Bulb
Ivy-leaved cyclamen
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | Flowers in August | Flowers in September | Flowers in October | |||||||||
| Plant | Plant in August | Plant in September | Plant in October | |||||||||
| Looks good | Looks good in January | Looks good in February | Looks good in March | Looks good in August | Looks good in September | Looks good in October | Looks good in November | Looks good in December |
Overview
This little hardy cyclamen flowers from late summer into autumn, often before its leaves appear, with swept-back pink or white petals on bare stems. The foliage that follows is the real bonus: ivy-shaped leaves marbled with silver and green, which carpet the ground through winter and vanish in early summer. Every plant is slightly different, and seed-raised strains with silver or pewter leaves are widely sold. The white form, 'Album', glows in shade.
Where to grow ivy-leaved cyclamen
Few plants are so happy in dry shade. Grow it at the foot of trees, beneath shrubs, on shady banks or in gaps among tree roots, where the canopy keeps summer rain off its dormant tubers. Good drainage matters more than soil type, and it does well on chalk.
Planting
Pot-grown plants, which establish more reliably than dry tubers, can be planted in late summer or autumn while in growth. Set the tuber with its top just at or slightly below the soil surface; roots grow from the upper side, so don't bury it deep. Add leaf mould on poor ground.
Care through the year
Spring
Leaves start to yellow from late spring. Let them die back naturally.
Summer
Tubers are dormant and enjoy a dry rest. Tidy away old leaves and mark the spot so you don't dig into it.
Autumn
Flowers appear, followed by new leaves. Top-dress with a thin layer of leaf mould.
Winter
The marbled leaves are at their best. Clear fallen tree leaves that smother them.
Pruning
No pruning is required. Pick off any yellowing leaves if you want a neater look.
Propagation
Seed is the only practical method. After flowering the stems coil down to bring the seed pods to ground level, and ants carry the sticky seeds away, so seedlings pop up around established plants. Sow fresh seed in a pot of gritty compost and leave it outside.
Common problems
Vine weevil grubs can hollow out tubers, especially in pots; check compost when repotting. Squirrels and mice sometimes dig up tubers. Waterlogged soil causes rot, so improve drainage on heavy ground.
Guides to the problems most likely to affect ivy-leaved cyclamen:
Something else wrong? Diagnose it by symptom.
Month-by-month reminders
Jobs for this plant come round in August, September and October. Each month page lists everything else worth doing in the garden at the same time.
Related plants
Sources
Botanical names follow Kew's Plants of the World Online; growing attributes were checked against the references below. Text is our own. See our editorial policy.