Can I save a plant with vine weevil?

If the infestation is caught early, you can wash the roots and repot the plant. If the tuber is heavily damaged, it is often best to start over.

How do I prevent grey mold?

Keep the leaves dry when watering and ensure there is plenty of airflow. Avoid crowding your plants too closely together.

Purple cyclamen: pests, causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the soil for small white grubs.
Check the leaves for fuzzy grey spots.
Gently tug the plant to see if it is loose in the soil.

Likely causes

Vine weevil
Most likely
How to tell: The plant suddenly collapses or wilts because the roots have been eaten by larvae.
What to do: Check the root ball for small, white, C-shaped grubs. If found, you may need to repot the plant in fresh soil and use a biological control like nematodes.
Grey mold
Possible
How to tell: Fuzzy grey fungal growth appears on leaves or flowers in damp conditions.
What to do: Remove the affected parts immediately to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid getting water on the foliage.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your purple 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.

When to worry

If the plant is loose in the pot or the leaves are collapsing, the roots are likely already damaged. Act quickly to save the tuber.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around your plant clean and avoid overwatering to prevent both mold and the damp conditions that attract pests.

Purple cyclamen: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your purple 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.

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

Questions people ask

Can I save a plant with vine weevil?: If the infestation is caught early, you can wash the roots and repot the plant. If the tuber is heavily damaged, it is often best to start over.
How do I prevent grey mold?: Keep the leaves dry when watering and ensure there is plenty of airflow. Avoid crowding your plants too closely together.

How do I deal with pests on my purple cyclamen?

Check these first

Likely causes

Vine weevil

Grey mold

Find out what's wrong with your purple cyclamen

When to worry

Stopping it coming back

Purple cyclamen: pests? Check yours with a photo

Questions people ask

Guides to these causes

More problems with Purple cyclamen