How to Care for Cyclamen During Dormancy| Gardener’s Path

01.12.2023 - 19:01 / gardenerspath.com / Tabitha Caswell

How to Care for Cyclamen During Dormancy

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) houseplants are indoor winter favorites in the United States and Canada.

Not to be confused with their hardy relative, C. hederifolium, these little beauties are native to the Mediterranean region and are only hardy outdoors in USDA Zones 9 to 11, which means for most of us, they share our indoor spaces.

If you have a potted cyclamen, you probably received it as a gift or purchased it yourself during the fall or winter, when the adorable little blossoms are in full bloom.

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In their native climates, these plants come alive with flowers during the winter months, when temperatures are cool, and humidity is high.

For those of us struggling through the bleak, dark, and cold winters, these colorful winter bloomers are a welcome respite.

I don’t know about you, but the last few weeks of February in Zone 5b can be a mental struggle at times. This is when I dig deep into my Scandinavian roots to find enjoyment and comfort in simple, small pleasures.

My cyclamen’s green, heart-shaped leaves and cheerful little flowers certainly help boost my mood just enough to push through until spring.

As with many flowering plants, cyclamens go through a dormant period. If your plant is looking a little unhealthy, you might be wondering what’s going on.

Is it dying? Well, it might be, but chances are it’s just heading for a seasonal siesta, aka a dormant period, and everything is totally fine.

For the full story on cyclamens and how to grow them, check out our comprehensive guide.

In this article, I’ll walk you through all you need to know about the dormant period