Cyclamen
Cyclamen
Also comes in white, red and purple.
Cyclamen blooms from September through November.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Cyclamen
Plant it in part shade. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 5–9. Expect it to reach about 8 in tall and 8 in wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Cyclamen
Plant Cyclamen in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 5 to 9 range, spring means March to May and fall means September or October. Once settled, it blooms from September to November.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 7 in March.
Good to know about Cyclamen
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Safety
All parts are toxic to dogs, cats and horses, the tuber most of all; eating it causes drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, and large amounts can be fatal. per ASPCA
Worth knowing
The moisture it loves in fall, winter and spring turns lethal over the bare summer tuber: sharp drainage and a summer dry-down are what actually keep it alive. per NC State and Clemson
Zone range varies by source
Sources rate hardy cyclamen differently: 5a to 9b, 4a to 8b, or 5 to 7. All agree it is among the most cold-hardy; in warm zones give sharp summer drainage. per NC State and Penn State
Two plants, one name
The name covers two very different plants: hardy woodland species (C. hederifolium, C. coum) grow outdoors in shade, while tender florist C. persicum is a winter houseplant. Identify yours first. per NC State and Penn State
Grows from a tuber
It grows from a tuber, not a bulb, with roots from the shouldered top: plant it shallow, at or just below the surface, and never lift or divide it. per NC State and Penn State
Florist cyclamen indoors
Florist C. persicum is a cool houseplant: 60 to 65 F by day, near 50 F at night; above 70 F stops budding. Water from below, never over the crown. per Wisconsin and Clemson
Cyclamen mite
Cyclamen mite is a microscopic pest (under 0.3 mm) that hides in the buds and distorts new growth: leaves pucker and curl, buds fail. Discard badly infested plants. per UC IPM and Minnesota
What pairs well with Cyclamen
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Rhododendron
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late spring, before this one opens; stands well above at 5.9 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Camellia
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in midwinter, extending the bed's season; stands well above at 6.6 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Northern Sea Oats
Shares part shade and moderate water; opens in midsummer and overlaps into this one's season; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds.
Bergenia
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 1.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Summersweet
Shares part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in midsummer, before this one opens; stands well above at 5.9 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; a soft color beside the pink.
Goatsbeard
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer, before this one opens; taller at 3.9 ft, for the layer behind it; a soft color beside the pink.
Hellebore
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, extending the bed's season; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 1.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Christmas Fern
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 1.6 ft, for the layer behind it.
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