Cyclamen

There are around 20 species of cyclamen plants with the most common being the Cyclamen persicum. Growing from a tuber, cyclamen can reach heights of 10 inches. Flowers come in white, pink, red and lavender, surrounded by dark green and silvery heart-shaped leaves.

Select a location for your cyclamen that receives plenty of filtered light, yet is far away from any heat vents. East and north-facing windows are best. Stay away from south-facing windows, which may be too bright. This spot must also experience daytime temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees with night temperatures close to 50 degrees.

Water your cyclamen often enough to kept the soil moist, but not sopping wet. You’ll know the plant needs watering when the soil feels dry to the touch. It is also important to water around the edges of the flower pot instead of the center. Watering in the center can rot the tuber.

Fertilize the cyclamen once every three weeks while blooming. An average houseplant fertilizer at a ratio of 1teaspoon per gallon of water will work.

Relocate your cyclamen to a cool shady location and reduce watering to twice per month once the plant stops blooming. Remove any yellowed leaves that have fallen off of the cyclamen and discard them.

Repot the tuber once every two years after the plant has gone dormant. Use fresh soil made up of equal parts of sand, garden loam and peat moss. Make sure the top half of the tuber is sticking out above the soil line.

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