Caring for Cyclamenia indoor plants at home (+30 photos)

Flowers

Cyclamen is a fairly popular houseplant. It's also often known by another name, Cyclamenia. This species is characterized by its winter flowering period, when most plants are dormant. Cyclamenia, whose beauty can be seen in the photo, requires special care at home, as it's a rather capricious flower.

The homeland of cyclamen and the history of its cultivation

The houseplant's homeland is considered to be Spain and Central Europe. In the wild, cyclamen is found on the Crimean Peninsula, in the foothills of the Caucasus, in Iran, Africa, and the Middle East.

In the 19th century, the English began growing cyclamen as an ornamental plant. Wealthy people planted it in their greenhouses alongside exotic species. It was first cultivated for indoor gardening in France in 1731. The first cyclamen had small white flowers, several times smaller than those of modern varieties. The Persian cyclamen, the first indoor plant, became the basis for the creation of a wide variety of cultivars and hybrids.

Characteristics of indoor plants and species diversity

Cyclamenia belongs to the Primulaceae family, which includes approximately 20 species. This herbaceous perennial has heart-shaped, leathery basal leaves that are dark green. The foliage grows on long, grayish stems that can reach 30 cm in length.

The flower petals are slightly pointed and curve backward, giving them the appearance of vibrant butterflies. Today, the plant comes in a wide variety of colors, from snow-white, pink, and even purple. Florists value this species for its long bloom period (up to 3.5 months). The flowering period begins in October and lasts through March.

Cyclamen care at home

Most gardeners consider cyclamen one of the most demanding houseplants. In reality, the flower isn't all that fussy, and the conditions it requires for growing are quite easy to create in an apartment.

Lighting

The plant doesn't like too much light. It's important to ensure the foliage isn't scorched by the scorching sun. Lighting plays a crucial role in the plant's healthy development, so choose your potting location carefully.

If the pot is placed near a south-facing window, the cyclamen will need to be shaded from direct sunlight. On a north-facing window, the plant will not receive enough sun, which may negatively impact flowering.

Temperature and humidity

Proper temperature control is essential for healthy growth and long-lasting flowering. During winter, maintain a room temperature between 10-12°C. Higher temperatures will cause discomfort and the plant will shed its leaves. Higher temperatures also negatively impact flowering.

Note!

With the onset of summer, temperatures should range from 18-25°C. Summer "vacations" have a positive effect on the plant. When the soil in the garden has warmed up well, the cyclamen pot can be buried in a shady spot.

Cyclamenia prefers a humid environment. During active foliage growth, mist it periodically with a spray bottle. Once buds form, stop misting, as water can cause bud rot.

Some gardeners advise against watering the plant this way at all. They claim that water getting on the leaves and buds can lead to fungal diseases. The best way to increase humidity is to place the flowerpot in a container filled with wet pebbles.

Watering and fertilizing

It's best to use soft water for watering. Rainwater, settled water, or purified water, a few degrees cooler than room temperature, are all suitable. During the flowering phase, water generously.

It is important to remember that cyclamen tolerates drought better than waterlogged soil. At the same time, don't allow the soil to dry out completely. Water when the top layer of soil dries out. Be careful, as liquid getting into the core of the flower often causes tuber rot.

Most indoor plants require feeding twice a month, but cyclamen is not one of them. Fertilizing should be done no more than once a month. Fertilizing can significantly prolong the flowering period, so during this period, you can increase the frequency of application to once a week.

Rest period

After flowering, most cyclamens begin to shed their leaves and gradually enter a dormant state. Dried flowers and yellowed leaves are carefully removed along with the stems and flower stalks. When the above-ground portions begin to fade, watering should be gradually reduced until it is stopped completely. The pot with the tubers is transferred to a cool room, turned on its side, and left until approximately July.

If a flower refuses to rest, don't force it into dormancy. In this case, move the pot to a shady location to prevent the sun's rays from scorching the foliage on hot days. Young plants often skip the dormancy period, and the cyclamen continues to delight with its blooms. During this time, remember to fertilize and water regularly. As they age, young cyclamen will regulate their dormancy period on their own. Some varieties retain their foliage year-round.

