Complete guide to cyclamen care

Cyclamens are a beautiful and popular flowering plant. It's known for its colourful flowers, which come in shades of pink, red, white, and purple. As well as its attractive blooms, cyclamens also have attractive foliage, making it a great choice for indoor, or outdoor, winter décor.

Cyclamen care is relatively easy, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Pop your cyclamen in a shady spot, it won't need much sunshine
• Keep the soil moist and try not to let it dry out
• Regularly remove any dead or fading flowers - you should be able to pull out the whole stalk

When colourful flowering plants are few and far between after summer, our cyclamen Vinnie's sweptback flowers are a very welcome burst of colour from winter until the early spring. In the wild, you can find it growing in Northern Africa, then right across to West Asia and Southeast Europe. Because of its heart-shaped leaves, many of the cultures in these parts of the world believe the cyclamen is a symbol for a devoted heart; you might see it planted next to monasteries and Mediterranean churchyards. 

Cyclamens are a bit different to many other plants; they actually goes dormant in the summer when they die right down to the tubers (their roots). Don’t worry though, they'll grow back and bloom again with the right care.

Cyclamens prefer shady spots, so place yours somewhere that gets either full or partial shade. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause the leaves and flowers to scorch.

Keep your cyclamen's soil moist and try not to let it dry out too much. Water thoroughly and allow the excess water to drain away. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. If kept outside, rain water alone should be enough to keep your cyclamen hydrated.

Cyclamens prefer temperatures between 12-24°C, but will manage outside in the colder months. Avoid placing the plant near a draughty window or air vent, as this can cause it to become too cold.

Cyclamens prefer high humidity levels, so it is a good idea to mist the plant regularly. You can also place a humidifier near the plant to help increase the humidity levels, or keep yours in the bathroom where it's nice and steamy.

Cyclamen should be fertilised every two weeks during the spring and summer months. Use a balanced fertiliser diluted to half strength.

Dead or damaged leaves and flowers should be removed as needed. You should be able to simply pinch the stem between your fingers and pull it out. Deadhead regularly to encourage your cyclamen to produce more flowers.

If kept in a nursery pot, cyclamens should be re-potted every two to three years, or when the roots become too crowded. You'll be able to see roots pushing out through the top of the soil and the bottom of the nursery pot.

With proper care, your cyclamen will provide you with beautiful blooms for many years to come.