Colorado winters hit hard, with dry air and sharp cold that push most plants to the brink. Yet some homeowners still draw rich color from cyclamen long after frost settles in.
A few smart moves, a pinch of know-how, and a watchful eye keep those vivid blooms in top form. In a season that tests every leaf, these strategies help cyclamen stand tall instead of fading into the background.
1. Place Plants Away From Heating Vents
Heating vents blast hot, dry air that can quickly damage your cyclamen’s delicate leaves and flowers. Position your plant at least six feet away from any forced-air heating source to protect it from this harsh environment.
Cold drafts from windows can also harm your cyclamen, so find a spot that stays consistently cool but not freezing. A north-facing windowsill or a cool bedroom often works perfectly for these temperature-sensitive plants.
Room temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit keep cyclamen happiest and blooming longest throughout winter months.
2. Water From The Bottom Up
Bottom watering prevents crown rot, which is the number one destroyer of cyclamen plants during winter. Simply place your potted cyclamen in a saucer filled with water and let the soil soak up moisture through the drainage holes for about 15 minutes.
After the soil feels moist to the touch, remove the pot from the water and let excess liquid drain completely. Never leave your cyclamen sitting in standing water, as this encourages fungal diseases and root problems.
Check soil moisture every few days by touching the surface before watering again.
3. Boost Humidity With Pebble Trays
Colorado’s winter air can drop humidity levels below 20 percent, which feels like a desert to moisture-loving cyclamen. Creating a pebble tray is simple and effective for raising humidity around your plant without expensive equipment.
Fill a shallow tray with small stones or pebbles, add water until it reaches just below the top of the rocks, then set your potted cyclamen on top. As water evaporates, it creates a humid microclimate around the leaves and flowers.
Refill the tray regularly to maintain consistent moisture levels in the air.
4. Remove Damaged Flowers And Yellow Leaves
Spent blooms and withering foliage drain energy from your cyclamen that could go toward producing new flowers. Gently twist off faded flowers at the base where they connect to the tuber, rather than cutting them with scissors.
Yellow or brown leaves should also be removed this way to prevent fungal problems from developing on decaying plant material. This twisting method creates a clean break that heals quickly and reduces the risk of infection or rot.
Regular grooming keeps your cyclamen looking attractive and encourages continuous blooming throughout the season.
5. Feed Monthly With Diluted Fertilizer
Blooming takes tremendous energy, so cyclamen benefit from regular feeding during their active winter growing season. Mix a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half the recommended strength to avoid burning the sensitive roots.
Apply this diluted solution once every four weeks when you water your plant, making sure the soil is already slightly moist before adding fertilizer. Too much fertilizer causes leaf burn and reduces flowering, so less is definitely more with cyclamen.
Stop feeding completely once blooming naturally slows down in late spring as the plant enters dormancy.
6. Provide Bright Indirect Sunlight
Strong Colorado sunshine streaming through windows can actually scorch cyclamen leaves, even during winter months when the sun sits lower in the sky. Bright, filtered light gives your plant the energy it needs without causing damage to the foliage.
East-facing windows work wonderfully, providing gentle morning light that cyclamen adore. If you only have south or west-facing windows, hang a sheer curtain to soften the intense afternoon rays.
Rotate your pot every few days so all sides receive equal light exposure and your plant grows evenly.
7. Keep Nighttime Temperatures Cool
Did you know cyclamen actually prefer cooler temperatures than most people keep their homes? Nighttime temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit help these Mediterranean natives feel right at home and extend their blooming period significantly.
Many Colorado homeowners move their cyclamen to an unheated sunroom, enclosed porch, or cool guest bedroom at night. This temperature drop mimics their natural habitat and keeps plants compact with vibrant, long-lasting flowers.
Warm rooms cause leggy growth and shortened bloom time, so embrace the chill for healthier plants.
8. Monitor For Common Pests Regularly
Dry indoor conditions create the perfect breeding ground for spider mites, which love to attack stressed cyclamen plants during winter. Check the undersides of leaves weekly for tiny webs or stippled yellow spots that indicate an infestation has begun.
Catching pests early makes treatment much easier and prevents serious damage to your plant. A strong spray of water in the sink can knock off spider mites, or you can use insecticidal soap for heavier infestations.
Maintaining proper humidity levels naturally discourages most pests from settling on your cyclamen in the first place.