Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Ivy-leaved cyclamen · Cyclamen hederifolium

Why are my Ivy-leaved cyclamen leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves often point to overwatering or the plant beginning its natural summer dormancy. Check how often you are watering to see if the soil is staying too wet.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

yellow leaves on a plant
Photo: Trio3D, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture level with your finger.
  2. Look at the calendar to see if the plant is entering its dormant phase.
  3. Examine the tuber for signs of rot.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and soft, often starting from the bottom of the plant.

    What to do: Reduce your watering frequency immediately. Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

  2. Natural dormancy

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves yellow gradually as the weather warms up in late spring.

    What to do: This is a natural process. Simply stop watering and let the plant rest in a cool, dry spot until autumn.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your ivy-leaved cyclamen

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

Yellowing is normal as the plant prepares for its summer rest. If it happens during the peak growing season in winter, you are likely watering too much.

Stopping it coming back

Use a well-draining potting mix and never let the plant sit in a saucer of standing water.

Ivy-leaved cyclamen: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your ivy-leaved cyclamen and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I cut off the yellow leaves?
Yes, you can gently pull or snip off yellow leaves to keep the plant tidy. Make sure to remove the entire stem down to the tuber.
Does yellowing mean my plant is dying?
Not necessarily. If it is late spring, it is just getting ready for its summer nap. If it is winter, it needs less water.

More problems with Ivy-leaved cyclamen

Back to the Ivy-leaved cyclamen guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.