Cyclamen Blooms in Winter: A Hidden Gem Worth Celebrating
If you're thinking of holiday flowers that come to mind are poinsettias, amaryllis, and paperwhites, there's another underused seasonal plant worth mentioning – cyclamen.
There are roughly two dozen species of perennial plants with unique foliage shapes ranging from rounded leaves to heart- or kidney-shaped ones. However, their flowers are where they truly shine. Available in white and various shades of pink, red, and purple, these houseplants boast unusual upside-down blooms with delicate, backward-curved petals that only bloom during the winter months.
To keep cyclamen happy, place them in a spot that receives soft or indirect light, such as east- or north-facing windows. These plants are also sensitive to heat, thriving best at temperatures around 60 degrees. Adding a humid microclimate is another key – growing them in a bathroom or using a pebble tray with water can create the perfect environment.
Watering cyclamen requires a delicate touch. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering causes drooping leaves. To avoid this, water through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot, placing it in shallow water until the soil is lightly saturated before removing the pot from the bowl.
During their growing phase, provide a monthly dose of balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength. However, once the plant's leaves turn yellow – signaling dormancy – stop watering and fertilizing immediately. Move the plant to a cool, dark room to help it during this phase.
Although cyclamen appear dead during summer, they'll show signs of new life in the fall. When you spot new growth, cover up the top of the tuber with potting mix, move the plant back into bright, indirect light, and resume watering and fertilizing for another round of cheerful holiday blooms.
Cyclamen is often overlooked when it comes to seasonal flowers, but its unique appearance makes it a true gem worth celebrating.
If you're thinking of holiday flowers that come to mind are poinsettias, amaryllis, and paperwhites, there's another underused seasonal plant worth mentioning – cyclamen.
There are roughly two dozen species of perennial plants with unique foliage shapes ranging from rounded leaves to heart- or kidney-shaped ones. However, their flowers are where they truly shine. Available in white and various shades of pink, red, and purple, these houseplants boast unusual upside-down blooms with delicate, backward-curved petals that only bloom during the winter months.
To keep cyclamen happy, place them in a spot that receives soft or indirect light, such as east- or north-facing windows. These plants are also sensitive to heat, thriving best at temperatures around 60 degrees. Adding a humid microclimate is another key – growing them in a bathroom or using a pebble tray with water can create the perfect environment.
Watering cyclamen requires a delicate touch. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering causes drooping leaves. To avoid this, water through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot, placing it in shallow water until the soil is lightly saturated before removing the pot from the bowl.
During their growing phase, provide a monthly dose of balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength. However, once the plant's leaves turn yellow – signaling dormancy – stop watering and fertilizing immediately. Move the plant to a cool, dark room to help it during this phase.
Although cyclamen appear dead during summer, they'll show signs of new life in the fall. When you spot new growth, cover up the top of the tuber with potting mix, move the plant back into bright, indirect light, and resume watering and fertilizing for another round of cheerful holiday blooms.
Cyclamen is often overlooked when it comes to seasonal flowers, but its unique appearance makes it a true gem worth celebrating.
cyclamen is literally my winter fave 
i love how they bloom in the cold weather, it's like nature's own little surprise! and their leaves are so unique too 
i've had mine for ages now and still get excited every time i see those gorgeous flowers pop out 
the thing that gets me is that people always forget about them after christmas 
they deserve way more love than just a quick holiday glance 
I think cyclamen is so underrated! I mean, who needs all those showy poinsettias and amaryllis when you can have something as beautiful and delicate as cyclamen? The way their petals curve back is just insane 
And the fact that they only bloom in winter makes it like a little secret gift to ourselves during the coldest time of the year 
. I'm definitely gonna try growing one now, thanks for the tips! 
... I mean, they're so pretty! I've always liked their upside-down petals, and now that you mention it, I think they'd be super cute as a holiday plant 
... also, I thought they just died in summer? So, what's with the whole dormancy thing? Does it really help or is that just a thing plants do? 
. They're like the secret ingredient in your favorite recipe that nobody knew about! The way they bloom upside down and have these gorgeous, backward-curved petals is just magic 
. And can you believe they come in all sorts of colors like white, pink, red, and purple? It's like Mother Nature decided to create a whole new world of beauty during the winter months 
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. But if you stick to soft or indirect light, east- or north-facing windows are perfect for them.
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I never knew there was such a cool plant out there, cyclamen sounds like the perfect low-maintenance houseplant for winter decor 
. Soft indirect light and a humid microclimate are a must, but I'm also curious about why they're so sensitive to heat... can't we just keep our homes cozy at all times? 
It's all about creating the right conditions, though - soft light, humid air, and gentle watering. For me, it's like giving your home a cozy hug 
... anyway, now I wanna get one ASAP and show everyone how amazing they really are 
!
she had this one white one with pink edges that was literally the prettiest thing i've ever seen... and now they're like, super trendy again 
i mean, who would've thought a plant from eurasia could be so underrated? but yeah, i'm all about those cyclamen blooms - they're like little winter miracles 
... people need to give these plants more love! they're not just limited to indoor decor, either - cyclamen can thrive in outdoor gardens too 
just make sure to provide them with the right conditions and it'll reward you with those gorgeous blooms.
, i mean who needs poinsettias when you have upside down flowers that are literally like little heart-shaped miracles 
. But I'm onto them, folks... I know what's really going on here 
The fact that they're super low-maintenance and only need a humid microclimate to thrive is just another reason why I'm obsessed! 
Watering them is an art form – too much water and it's dead, not enough and it's droopy... but when you get it right, it's like magic! 
I mean, who needs poinsettias when you can have cyclamen, right? 
. anyway, gotta say, caring for them can be a bit finicky, but trust me, it's worth the extra effort 
. i mean, who doesn't love a good challenge right? 
. I've had mine for years and it's amazing how much joy it brings when it starts blooming in winter 
60 degrees is like super chill btw what's the deal with all these plants having different leaves shapes though