Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

We did and are still enjoying being a bit lazy this week leading up to the new year.

The Tournament of Roses Parade route is just steps from our front door, so we have that exciting event to look forward to again this year.  I promise to share some pictures with you.

Since the 26th, I have tidied up from all the gift exchanging & replaced the Christmas floral arrangements with pots of Cyclamen.

I love the ruffly petaled blooms, heart shaped leaves & sturdy stems.

This winter bloomer is pretty hardy, but does need some special care so I thought I would share my tips on how to grow and care for Cyclamen with you.

How to Grow and Care for Cyclamen

Cyclamen are fans of cooler temperatures, so indoors near a window where the plant will get a bit of a draft & some bright sun is the perfect spot.  

Outdoors is an option too, especially if you live in a moderate climate or can protect the plant from freezing on a porch.  

The ideal conditions for a Cyclamen is around 60 degrees F in direct light or bright indirect light.

Right now I have several inside near windows and two in metal urns on the steps to my porch.  All seem very happy!

Cyclamen are actually a type of bulb called a corm (a short, thickened vertical stem).

They derive from the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. 

I am partial to white, but Cyclamen come in pink, red, magenta/purple as well.

Properly cared for an indoor Cyclamen can last about 8 weeks in continuous bloom.

I think their buds are so elegant - unfurling into beautiful blossoms.

While in bloom, keep the root ball moist and feed the plant every two weeks.

The watering method is very important to a healthy Cyclamen.  I have found watering from the bottom up makes for the healthiest plant with long lasting blooms.

To best hydrate your Cyclamen this is what I suggest: keep the Cyclamen in the plastic container it came in if that pot has drainage holes.  You can then simply slip that pot into a more decorative container.  

When it is time to water, about once a week, take the plant out of the decorative pot, put it, still in its plastic pot, on a pie plate or tray filled with an inch or so of water.  

Let the Cyclamen sit in the water for an hour.  All the while the plant will be soaking it up the water it needs.  You might be surprised how quickly & how much it soaks up!

The white variety is such a pure white, it appears to almost glow in the fading light of dusk.

Watering from above can lead to rotting of the corm.  If the corm rots the party is over. 

The heart shaped variegated leaves are so pretty ~ perfect as it blooms right thru Valentine's Day!

Remove any yellow leaves and spent flowers by clipping or pinching the stem deep inside the cluster of leaves.

When Cyclamen are done blooming I give thanks for the pretty flowers & toss the plant.  Cyclamen are so inexpensive and the chance of the cool loving corm surviving in the summer heat at my house is slim.  

That being said, you can save the corm.  After the foliage dies back, leave the plant to dry out.  Dig out the corm put it in a paper bag in a dark cool  spot.   If you remember where you put it, repot in midsummer and place in a warm place so it can establish roots before returning it to a cool 55 - 60˚ F to encourage flowering.

That is kind of a lot of work for a $4.99 plant, but might be fun to see if it would work where you live.  

For me I will live in the moment with my Cyclamen ~ enjoying the cooler months with their ruffly petals & stunning foliage.

** Kelly **

If you found my tips on how to grow and care for Cyclamen useful, you may also enjoy my tips on Decorating with House Plants .