Have you ever seen the beautiful pink flowers of cyclamen and wondered how to care for this lovely plant?
While it is an easy-care plant, one of the most important factors to consider when caring for your plants is lighting. Knowing what lighting requirements your houseplant needs will ensure that this gorgeous flowering specimen stays healthy and blooms beautifully year after year.
Let’s take a look at exactly what type of light these plants need.
How Much Light Does a Cyclamen Need?
These plants are lovely and hardy species that are known for their beautiful flower buds. They are native to an area stretching from Morocco to Turkey. Despite its dainty nature, it is surprisingly tolerant of different growing conditions.
Do cyclamen need sun?
In general, it needs only about three or four hours of direct sunlight during the day in order to flourish! This means that with proper care, these plants can bring a vibrant splash of color to home gardens or even small window boxes in slightly shaded locations.
They thrive in bright indirect light, meaning they should be placed near an external window.
Although the amount of sunlight that reaches the plant won’t affect the formation of flower buds, light that is too direct or intense could burn their leaves.
Be sure not to place them too close to a radiator where they can get hot or dry out easily. The combination of optimum light together with cool temperatures will provide your plants with all it needs: producing blooms even if you don’t live in areas with natural day-length variations.
Can Cyclamen Grow in Low Light?
When given too little light, these plants may struggle to thrive and show signs of this deficit by poor leaf growth, droopy stems, or stunted flowering.
In the winter months, in particular, your plants may need extra care when it comes to light, as the days become shorter and colder.
To help ensure a healthy environment for the plant, consider using a warm artificial lamp nearby, particularly during the shorter and colder months.
A combination of adequate water and fertilizer should, in conjunction with adequate lighting conditions, ensure healthy growth for your beautiful cyclamen all year round.
Do Cyclamen Like Sun or Shade?
If you are growing cyclamen in your home or garden, it is important to understand how much sun is too much for these plants. It differs somewhat depending on the season (less light is needed in the summer, for instance, because it is more intense).Â
While your plants can enjoy the filtered sunlight coming through a window, direct, intense sunlight can be harmful. You can tell your plants have had too much sun if the leaves start to suffer from burn marks or appear wrinkled and dry.
To keep your plants healthy, it’s best to provide them with afternoon shade during the warmest months of summer. Planting your flowers where they receive sun until midday, but are shaded after this time will ensure they get just what they need without damaging their leaves.
Where Should I Place My Cyclamen Indoors?
Placing one of these plants indoors provides easy access to colorful flowers that make a pleasant addition to any indoor space. Placing the plant in bright, indirect sunlight is ideal for a well-lit location.
These plants also do well in cooler temperatures, so placing them near an east or north-facing window in your home will be beneficial if you live in a hot climate.
If you’re looking to extend its flowering season, you may want to consider supplementing existing light with artificial grow lights specifically designed for certain types of cyclamen plants.Â
Final Thoughts
When growing any kind of houseplant—cyclamens included—it is important to know its specific requirements in order for it to thrive in its environment. With these tips, you can keep your plants looking beautiful through the summer, fall, and winter months – even if you’re growing in partial shade.
When growing companion plants for cyclamen flowers, make sure you pick the plants that have similar growing conditions.
