Expert Advice & Tips When Growing Cyclamen in Pots

The Cyclamen flowering plant has sweet-scented blooms, and these kinds of flowers are perennial plants in the UK. These tuberous plants are tender, low-maintenance, and versatile. The Cyclamen’s wide range of varieties will brighten up your garden all year round. The Cyclamen plants are popular choices for gardeners in the UK. Cyclamen flowers complement early-flowering woodland plants like snowdrops, primroses, ferns, and winter aconites. The Cyclamen blooms come in shades of red, purple, pink, and white.

With the right tools, you can grow Cyclamen in pots or build entire garden beds from plants or seeds. They can even be grown indoors or outdoors, so beginner gardeners can plant them too.

In this article, you will learn how to grow cyclamens in containers or pots, what kind of soil it needs, how much to water it, and which problems or pests to look out for so that your cyclamen plants thrive.

About The Cyclamen Plant

Cyclamen is the name of 23 species of perennial flowering plants that are part of the family Primulaceae. These plants are native to Europe, with some species from eastern Africa and Iran. The flowering time is mostly autumn and winter, while they can grow in most soil types.

Brief Overview of Cyclamen

Scientific Name — Cyclamen
Plant Type — Perennial
Hardiness — H1C – H4
Sunlight — Mostly partial shade
Height — 15 cm
Spread — 15 cm

Can You Plant Cyclamen in Pots?

Yes, cyclamen flowers can be grown in pots or containers or planted in garden beds and the ground. You can grow them from bulbs or seeds. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. When to Plant Cyclamen

Plant the Cyclamen in early spring, autumn, or winter (if possible) to have the best productivity. Also, it has been noted that the rate of growth also increases around this time.

2. Choosing a Pot to Plant Cyclamen

It should be free-draining when looking at pots or containers for cyclamen plants; otherwise, it will get waterlogged. The container’s size depends on the plant size; in the container or pot, you should have around 2 cm of the growing medium around the plant placed inside the pot.

3. Observing Soil for Cyclamen

The growing medium should be fertile, free-draining, and organic material rich. A peat-free multipurpose compost, leaf mould, and horticultural grit should be used together for optimal growth.

4. Planting Cyclamen in a Pot

Plant the hardy tubers around 3-5 cm deep when placing the Cyclamen in pots. For the tender tubers, plant the top of the corm above the soil surface. Also, add some horticultural grit over the growing medium after planting the Cyclamen.

5. How Many Plants Per Pot?

Keeping in mind the eventual size of the Cyclamen you planted, one Cyclamen can be put in a smaller pot, or if you want to grow more than one, then use a slightly bigger container. You can also plant Cyclamen with other plants with similar needs.

6. How Much to Water Potted Cyclamen

When the growing medium is dry, you should water the indoor-grown Cyclamen in pots; water from below and always let the excess water drain away. The outdoor pots should be watered sparely during dry weather, but natural rainfall is usually enough.

7. Where to Put Potted Cyclamen

Indoors, cyclamens should be in indirect light between 10 – 15°C during winter. During the summer, put the pots outside or in a cool spot for the dormant period; they will be brought inside when new growth happens in September. Hardy Cyclamen can be placed outside all year round in partial shade.

8. Pruning the Cyclamen

You must prune all dead plant parts so that the plant can focus on resting instead of wasting resources on dead matter.

Common Problems or Pests to Watch Out for in Cyclamen Plants

Look out for any common problems you may encounter with your cyclamen plants. For instance, if there are barely any flowers or no flowers at all. If the Cyclamen is not flowering or poor flowering, it could be due to high temperatures, making the plant dormant. Or the plant might not be mature enough to bloom.

Grey fuzzy colour on stems or leaves: The grey fuzziness is a sign of a fungal infection, and you must immediately remove any infected parts to stop the spread. There must be proper drainage and no overwatering. Yellowing of the leaves: Sometimes, yellow leaves are the sign of leaves dying naturally. Hardy Cyclamen die in autumn, and the tender ones become dormant in the spring. If it is not the right time, then it might be due to too much or too little water and not the right temperature.

