Caring For Cyclamen In Australia: A Comprehensive Guide

Cyclamen is a delicate indoor plant that adds colour to homes during winter. Despite their reputation for being difficult to care for, cyclamens are tough plants that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. In this guide, we will explore the basics of cyclamen care, including watering, feeding, and the ideal growing conditions for these vibrant flowers. With the right care, you can keep your cyclamen healthy and flowering for longer.

Cyclamen like cool, bright spots with good air circulation and no direct sunlight

Cyclamens thrive in cool, bright spots with good air circulation and no direct sunlight. They are usually grown as indoor plants, but they can also do well in gardens, given the right conditions. When grown outdoors, cyclamens prefer cool, shaded spots with dappled shade in the warmer months and moderate sunlight at other times.

If you're growing your cyclamen indoors, it's a good idea to put it outside at night so it can soak up the cool night air, which will keep it healthier and flowering for longer. Place your indoor cyclamen in a bright position, away from direct sunlight and heaters. If your cyclamen is kept in a heated room, place the pot outside each night to allow the plant to cool down.

When grown outdoors, cyclamens should be planted in a bright position, avoiding direct sunlight. The soil should be rich and fertile, so work in some compost or manure before planting. The soil must also drain well, or the tuber will rot.

Cyclamens are not fussy plants, but they do require some basic care and maintenance. They grow from swollen tubers and are usually purchased as established plants or sometimes as seedlings. They thrive in cooler temperatures, with their growing period being autumn to spring. Over summer, they die down and go dormant to avoid hot, dry weather.

Water regularly, but avoid wetting the corm as this may cause rot

Watering your cyclamen is an important part of its care. You should water your cyclamen regularly, but it is crucial to avoid wetting the corm as this can cause rot. This is because the corm is susceptible to rot, and too much moisture can lead to its decay.

When watering your cyclamen, there are a few methods you can use to ensure you are providing adequate hydration without risking the health of the corm. One approach is to use a long-spouted watering can to water the potting mix, being careful to avoid getting the corm wet. Another technique is to water your cyclamen from the base by filling a saucer with water and allowing the plant to absorb moisture from the bottom. After an hour or so, remove the saucer to prevent the roots from constantly sitting in water, as this can also contribute to rot.

If you notice that the leaves of your cyclamen are wilting or drooping, it may be a sign of underwatering. In this case, you can water the plant, ensuring that you are still careful not to wet the corm. However, if the leaves are yellowing, this could indicate overwatering, and you should adjust by reducing the frequency of your watering.

During the growing season, it is essential to provide reliable moisture to your cyclamen, especially as leaves and flowers form. However, as the plant starts to wind down for dormancy, reduce the amount of water you give it. When the cyclamen is dormant, stop watering the corm completely, and only resume watering in late summer when you notice signs of new growth.

Reduce watering as the plant starts to wind down for winter dormancy

As the flowering and growth of your cyclamen wind down during winter, the plant will start to go dormant. It is important to reduce watering as the plant enters this dormancy phase. In fact, some sources suggest stopping watering the corm completely while it is dormant. This is because cyclamens are prone to rot if overwatered, so it is important to avoid getting the corm wet. You can tell if you are overwatering your cyclamen if the leaves start to yellow.

During dormancy, place your potted cyclamen in a shady part of the garden or indoors, depending on the variety. If you are keeping your cyclamen plant in a pot, choose a bright position, avoiding direct sunlight, and follow the same watering regime as for indoor plants. If you are keeping your plant outdoors, choose a cool, sheltered location with dappled shade in the warmer months but moderate sunlight at other times.

In late summer, you can begin to water the corm again and watch for signs of new leaves appearing. Begin to water regularly as the corm regrows. You may also need to repot your cyclamen at this stage. Move your plant into a bright spot, but do not place it in direct sunlight.

Liquid feed with a fertiliser when the plant comes out of dormancy

Cyclamens are herbaceous plants that develop a tuber or corm, from which a new plant will sprout each year. They are native to the Mediterranean and have a reputation for being difficult to look after. However, if you get the basics right, they are actually very tough plants. As indoor potted plants, they prefer a cool, brightly lit area with a couple of hours of sun and good air circulation. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight or near heaters, and do not overwater them.

When it comes to liquid feeding your cyclamen, it is important to do so when the plant comes out of dormancy. Cyclamens typically go dormant during the summer months to avoid hot, dry weather. They will start to come out of dormancy in late summer or early autumn, and this is the time to begin liquid feeding. Use a liquid fertiliser such as PowerFeed PRO SERIES for Roses & Flowers, or an organically fortified product. You can also use a combination of OCP eco-seaweed and OCP eco-aminogro to provide months of flowers and maintain strong, healthy plants.

Liquid feed your cyclamen at the recommended rates until flowering finishes, usually in late spring. As the leaves start to yellow, reduce watering and then water very sparingly while the plant is dormant. Remove flowers as they finish and trim off any yellowing leaves. You can also lightly fertilise the plant until the foliage begins to die off. Then, place the pot in a shady part of the garden or indoors, depending on the variety, and keep it dry during the dormant period.

In late summer or early autumn, the cyclamen will begin to re-sprout. At this point, you can start to water the corm regularly and move the plant into a bright spot. Soon, the plant will produce new leaves and initiate flowers. If your cyclamen fails to regrow, it may be time to buy a new one.

Remove yellow leaves and spent flowers by pinching and twisting gently

When your cyclamen has finished flowering, it's important to remove yellow leaves and spent flowers. This will help keep your plant healthy and encourage new growth. To do this, gently pinch and twist the stem to remove it without damaging the core.

Yellow leaves on your cyclamen can indicate overwatering or exposure to hot conditions. Cyclamen thrive in cooler temperatures, so ensure your plant is in a bright, cool spot away from direct sunlight and heaters. If kept in a heated room, place the pot outside each night to allow the plant to cool down.

When removing the yellow leaves, be careful not to damage the corm (a bulb-like structure from which the leaves and flowers emerge). While watering, avoid wetting the corm as this may lead to rot. Instead, water the potting mix or allow the plant to absorb water from the base and then drain it.

As your cyclamen winds down and heads into dormancy, reduce watering. Stop watering the corm completely during its dormant period, which is usually during summer. In late summer, you can start watering the corm again and watch for signs of new leaves.

By removing the yellow leaves and spent flowers, you will help your cyclamen stay healthy and encourage new growth. This simple step is an important part of caring for your plant and enjoying its vibrant colours and intoxicating perfume.

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