Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is a petite flowering plant with 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. Its 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 years winter (roughly 18 months later). Cyclamen is toxic to animals and people.
Cyclamen are stunning flowering plants that can brighten up any room or garden with their colorful blooms But keeping these delicate perennials looking their best requires paying close attention to their watering needs Getting the watering frequency right is key to keeping your cyclamen healthy and flowering,
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about how often to water potted and garden cyclamen for optimal growth.
An Overview of Cyclamen
Cyclamen are a genus of around 20 species of perennial flowering plants that are native to Europe and the Mediterranean. They are popular as potted plants and garden flowers due to their beautiful blooms that come in shades of pink, red, white, and purple.
The most commonly grown variety is Cyclamen persicum, also known as florist’s cyclamen These plants produce delicate flowers that grow on long stems above heart-shaped leaves with striking silver marbling. The foliage is just as decorative as the blooms!
Cyclamen prefer cool temperatures and grow well outdoors in zones 7-9. They thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Indoors, they do best in east or north facing windows.
Proper watering is critical for cyclamen. Too much or too little water will cause the tubers to rot and the plant to wilt.
How Often to Water Potted Cyclamen
Potted cyclamen should be watered when the top inch of soil becomes dry. As a general rule, they need watering about once a week during active growth and flowering.
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Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger into the top inch of soil. Water whenever it is dry to the touch.
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The plant’s foliage will start to droop slightly when it needs water. Watch for signs of wilt as your cue to water.
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In winter, reduce watering frequency to every 10-14 days since plants are less active.
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Always water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. This ensures the whole root zone is hydrated.
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Water early in the day to allow the foliage to dry out before nighttime.
By paying close attention to soil dryness and the plant’s appearance, you can maintain an appropriate watering regimen for potted cyclamen. Adjust frequency based on season, growth rate, and indoor conditions.
How Often to Water Outdoor Cyclamen
When grown outdoors in garden beds or pots, cyclamen have the same watering needs but environmental factors come into play.
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Outdoor cyclamen require more frequent watering than indoor plants, especially in hot weather. Check soil and water every 2-3 days during heat waves.
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Container plants may need daily watering if exposed to full sun and summer heat. Monitor closely and don’t let pots dry out.
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Reduce outdoor watering frequency in fall and winter as plant enter dormancy.
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Consider moving containerized plants to a shady spot outdoors or an unheated garage in winter to reduce watering needs.
The watering needs of outdoor cyclamen can vary a lot depending on climate, season, and exposure. Check soil frequently and learn your plant’s signs of thirst to maintain ideal moisture.
Signs Your Cyclamen Needs Water
Here are some visual cues that your cyclamen is thirsty and needs a good drink:
- Drooping foliage and flowers
- Dry soil
- Lightened or yellowed foliage
- Fewer flowers
- Crispy leaf edges
Don’t wait until severe wilting or leaf crisping to water. Try to catch cyclamen before major signs of distress appear. With experience caring for cyclamen, you’ll learn when your plant needs a drink before it starts wilting.
Consequences of Overwatering or Underwatering
Maintaining the delicate balance in soil moisture is vital to cyclamen health. Too much or too little water leads to serious problems:
Underwatering: Wilting, drooping, leaf/bud drop, stunted growth
Overwatering: Foliage spots, rotting tubers, fungus gnats, root rot
To avoid these issues, monitor soil frequently and learn your plant’s water needs. It’s better to slightly underwater than overwater cyclamen.
Tips for Proper Cyclamen Watering
Follow these tips for expert cyclamen watering:
- Learn your plant’s thirst signals before major wilt sets in
- Water thoroughly until excess drains from the pot
- Always water in the morning
- Reduce watering by half in winter
- Use well-draining soil and containers
- For outdoor plants, water at soil level to keep leaves dry
- Check soil moisture frequently with seasonal/environmental changes
With practice, you’ll master the ideal watering regimen for thriving, flowering cyclamen. Pay close attention and you’ll be rewarded with colorful blooms.
Cyclamen Care
If grown outdoors, cyclamen needs well-drained soil and should be planted in an area that gets bright indirect light, but not much direct sunlight. However, Cyclamen persicum is usually cultivated for varieties that are better suited as houseplants; there are some related species, such as C. hederifolium, that are more often used when growing cyclamen in the landscape.
Cyclamen persicum, the florists 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.
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Cyclamen, especially as a houseplant, are sensitive in terms of watering. We show how to properly water the delicate cyclamen.
Cyclamen (Cyclamen) usually bloom in beautiful shades of purple and pink, which, depending on the species, brighten up the winter or bring variety to the summer and autumn. So these dainty little plants decorate the flower bed as well as the windowsill. But, unfortunately, the issue of watering the popular tuberous plants should be treated with caution. Neither too much nor too little cool water is allowed, otherwise the perennial plants will quickly become sick. We show you what you have to do to enjoy the delicate flowers of the flowering primrose plants (Primulaceae) for a long time.
A Comprehensive Guide On Cyclamen Plant Care! (6-TRICKS*)
FAQ
How much water does a cyclamen plant need?
- Frequency: Water once every 7-10 days, according to florasense.com.
- Technique: Use bottom watering (soaking the pot in water) to avoid getting water on the leaves and crown, which can cause rot.
- Signs of Thirst: Droopy flowers or leaves indicate that the plant needs water.
What does an overwatered cyclamen look like?
Signs of overwatering in cyclamen include yellowing leaves, wilting, and mushy tubers. If the leaves appear droopy or start to turn yellow and fall off, it could indicate that the plant is receiving too much water.
Do cyclamen like to be wet or dry?
Keep away from direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist but do not overwater – this is a common way to kill cyclamen.Feb 19, 2021
How long do indoor cyclamen last?
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Blooming Period:Cyclamen typically bloom in the winter months and start to decline in the spring.
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Dormancy:After flowering, they naturally enter a dormant period during the summer, where their leaves may turn yellow and wither.
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Year-Round Care:To encourage reblooming, you can snip off dead flower stalks and yellowing leaves, reduce watering, and allow the plant to dry out during its dormant period.
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Post-Dormancy:As new leaves emerge, gradually increase watering and fertilization, and move the plant to a bright, cool spot in the fall/winter.
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Long-Term Care:With proper care, including good drainage, cool temperatures, and avoiding direct sunlight, you can keep your cyclamen for years and enjoy reblooming.