to full shade.
Hardy cyclamen looks best when bulbs are grouped together. Loosen soil in planting area and amend with compost or decomposed leaf clippings. Place bulbs so the top is just below the soil surface and space 6 inches apart.
Planting cyclamen in pots:
Make sure pots have adequate drainage holes. Use a high quality all-purpose potting soil. Bulbs can be planted individually in smaller pots or grouped together in a larger container.
Cyclamen Varieties & How to Properly Care for Them | The Greenery Garden & Home
FAQ
How long do potted cyclamen last?
Cyclamen are pretty easy and reliable plants indoors, and if you keep them cool (out of direct sunlight and away from radiators), they look good for about eight weeks. Too much heat in a sunny window will encourage early dormancy, while growing in light, but cool conditions may see them continue to flower into April.
Do cyclamen like sun or shade?
Caring for Your Outdoor Cyclamen
Outdoor cyclamen like shade to partially shady spots in the garden.
Do cyclamen come back every year?
Yes, cyclamen are generally considered perennials and will come back year after year with proper care, especially if they are hardy varieties.
Where is the best place to put a cyclamen?
Cyclamen are best planted in drifts for maximum impact. They thrive around the base of mature shrubs and trees, but they also are happy along north facing walls, in stone troughs and in the rock garden.