Ivy-leaved cyclamen.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Herbaceous perennial

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Indoor light

medium

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 60%

Drought tolerance

high

Lifespan

Perennial, can live for several decades.

Fragrance

light

Deer and rabbits

high

Safety

People

The tubers are poisonous and can cause severe digestive distress if consumed.

Pets

This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Children

Keep this plant away from children as the tubers are highly toxic if eaten.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause skin irritation or rashes in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

None.

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 0.2m

Leaves

green, silver, deciduous

Flowers

pink, white, 2 to 3cm

Common problems

• Vine weevil — The larvae feed on the tubers and can kill the plant.
• Grey mold — Botrytis can develop on foliage in damp and poorly ventilated conditions.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, division

When to plant

summer

Overwintering

They are hardy and do not need special protection in winter. Keep the soil relatively dry during the coldest months to prevent rot.

In containers

They grow well in shallow pots or troughs with excellent drainage.

Plant them under deciduous trees where they get sun in winter and shade in summer.

Grows well with

• Snowdrop — They share similar woodland conditions and bloom at different times.
• Hellebore — Both plants enjoy the same shade and soil requirements.
• Hostas — They provide a nice foliage contrast to the cyclamen leaves.

Keep away from

• Sun loving perennials — These will likely scorch the cyclamen and compete for water.

Similar species

• Eastern cyclamen — It blooms in late winter and early spring rather than autumn.

Science

Family

Primulaceae

Genus

Cyclamen

Order

Ericales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Mediterranean region of Europe.

Conservation

This plant is not currently of conservation concern.

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

Value to wildlife

late season nectar source

Pollinators

bees

Uses

woodland groundcover, rock garden accent, underplanting deciduous trees

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.

How deep should I plant the tubers?

Plant them just below the soil surface with the slightly concave side facing up.

Where the name comes from

The name hederifolium means ivy leaved, referring to the leaf shape. Cyclamen comes from the Greek word kyklos, meaning circle, likely referring to the coiled flower stems.

Good to know

• The leaves are shaped like ivy leaves, which gives the plant its name.
• These plants can live for many decades in the right spot.
• They are dormant during the hot summer months.
• The flowers often appear before the leaves emerge in autumn.