Wilted or collapsed plants: This problem occurs due to overwatering or waterlogging. There must be proper drainage for the plant to prosper. It could also be due to pest problems or cold temperatures.

Cyclamen mites: You must remove these mites as soon as possible since they can damage all plant parts. Make sure to use a fertiliser which does not have high nitrogen or potassium. These mites occur when planting is done in the wrong environment.

Overwintering the Cyclamen

Since cyclamen plants can be grown outside and inside, you need to know which cyclamen type you are growing so that you can give the proper care in winter. Here are basic instructions for winter care:

The hardy cyclamens growing in your garden must be in a free-draining spot so that waterlogging does not happen.
In winter, you must mulch around the hardy cyclamen with an insulating organic material layer.
The tender cyclamen must be kept indoors from September until the leaves naturally die in the spring.
Water the plant when the medium is dry, feed it every couple of months, and remove the dead flowers and leaves; your tender cyclamen will look good as a houseplant in your beautiful home.

Tools Needed to Grow Cyclamen

Since you have decided to plant cyclamen flowers, let’s get started on what you need.

1. Cyclamen Seeds

You can grow Cyclamen from seeds with ease.

2. Pots or Containers for Cyclamen

Planting Cyclamen in pots can be easily done by anybody.

3. Compost for Cyclamen

A good compost is the way to go for optimal growth of your Cyclamen.

4. Gardening Tools

For a good garden, you will need gardening tools.

Growing Cyclamen in Pots and Containers

Cyclamen are known as hardy plants, and they bloom through the winter months. There are so many varieties of Cyclamen that your garden can fully bloom throughout the year. These perennial flowers are perfect for gardeners in the UK; the hardy types grow well outdoors, and the tender ones grow indoors as houseplants in the winter. You plant Cyclamen in pots, containers, or ground, depending on the variety you pick. You can even grow them from seeds or saplings. Whichever type you prefer, you can plant that type of Cyclamen. Make sure to see which style will suit your garden.

Cyclamen plants need a good drainage pot and fertile soil. One cyclamen plant can be planted in a pot, but multiple cyclamens can be planted in the same container if there is enough space.

Either way, you will watch your cyclamen plants rebloom year after year. In the comments below, write down your thoughts or experiences about growing cyclamens and the lessons you learned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Cyclamen Grow Indoors or Outdoors?

Cyclamen make great plants for your blooming garden and inside your home as well. You can grow cyclamen plants indoors and outdoors. The hardy cyclamen are grown outdoors, and the tender cyclamen grows indoors as houseplants. This way, you do not have to choose; you can have cyclamen indoors and outdoors. Just make sure to pick the right variety.

Can Different Varieties of Cyclamen Be Planted Together?

Since different cyclamen varieties flower at different times, you should not mix the varieties in the same spot. You might think that alternating flowering seasons will give blooming flowers all year round, but usually, one variety dominates and kill off the other varieties. Keeping about a metre between the different varieties is your solution.

Why Do Cyclamen Plants Need Pruning?

Pruning ensures that all dead plant matter is removed in the down season. This step helps the underground tubers of the cyclamen plant recover for the next blooming and does not waste any energy on supporting all the dying parts.

What Are Some of The Cyclamen Varieties?

The cyclamen genus has 23 varieties. Some of them include: C. alpinum, C. balearicum, C. creticum, C. libanoticum, C. cilicium, C. purpurascens, C. intaminatum, C. persicum, and much more. You need to know the answers to some questions: which species will grow in your area? Are the cyclamen hardy or tender? How much frost your area gets? Can you get them as seeds or young plants? Do you want to grow them indoors or outdoors? Once you have all the information, you can plant cyclamens in your garden.