Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is a houseplant worth getting to know properly, and this guide covers exactly how to keep it healthy: light, water, soil, humidity, temperature, feeding, repotting, propagation and the problems that show up when something is off. The care numbers below come from the plant data used for this guide.
Cyclamen is a tuberous plant with upswept, butterfly-like flowers held above marbled foliage, with heart-shaped leaves patterned in silver and green, growing from a round tuber. A winter-flowering star - the swept-back petals look like butterflies hovering over silver-marbled leaves, and the plant naturally rests in summer after flowering. Once you understand what it wants - and, just as importantly, what it does not want - it is a straightforward plant to keep looking good for years.
Cyclamen at a glance
| Care factor | What this plant needs |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Cyclamen persicum |
| Light | bright indirect |
| Water | weekly; keep soil lightly moist |
| Humidity | moderate to high |
| Temperature | 65–80°F (18–27°C) |
| Repotting | every 1–2 years |
| Pet safety | toxic to cats and dogs |
Light
Give your cyclamen bright indirect light. A spot near an east- or west-facing window is usually ideal - bright enough to encourage flowers, gentle enough not to scorch the leaves. Harsh midday sun through a south-facing window can burn the foliage, while too little light gives plenty of leaves and no flowers at all. If the plant stops flowering, light is the first thing to check. Our grow-light calculator can work out how many hours your plant needs.
Watering
Water weekly; keep soil lightly moist. Check the soil with a finger before you water: if the top is still damp, wait; if it is dry, water thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes, then let the excess drain away completely and empty the saucer. Never let the plant sit in standing water. Water less in winter, when growth slows, and more in summer, when the plant is actively growing and flowering. Our watering calculator can help you work out a starting routine for your pot size, and the watering schedule generator can turn it into a plan you can follow.
Humidity and temperature
Cyclamen prefers moderate to high humidity and temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) - and, unusually for a houseplant, it likes things on the cool side. A cool room is a happy cyclamen room, and warm, dry air from radiators is one of the fastest ways to shorten its flowering. Keep it away from radiators and heating vents, and give it the coolest bright spot you have. A pebble tray under the pot or grouping plants together helps with humidity; misting does very little, and water sitting on the leaves can mark them. Our humidity and temperature checker can tell you whether your room suits this plant.
Soil and potting
Use a light, free-draining mix in a shallow pot, with the top of the tuber just at the surface. A pot with drainage holes is not optional - without one, water has nowhere to go and root rot follows. Fresh mix every year or two keeps the soil from compacting and gives the roots air as well as water. Our potting-mix calculator can work out the parts for a homemade mix for your pot size.
Repotting
Repot every 1–2 years, in late summer when the tuber is dormant and just starting to show new growth. Use a shallow pot with the top of the tuber just at the surface of the mix - burying it too deep invites rot. Move up only one pot size. Our repotting calculator can help you work out the next pot size and how much fresh mix you will need.
Feeding
Feed during the growing season, in spring and summer, with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half strength, and do not feed in autumn and winter when the plant is barely growing. Flowering plants use more nutrients than foliage plants, so regular light feeding through the growing season supports more blooms - but always follow the label, because excess salts burn the roots and show up as brown leaf tips.
Propagation
Cyclamen is propagated by division of the tuber. Cyclamen is usually grown from seed or bought as a plant - dividing the tuber is possible but slow and risky, and most growers simply enjoy the plant and replace it when it fades. If you do divide, do it in late summer when the tuber is dormant, keeping a growing point on each piece.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Brown leaf tips | low humidity | Raise the humidity and flush the soil or bark with plain water to wash out fertiliser salts. Damaged tips will not heal, but new growth should come out clean. |
| No blooms | too little light or plant resting | Move the plant to brighter light and check that it is getting its rest period - a plant that never rests, or never gets enough light, will grow leaves and skip flowering. |
| Bud drop | drafts or watering changes | Keep the plant away from draughts and heating vents, and keep watering steady while buds are forming. Buds drop when conditions change suddenly, so avoid moving the plant once buds appear. |
Brown leaf tips
Likely cause: low humidity. Raise the humidity and flush the soil or bark with plain water to wash out fertiliser salts. Damaged tips will not heal, but new growth should come out clean.
No blooms
Likely cause: too little light or plant resting. Move the plant to brighter light and check that it is getting its rest period - a plant that never rests, or never gets enough light, will grow leaves and skip flowering.
Bud drop
Likely cause: drafts or watering changes. Keep the plant away from draughts and heating vents, and keep watering steady while buds are forming. Buds drop when conditions change suddenly, so avoid moving the plant once buds appear.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water cyclamen?
Water weekly; keep soil lightly moist. Always check the soil with a finger first rather than watering on a fixed day, because the interval changes with the season and pot size. Water thoroughly when it is time and let the excess drain away completely.
How much light does cyclamen need?
It needs bright indirect light. A spot near an east- or west-facing window usually suits it well. Too little light gives weak, stretched growth, while harsh midday sun can scorch the leaves.
Is cyclamen safe for cats and dogs?
According to the data used for this guide, cyclamen is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep the plant out of reach of curious pets, and contact a vet if your pet has eaten any of it.
When should I repot cyclamen?
Repot every 1–2 years, or sooner if roots are circling out of the drainage holes. Move up only one pot size, use fresh mix, and repot in spring.
Why is my cyclamen not flowering?
It flowers through autumn and winter, with swept-back petals in pink, red, white or purple. When flowering ends, the leaves yellow and the plant goes dormant - that is normal, not a failure. The most common reason for no flowers is too little light - move the plant to a brighter spot and give it time.
Related guides
Browse the full houseplants hub for more species care guides, and try the tools hub for calculators that help with watering, light and repotting.