Cyclamen dormancy is a natural part of their lifecycle. In this post, I’ll tell you all you need to know about the timing, what to do in order to keep it alive, and how to revive it.
Understanding the cyclamen dormancy process is essential to keep a healthy plant that blooms year after year.
What many don’t understand is the difference between a dead and dormant cyclamen. This confusion often leads to overwatering or other issues, or even a perfectly good plant being tossed out.
In this cyclamen dormancy guide I’ve shared all you need to know in order to successfully get them through their natural annual rest period.
Do Cyclamen Go Dormant?
While most types of cyclamen do go dormant every year, it’s not uncommon for some to skip it. Environment is a big factor in the process.
In perfect indoor conditions, with cool temps and even watering, they may continue to happily stay awake, and even keep flowering, year-round.
But in their natural habitat, they bloom in winter and go dormant during summer months. This cycle is important so they can conserve water and survive intense heat.
Should I Let My Cyclamen Go Dormant?
If your cyclamen is showing signs of going dormant, then you need to let it happen.
Trying to prevent it by adding more heat, light, or water won’t stop the process, and can actually end up killing it instead.
When Do Cyclamen Go Dormant?
The time of year when cyclamen go dormant is what surprises most people. Understanding when to expect it and how long it lasts can help you respond to its natural cues.
Cyclamen Dormancy Period
Unlike many other plants, they love the cold and hate the heat. So a cyclamen will thrive and flower during winter, and go dormant in the summer.
When warmer temperatures approach in the spring, and it has finished flowering, it will enter its rest period and remain that way to wait out hot, dry summer weather.
How Long Does A Cyclamen Stay Dormant?
Exactly how long a cyclamen will stay dormant depends on a few factors, mainly the climate and temperature.
They will start to enter their rest period when it reaches 70°F or hotter, and will stay that way for 2-3 months.
So the timing depends on your local climate. But you can expect to see the first signs sometime in early to mid-spring.
They will usually begin to wake up and emerge with new leaves popping in sometime mid-fall, once it begins to cool down outside.
My Cyclamen Is Not Going Dormant
If your cyclamen is not going dormant, then it’s probably in an ideal indoor setting. Don’t worry, this is not uncommon, and it’s nothing to worry about.
Cool temperatures and consistent watering can keep them content. They may even continue to bloom, with only a few dropped leaves during summer.
If this is the case for you, don’t try to force it into dormancy, just keep doing what you’re doing.
How Can You Tell If A Cyclamen Is Dormant?
Understanding the signs of a dormant cyclamen is key to knowing how to handle it. Use the tips and info below to help you keep it alive through its resting period.
What Does Cyclamen Look Like When Dormant?
When a cyclamen is dormant, it looks like it’s dead, which unfortunately means that many people will toss it into the trash.
As the cycle begins, the leaves will turn yellow and then brown as they droop and slowly die back.
Eventually most, if not all, the foliage will die, drop off, and leave you with nothing but the bulb in the soil.
Related Post: Why Do Cyclamen Leaves Turn Yellow & How To Fix It
Is My Cyclamen Dead Or Dormant?
So how can you tell if your cyclamen is dead or dormant? There are a few easy ways to check.
First is the time of year. If it starts dying back in early spring after a healthy blooming period, it is likely entering its rest period.
Second is to check the tuber to make sure it is plump and firm. If it’s withered or mushy and soft, it’s likely suffering from rot, and may not survive.
Related Post: What To Do With Cyclamen After Flowering
How To Store Dormant Cyclamen
Properly storing your dormant cyclamen is a key part of their survival. They need to be kept somewhere cool, dry, and dark.
As soon as you see the leaves beginning to fade, move them out of the heat to a location that’s away from all light.
Once all of the foliage has died back, cut it off at the base. You can leave them right in their pot, or lift the tuber and store it bare-root.
How To Care For Dormant Cyclamen
Caring for a dormant cyclamen could not be easier – get it prepped for storage, then ignore it!
After cutting back the leaves, brush away the top layers of soil to expose the tuber. This allows it to breathe a little. Then put it somewhere cool, dry and dark, and leave it alone for 2-3 months.
Should Cyclamen Be Watered When Dormant?
You should not water your cyclamen when it’s dormant because they’re susceptible to root rot during this period.
This is very important, and also easy to do, as long as you store it in a dry location.
So don’t water them at all, and keep them away from humidity until they’re ready to emerge from their rest.
Related Post: How To Grow Waxed Amaryllis Bulbs
How To Bring Cyclamen Out Of Dormancy
Once you’ve successfully helped your cyclamen through dormancy, it’s important to know how to bring them back to life. My tips below will help them wake up, and get a healthy fresh start.
When To Bring Cyclamen Out Of Dormancy
Most cyclamen will only need 8-10 weeks of dormancy, or up to 3 months at most.
Begin checking on yours after 2 months. If you see signs of new leaves, they’re ready to come out of storage.
If you don’t see any signs of life by 3 months, or mid-fall, check the tuber to ensure it’s firm. If it is, you can jumpstart the process yourself.
