Cyclamen

Autumn-Spring · Indoors

Water houseplant

Don't splash the corm with water. Water regularly in growth while keeping corm dry. Reduce watering after the flowers fade until the leaves die. Give the corm an occasional drop of water in the dormant period. Recommence watering from late summer

Spring-Autumn · Indoors

Feed with low nitrogen feed

Use a houseplant fertiliser that has low nitrogen content. Apply this several times while the plant is in active growth, reduce feeding and then stop feeding when the plant begins to fade, or winter starts.

Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water in dry periods

Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.

Outdoors

Feed & mulch some rose varieties differently

To keep roses healthy and produce more flowers, feed during the growing season before and after flowering. Roses in containers should be fed more often than those planted in the ground, every two weeks from mid spring to late summer. Adding a mulch around the base of a rose will trap moisture and enrich the soil as it biodegrades.

Outdoors

Water some varieties differently

Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.

Compost · Planting

Loam based houseplant compost for repotting

Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.

John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.

Indoor temperature · Planting

10C minimum temperature

This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.

Planting

Repot or lift some varieties

Some plants within this genus have special requirements for repotting. It is best to look up your specific plant for guidance, and/or check the label. Use a pot with drainage holes in the bottom.

Indoor plant · Planting

Position in a bright spot, no direct sun

Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.