Diseases and pests

With proper care, the flower rarely gets sick and is virtually unaffected by insects. When weakened, cyclamen is susceptible to the most common diseases:

Fusarium wilt is a fungal disease. The first symptom is yellowing of the leaf tips. Most often, only one side of the plant is affected, while the other side continues to grow normally. Treatment involves applying 0.1% Fundazol to the roots of the plant. Foliage is sprayed with 0.1% Topsin-M.
Fusarium
Gray mold occurs when growing conditions are improper. It is primarily caused by high humidity and improper watering. When gray mold appears, a gray mold forms on the leaves, and the affected parts gradually die. To combat the disease, remove moldy areas, ventilate the room more frequently, spray less frequently, and reduce watering.
Important!
Cyclamenia should be watered in the morning, allowing the soil to dry out slightly before nightfall. If the plant is sick, be sure to treat it with a fungicide.

The most common insects that can harm cyclamen are the following:

cyclamen mite;
aphids;
thrips.

To kill aphids, take a cotton ball, soak it in an insecticide (Komandor, Aktara), and spray it on the above-ground portion of the flower. After spraying, bathe the plant under high pressure water. Thrips can be controlled as follows: dilute 5 ml of Akarin in 0.5 liters of water. Spray the flower with the resulting solution, and repeat the treatment after a few days.

Cyclamen mites, if diagnosed late, can kill a plant. Treatment is rarely effective, but some gardeners recommend soaking the pot in hot water for 15 minutes. The water temperature should be 45°C (113°F). Afterward, place the pot in a shaded area for a few days.

How to propagate and transplant a flower at home

Cyclamenia propagation at home is quite difficult, but it is entirely possible if you follow all the recommendations. The plant is most often propagated by seed. Seeds can be purchased at the store or grown from your own plant. Propagation proceeds as follows:

ripe seeds are soaked for a day in warm water;
Cyclamen seeds
the planting material is sown at a large distance from each other and sprinkled with a thin layer of vermiculite (up to 5 mm);
the container with seeds is transferred to a shaded place with a temperature of no more than 20˚C;
the first shoots will appear after 1.5-2 months;
After 2-3 leaves have formed, young plants are transplanted into separate pots.
Cyclamen sprouts

When propagating a plant from a tuber, ensure that the tuber has multiple eyes. Dry the tuber, and cut off a piece containing one eye. Treat the cut areas with an antiseptic. Plant the separated piece in a prepared pot. Despite proper procedure, tubers often die.

At the end of summer, it's time to consider repotting your cyclamen. The soil for the plant should contain the following components:

1 part turf soil;
1 part peat;
1 part sand;
2 parts leaf soil.

Choose a small, shallow pot. Line the bottom with a good drainage layer. Shake off any old soil from the roots, trimming away any damaged parts.

The tuber is placed into the soil only halfway, so that at least 1/3 of the tuber remains above the surface.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Why do cyclamen leaves turn yellow?

Yellowing leaves may indicate the beginning of the cyclamen's dormant period. Foliage may also turn yellow due to insufficient light or a lack of fresh air. If the plant is growing in warmer temperatures, its foliage may also change color.

Is the flower poisonous?

Extreme caution should be exercised when handling Persian cyclamen. This plant is poisonous, especially the tubers, which contain numerous toxic substances. In addition to its toxic properties, the plant also has medicinal properties. The tubers are widely used to make tinctures in folk medicine.

Why doesn't the cyclamen bloom?

The most common reason for a lack of flowers is high air temperatures. Cyclamenia is a cool-season plant, so it thrives at temperatures around 16°C (61°F). If the plant is planted in a container that is too large, don't expect it to bloom.

Is it necessary to prune the plant?

As the plant enters dormancy, it begins to shed its leaves. Avoid trimming yellowed and wilted foliage, as any remaining leaves can cause the tuber to rot. It's best to gently twist off the wilted leaves.

Cyclamenia captivates anyone who has ever seen its stunning blooms. By following all the care instructions, you can grow a beautiful flower that will brighten any corner of your home with vibrant colors.