Cyclamen is a popular blooming plant with a distinct appearance. It's well known for having a unique care routine that differs from standard houseplants. The following is a guide to caring for your mini Cyclamen all year round.
Water your Cyclamen from the bottom
It's important to water your Cyclamen from the bottom rather than the top.
You shouldn't let the plant leaves or flowers get wet, as Cyclamen is sensitive to moisture outside of the root system.
Allow your Cyclamen to dry out between watering sessions
Allow the top of the soil to become dry before watering your Cyclamen plant again.
Mini Cyclamen plants do not require excessive watering, as they are sensitive to moisture. It's best to let them dry out in between watering sessions in order to get the best growth results.
Keep it away from heat sources and any drafts
Cyclamen plants are averse to heat, and placing them near a heat source will disrupt their cycle and result in a plant that does not bloom properly and may not even bloom at all.
Make sure your plant is kept far away from heat sources. This can include direct sunlight, air vents where heat may come out, portable heaters, radiators, kitchens, and so on.
Like many indoor plants, Cyclamens are also sensitive to drafts – whether they are cold or hot. You must be careful to keep your Cyclamen away from drafty windows, air conditioners, vents, or anything else that might send a draft their way.
Place your Cyclamen in a cool, humid environment
Cyclamen will enjoy a temperature of around 60 °F. Keep in mind that if the temperature is too high, the leaves will yellow, and the flowers will fade.
Cyclamens Growing Season Differs From Standard Plants
Almost all indoor plants go dormant in the winter and then flower during the spring or summertime. Cyclamen plants, however, have the opposite growing routine: they bloom during the winter and then go dormant during the summertime.
For this reason, your mini Cyclamen requires special care, and you must take the time to learn this routine before you bring one into your home.
Winter
Winter is the active season for Cyclamens. Place your plant in a bright position without direct sunlight: East and North facing windows will work great.
Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer every 4 to 8 weeks as long as the plant is blooming. Once you notice the flowers fading, stop using fertilizer. Never fertilize a Cyclamen plant if it is dormant.
Spring
During the spring, your mini Cyclamen may retain some flowers, though it will likely stop actively growing. Over time, the flowers will begin to fade in color, and the plant will no longer have the same vibrancy as it did during winter. This is because the plant is preparing itself for dormancy in the hotter summer months. During this season, you can keep watering the plant, but you should not be fertilizing.
Summer
Summer is the dormant season for Cyclamens. You will see the leaves starting to turn yellow, and that's when you have to stop watering the plant – it will allow all of the leaves to die off completely. Place your mini Cyclamen in a dark location for about 2 to 3 months. During this time, do not water nor fertilize.
Autumn
Get ready to bring your Cyclamen out of dormancy: start watering the plant again, and allow it to get more light – but never direct sunlight. In this way, your plant will slowly prepare to grow and flower during the winter season. Towards the end of the autumn, depending on the state of the plant, you may want to start using a weak dose of fertilizer, You can also begin to routinely water the plant again – remember always to allow it to dry out in between each watering session.
Remember
You might mistakenly believe that you have “killed” your mini Cyclamen plant in the summer, since the leaves will fall off and the plant might appear to be dead and dry. However, this will happen just because your Cyclamen is dormant. Instead of throwing out the plant, keep it in a cool dark place and follow the right care instructions to revive it for the wintertime.
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