Do I need to water them in summer?

No, they are dormant in summer and prefer to stay dry.

Can I grow them in pots?

Yes, they do well in shallow containers with excellent drainage.

Plant guide

Ivy-leaved cyclamen.

Cyclamen hederifolium

Pronounced SY-kla-men hed-er-ih-FO-lee-um

Also known as Ivy-leaf Cyclamen, Ivy-leaved Cyclamen, Sowbread

The ivy-leaved cyclamen is a charming tuberous perennial that wakes up in autumn. It produces lovely, swept-back flowers before its patterned leaves emerge. It's a fantastic choice for naturalizing under deciduous trees.

Another photo of Ivy-leaved cyclamen — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 15cm height, 20cm spread
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Late summer to mid autumn

Care

Plant your tubers in well-draining soil with the slightly concave side facing up. Keep the area relatively dry during their summer dormancy to prevent rot. Watch for yellowing leaves as the plant prepares to go dormant in late spring.

Watering: Water regularly during the active growing season in autumn and winter, but keep dry while dormant in summer.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growth phase.
Pruning: Simply remove any dead or damaged foliage after the plant has finished its growth cycle.
Repotting: Repot only when the tubers become too crowded in their container.
Soil: Well-draining, humus-rich soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -15 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many decades.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot
Growth stalling during the active season

Safety

People: The tubers are poisonous and can cause severe digestive distress if eaten.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from children as the tubers are toxic if ingested.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: All parts of this plant contain cyclamin, which is toxic if ingested.

How to identify it

Ivy-shaped leaves with silver marbling
Reflexed petals in pink or white
Flowers appear before foliage emerges
Tuberous root system
Compact, low-growing habit

Height: 0.1 to 0.15m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.25m
Leaves: dark green, silver, deciduous
Flowers: pink, white, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: brown, Late autumn

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: late summer, early autumn
Overwintering: Mulch lightly with leaf mold to protect the tubers from extreme frost. Ensure the soil remains well drained to prevent rot during wet winters.
In containers: They grow well in shallow pots, provided the soil is gritty and drains very quickly.

Seed

Collect seeds from the pods in late spring.
Sow immediately in a gritty seed mix.
Keep in a cool, shaded frame until germination.

Plant these under deciduous trees where they can enjoy spring sun and summer shade.

Grows well with

Snowdrop — They share similar woodland conditions and bloom at different times.
Hellebore — They provide beautiful foliage contrast in shaded garden beds.

Similar species

Eastern sowbread — It is a similar small tuberous perennial that blooms in winter.

Science

Family: Primulaceae
Genus: Cyclamen
Order: Ericales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin.
Conservation: This plant is not currently threatened, but wild collection should be avoided.

It thrives in the dappled shade of deciduous forests where it can go dormant during the dry summer months.

Value to wildlife: late season nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: woodland gardens, rock gardens, ground cover

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to water them in summer?: No, they are dormant in summer and prefer to stay dry.
Can I grow them in pots?: Yes, they do well in shallow containers with excellent drainage.

Where the name comes from

The genus name comes from the Greek word kyklos, meaning circle, referring to the coiled flower stems, while hederifolium means ivy-leaved.

Good to know

The leaves are shaped like ivy, which gives the plant its name.
These plants can live for many decades in the right spot.
They often bloom before the new leaves emerge.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.