When Should I Fertilize My Cyclamens?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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In

fall, or early winter

, fertilize with a low nitrogen fertilizer every other week until blooms appear. Once blooming, it is only necessary to feed cyclamen plants every 3-4 weeks with a well-balanced houseplant fertilizer.

What is the best fertilizer for cyclamen?

Generally, a complete houseplant fertilizer for cyclamens is recommended, like a

10-10-10 or 20-20-20

. Fertilize every 3-4 for weeks. Cyclamen plants with yellowing leaves may benefit from a complete houseplant fertilizer with added iron.

Do cyclamens need fertilizer?

Cyclamens

do need fertilizer

but too much will promote lush growth that is more susceptible to disease. Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer or houseplant food for blooming plants every two weeks when in active growth.

How do you look after cyclamens?

Your cyclamen needs a

cool, bright spot to thrive

. Keep away from direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist but do not overwater – this is a common way to kill cyclamen. If you want your plant to flower again the following autumn, you will need to let it go dormant over the summer, reducing watering.

How do I keep my cyclamen blooming?

Plant outdoor cyclamen where they receive dappled sunlight because too much sun can stress or scorch plants so they don’t flower.

Set indoor plants in bright but indirect sunlight

to encourage best blooms, and maintain temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do cyclamens like blood and bone?

Cyclamens, like all winter annuals, do best when planted in

beds

that are enriched with compost and other organic matter. Adding some blood/bone meal fertilizer into the garden bed or into potting mixtures in containers gives your cyclamen a great start.

How do you water cyclamens?

Water your cyclamen plant only

when the soil is dry to the touch

, but do not leave the plant in this dry state so long that it shows visible signs of not being watered, such as droopy leaves and flowers. When you water the plant, water from below the leaves so that the water doesn’t touch the stems or leaves.

How long do cyclamen plants last?

A well-tended cyclamen can live

up to 100 years

in the same spot. Cyclamen leaves have a tremendous range of shapes, even within a single species.

Do cyclamen like sun or shade?

The tubers are actually just “resting,” and need only enough water to keep from completely drying out until new leaves emerge in the fall. They

tolerate sun or partial shade

, but need protection from hot sun in the afternoons.

What month do cyclamen go dormant?

Plants learn to survive by blooming in winter or early spring and going dormant in

the summer

when moisture is scarce. With proper care, dormant cyclamen plants will reemerge in the fall. While they rest, cyclamens need dry soil and dim light.

Can you revive a cyclamen?

To revive your cyclamen, you might try the same regimen as used after this dormancy period.

Re-pot

the tuber in a good compost and sand mix, set in an area that is sunny, but cool, and water as directed above. For all the trouble of reviving them, most folks toss out their cyclamens once they go dormant.

Why has my cyclamen stopped flowering?


Failure to meet their moisture and temperature requirements can lead

to cyclamen buds not opening. In their native climate, cyclamen flowers bloom during mild, Mediterranean winters when they enjoy cool temperatures.

Do cyclamen plants come back every year?

Most cyclamen are perennials because they develop a tuber. So

the tuber, if placed in the right location, will come back year after year

. And to give you an idea of the longevity of this plant, the tubers can live up to a century.

What do you feed cyclamens with?

Generally, a

complete houseplant fertilizer

for cyclamens is recommended, like a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. Fertilize every 3-4 for weeks. Cyclamen plants with yellowing leaves may benefit from a complete houseplant fertilizer with added iron.

What can I feed my outdoor cyclamen?

Generally, a

complete houseplant fertilizer for

cyclamens is recommended, like a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. Fertilize every 3-4 for weeks. Cyclamen plants with yellowing leaves may benefit from a complete houseplant fertilizer with added iron.

Should you prune cyclamen?


Prune away all dead plant material during the summer dormant period

, leaving only the buried tuber. Cyclamen plants “rest” during the dormant season, storing up energy for the next year, and should not waste energy on dying stems.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.