Growing Cyclamen
Cyclamen are tuberous perennial plants that originate from the Mediterranean. They are surprisingly part of the Primulaceae family. Most of them are dormant during summer to escape the summer heat and will flower and come into leaf in the spring or the autumn. Grown for their early or late flowering contribution to the garden, they are also collected for their very varied and beautiful leaf patterns.
Although there are not many species of cyclamen(only 24), their habitats in the wild vary greatly which is why it is important to look at their specific needs - please see the individual descriptions for each plant. In general they prefer alkaline soils (over limestone) but their moisture requirements can vary quite a lot.
Hardy Cyclamen for the garden
The most popular species for the garden are the spring-flowering Cyclamen coum and autumn flowering Cyclamen hederifolium which will tolerate more humid conditions than many of the other species. They are very hardy and will naturalise slowly in the garden creating beautiful displays. They like the same conditions of semi-shade or shade but need well-drained fairly dry soil such as under shrubs or around trees. Don’t be tempted to grow them together, C. hederifolium is rather thuggish and tends to take over.
Other species for the garden are C. purparescens and C. colchicum which appreciate being planted in a spot that retains moisture in the summer and is in semi-shade.
Cyclamen repandum will do well in damp woodland conditions.
C. mirabile and c. pseudibericum can also be grown in well-drained areas.
Cyclamen for the garden in mild climate or for the cold greenhouse in cold climates
The following species are can be grown in the garden if you live in an area with very mild winters and if you can provide correct drainage in the winter. If not they will be best grown in a cold greenhouse.
- C. alpinum
- C. colchicum
- C. elegans
- C. graecum
- C. intaminatum
- C. libanoticum
- C. maritimum
- C. parviflorum
Cyclamen for the cold greenhouse
Most of these species will need a bit more looking after as they are quite tender and will rot if kept too wet in the winter. They can be grown in pots in similar conditions to auriculas in an alpine house or cold greenhouse where you can keep more of an eye on the watering. Many growers will keep the plants in clay pots plunged in sand which will ensure that the temperature fluctuations do not affect the plants. It is important to keep the plants fairly dry in the summer while they are dormant and water well during their growing period in the autumn and spring.
We recommend this for the following species:
- C. africanum
- C. balearicum
- C. creticum
- C. cyprium
- C. persicum
- C. rhodium
Compost: Use a well-drained potting compost with about one third grit or perlite to maximise drainage. Add some slow release fertilizer. Pot on once a year during the dormant period.
Pests and diseases
Cyclamen have similar pests and diseases to Primula. See our Pest and diseases page. Please note that one of the main problems with growing Cyclamen in pots is overwatering, especially over the summer months when they are dormant which can lead to the tubers rotting.