Hardy cyclamen
Plant the tuber shallow, with the growing point uppermost — a common early mistake is planting it upside down or too deep, leading to no growth at all. This genus excels at exactly the 'dry shade under a tree' spot that defeats most other plants.
Care
Dappled shade under deciduous trees or shrubs is the ideal spot for this genus.
Drought-tolerant once established, especially during summer dormancy; the tuber actually prefers to stay fairly dry over summer.
Free-draining soil, rich in organic matter. Thrives in the dry shade under trees where little else does well — a distinctive strength of this genus.
Not applicable — remove old flower stems or leaves only once they have died back naturally; don't cut green leaves.
No feeding. A light scatter of leaf mould over the colony as the leaves die down is all it wants, and it must be light — a heavy mulch buries the tubers, which sit at or just below the surface.
It seeds itself and ants carry the seed about, so an established colony spreads on its own. To help it along, collect the coiled seed heads and scatter the sticky seed where you want the next drift.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchWinter-flowering species finish blooming; leaves persist through spring.
- JuneKeep almost dry through summer dormancy — this is normal, not neglect. how ›
- SeptemberMain flowering begins for the autumn-flowering species; leaves follow after the flowers.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchWinter-flowering species finish blooming; leaves persist through spring.
- JuneKeep almost dry through summer dormancy — this is normal, not neglect. how ›
- SeptemberMain flowering begins for the autumn-flowering species; leaves follow after the flowers.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryWinter-flowering species finish blooming; leaves persist through spring.
- JuneKeep almost dry through summer dormancy — this is normal, not neglect. how ›
- SeptemberMain flowering begins for the autumn-flowering species; leaves follow after the flowers.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryWinter-flowering species finish blooming; leaves persist through spring.
- JuneKeep almost dry through summer dormancy — this is normal, not neglect. how ›
- SeptemberMain flowering begins for the autumn-flowering species; leaves follow after the flowers.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. No growth at all.
What to do. The tuber has a concave top — plant with the growing point/concave side facing up, shallow, just below the soil surface.
How to spot it. Grubs eating the tuber from below, a particularly common problem for pot-grown cyclamen.
What to do. Check for grubs in the compost if a plant collapses suddenly; treat with a biological control if confirmed.
How to spot it. Leaves disappearing completely over summer.
What to do. Normal summer die-back for many hardy cyclamen — don't dig up the tuber to check on it.
Questions
Hardy cyclamen: is it hardy?
H5: Hardy in most of the UK, but can struggle in the coldest inland or upland spots. It survives down to −15 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Does well in a shaded trough or alpine pan.
Hardy cyclamen: when do you prune it?
Not applicable — remove old flower stems or leaves only once they have died back naturally; don't cut green leaves.
Hardy cyclamen: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in January–March, September–October.
When do you feed it?
No feeding. A light scatter of leaf mould over the colony as the leaves die down is all it wants, and it must be light — a heavy mulch buries the tubers, which sit at or just below the surface.