412 saves

Cyclamen

We track 20 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.

20 varieties3 speciesZones 4–10Shade friendly

The 19 most-saved Cyclamen varieties

Browse all 20 Cyclamen varieties →

3 species of Cyclamen

Each one is a parent of the varieties above.

Track your Cyclamen in Sow

Save the Cyclamen you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.

How to grow Cyclamen

Whats common across all Cyclamen varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 20 most-grown of them.

The Cyclamen year

  • PlantJuly–September100% of varieties

    Plant corms shallowly (just below soil surface) during summer dormancy

  • FertilizeSeptember and October95% of varieties

    Apply low-nitrogen fertilizer as new foliage and flowers emerge

  • MulchOctober70% of varieties

    Apply a light layer of leaf mold or shredded bark.

  • Spring CleanupApril and May50% of varieties

    Allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally before removing

Do

  • Mulch to conserve moisture
  • Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
  • Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring
  • Provide shade during hottest months
  • Water regularly during active growth 🌱

Avoid

  • Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch leaves ❌
  • Avoid heavy, clay soils that retain excess water
  • Avoid overwatering during dormancy ❌
  • Avoid direct sunlight ❌

What goes wrong with Cyclamen

ProblemWhat you'll seeWhat to do
AphidsSticky residue and curled leavesApply insecticidal soap or neem oil
MealybugsWhite cottony masses on stemsUse neem oil spray
Spider mitesWebbing on leaves, yellowingSpray with water and apply insecticidal soap
Fungal rotSoft, rotting tubersImprove soil drainage and reduce watering
Root rotWilting, browning rootsImprove drainage, reduce watering, and remove affected roots
Botrytis blightGray mold on leaves and flowersEnsure good air circulation and remove infected parts
Gray moldFuzzy gray mold on leaves and stemsImprove air circulation and apply fungicide

Making more Cyclamen

Seed sowing

  1. Tuck seeds into moist soil in late summer
  2. Keep soil consistently moist for 6 weeks
  3. Place in shaded area with indirect light

Division

  1. Dig up mature clumps in early spring.
  2. Gently separate offsets with roots intact.
  3. Plant divisions in prepared soil at same depth.
  4. Water thoroughly after planting.

Cyclamen questions

How many types of Cyclamen are there?

The Sow catalog tracks 20 distinct Cyclamen varieties. The most popular — ranked by 412 real gardeners — are shown first above.

What zones does Cyclamen grow in?

Across its varieties, Cyclamen covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.

When does Cyclamen bloom?

Most Cyclamen varieties bloom in early fall, late summer to fall, late winter to early spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.

Which Cyclamen should I choose?

Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.

Keep exploring