Cyclamens in your Garden

I have been growing Cyclamens for a few months now, and I can say that these plants are a pleasure to have for any gardener. They are relatively easy to care for and can give splendid looking flowers. Nonetheless, some consistent caring practices need to be done for the plant to keep flowering in your garden year after year. Cyclamens are perennial plants, which means that they can live for longer than two years. In this article, I will try and combine my personal experience along with research to answer the question: “How do I take care of a cyclamen plant?”

Climate

Cyclamens tend to prefer cooler, more humid climates. Temperatures that are too high, over 20 degrees Celsius during the day and 10 degrees Celsius at night, can be harmful to the plant. It is, therefore, important to protect it from direct sun and elevated temperatures.

Varieties

At this point, we must note that different varieties of Cyclamens can have different hardiness levels and might tolerate temperatures that are a little higher. If purchasing a Cyclamen from a garden nursery, for example, it might be good to check the plant’s label for care instructions or ask the garden centre’s staff for assistance. Cyclamens are a very popular plant for homeowners, and in Malta, we refer to it as “Ċiklamina”.

Watering

It is important to discuss the watering of Cyclamens because these plants can be quite vulnerable to the wrong water levels. In the ideal scenario, the Cyclamen has good drainage. In my case (refer to photos) I keep my Cyclamen without a saucer at the bottom of the container. This ensures that whilst the potting medium or soil will hold enough water, excess water will drain through the holes at the bottom of the pot. Watering should only occur when the soil feels dry, however, do not leave the plant in a state of dryness for too long as it can damage the Cyclamen. In short, water the soil fully and let any extra water drain away.

Dormancy

After a cyclamen blooms, the plant will normally enter a state of sleep, also known as dormant. At first, one might feel that the plant is dying, but this is ordinary and important to ensure the plant survives through the year and into the next one. Cyclamens that are meant to be planted in pots or gardens outdoors will normally go through this type of process naturally and will not need additional help to flower once again.

Do you have any Cyclamens in your garden? Let us know on our Facebook page or in the comments section below. Happy gardening!