Cyclamen Care Guide

Cyclamen are a wonderful holiday houseplant alternative to poinsettias that bring vibrant color to Maine homes during the darkest days of winter. Their graceful, upswept blooms and marbled green and silver foliage offer a refreshing burst of cheer just when we need it most. Even better, cyclamen are not just a one-season plant; they can thrive indoors through our cold months, spend the summer outdoors once things warm up, and return inside again in the fall. With the right care, these hardy beauties can brighten your home for years to come.

Placement

Success with cyclamen in Maine comes down to three main factors: cool temperatures, good air circulation, and steady moisture. Cyclamen love cool conditions, with daytime temperatures around 60 to 65°F and nighttime temperatures closer to 50°F. That makes them perfect for our homes in winter, especially if you keep them near a window where it is a little cooler but still bright. Just avoid direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators or wood stoves, which can dry them out quickly.

Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. When watering, avoid pouring water over the crown (the center of the plant), as this can cause the corm, or bulb-like base, to rot. Instead, water around the edge of the pot or set the pot in a shallow dish of water for a few minutes, allowing the roots to absorb moisture from below. Since our winter air tends to be dry, especially indoors, misting your cyclamen or setting it on a tray of pebbles and water can help increase humidity and keep the leaves perky.

Pruning

If kept cool and moist, cyclamen will reward you with blooms from December through April, a welcome sight during a long Maine winter. As the flowers fade and leaves begin to yellow, remove them with a quick twist or tug near the base. This keeps the plant looking tidy and encourages new blooms to form. Under the right conditions, you will enjoy a steady cycle of fresh flowers all season long.

After Care

By late spring, your cyclamen will naturally begin to rest. When the leaves start to wilt and die back, gradually reduce watering and allow the plant to go dormant. Store the dry corm in a cool, dark place such as a basement or unheated garage. Once the weather warms in late May or June, you can replant the corm outdoors in a shaded spot, burying it so that about half sits just below the soil surface. Let it rest there for the summer while keeping the soil lightly moist.

When new leaves begin to appear in mid to late summer, repot your cyclamen in a rich, sandy potting mix and keep it outside in a shaded area. As autumn arrives and nights start to cool again, bring the plant back indoors before frost, usually by late September. Place it in a bright window that gets some morning sun and feed monthly with a diluted, half-strength liquid houseplant fertilizer to help it prepare for another beautiful winter bloom.

With a little attention and a proper seasonal rhythm, cyclamen are a rewarding choice for Maine gardeners, offering a burst of color when the garden is sleeping and a satisfying cycle of renewal as the seasons change.