How To Revive A Dormant Cyclamen
The process of reviving dormant cyclamen begins with a good soak. After months of no moisture, the tuber is often very dry, and requires a little extra effort to rehydrate.
If the water just runs through the pot, submerge it for 10 minutes in a bucket. Then take it out and let all of the excess drain away completely.
Move it to a cool area with bright light. If yours already has leaves, resume normal care. If not, wait until you see new foliage before watering again.
How Long Does It Take For A Cyclamen To Come Out Of Dormancy?
It usually takes a few weeks for a cyclamen to come out of dormancy, depending on the conditions.
After rehydrating it and moving it into bright light, you should see tiny new leaves begin to appear within 2-3 weeks. New flowers should emerge another 2-3 weeks after that.
FAQs
Here I’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about cyclamen dormancy. If yours isn’t on the list, please add it to the comments section below.
What month do cyclamen go dormant?
The exact month that cyclamen go dormant depends on where you live. It usually begins sometime in early spring when the temperatures are consistently above 70°F during the day.
Does cyclamen go dormant in winter?
No, a cyclamen does not go dormant in the winter. That’s the time of year they should be in full bloom and thriving. Their normal dormancy period is during the summer.
Do indoor cyclamens go dormant?
Yes, indoor cyclamens can go dormant, but some may not. It depends on the temperature they’re exposed to, along with other environmental factors.
Now that you understand the time of year to expect it, and the signs of cyclamen dormancy, you’ll never mistakenly throw away a live plant. Use my tips to navigate the resting period so you can enjoy yours year after year.
If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plants, then you need my Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every plant in your home thriving. Download your copy now!
More About Plant Dormancy
- Dormant Amaryllis Care, Timing, Preparation, & How To Revive It
- Overwintering & Storing Canna Lily Bulbs – The Complete Guide
- How To Overwinter Plumeria (Frangipani) Plants Indoors
- How To Bring A Plant Out Of Dormancy
Share your tips about cyclamen dormancy in the comments section below.
Patricia Molnar says
Hi, I dug up some cyclamens a neigbor offered me in the summer (July in Atlanta) but damaged some in the digging process (very hard ground). I plan on air dying and paper bagging until mid-fall. What should I do with the damamged ones? Someone suggested dusting with cinnamon.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, cinnamon powder can prevent rot on your damaged cyclman bulbs. Dust the damaged area before curing the bulbs, and then store them in a dry location. I would store them in a different paper bag then the non-damaged ones, just in case they do rot – so it won’t spread to the healthy bulbs.
Heidi says
Someone gave me a bag of cyclamen bulbs/tubers. They have no leaves or foliage a couple of them have some corkscrew things growing out the top
. It is Mid June and I am in Oregon. Should I leave them in a pot or paper bag in my cool dark space inside for 2-3 months and plant them in fall?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, I would keep them dormant and wait to plant them until fall.
emc says
I fear I killed my cyclamen but, willing to try saving it with your advice. I pretty much did everything wrong in caring for it and suspect the bulb has root rot. If it feels like the tuber is still viable, do I cut the stems all the way down to the tuber or leave an inch or so? Can I set it in a small pot as-is or should I put in a paper bag? Thanks! (Just found your site and looking forward to learning a lot from you!)
Amy Andrychowicz says
If your cyclamen bulb feels firm and doesn’t have any brown soft spots, then it is most likely just dormant. Once the foliage dies back, you can remove it down to the top of the bulb. Then store it either in the pot or in a paper bag, whichever is easiest for you.
emc says
Thank you!! I forgot to ask if I should leave all the roots as-is but, will review the article again. Wish us luck!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, you can leave the roots as is, no harm there. Good luck!!
diane says
thank you for your imfomation i have a cyclimon out in my garden in the summer i thought it had died but now its december and it is flowering
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, so happy to hear your cyclamen broke dormancy and is blooming again! How fun!
frank barany says
Hi and thank you for the article.
I’ve overwintered a few cyclamen, keeping them in a cool and dark basement. When I checked them a few days ago they were shooting but but more like sprouting. The shoots were long and purple like shoots on old potatoes.
I cut the shoots off and brought the plants in to the house in a room with fairly low levels of light and they seem to be doing the same thing. They are obviously alive and ready to grow again. But what do I do with them to ensure they start to grow normal leaves rather than sprouting?
Thank you
Frank
Amy Andrychowicz says
I would bring your cyclamen out of dormancy and let it grow, seeing new leaves is a sign that it’s ready to go. Give it some water and move it to a cool but bright location and resume normal care. How exciting!
Mike says
I fell in love with Greek Cyclamen (Cyclamen graecum) when I saw them blooming all over the hot, bone-dry ruins in the Peloponnese a few years ago. I live in San Jose, Calif., which has a similar climate, so I thought Greek cyclamen might be a good rock garden plant for me (along with my other drought-tolerant and California-native plants).
I bought some seeds online, and a number of them germinated. Several seem to have thrived for the past two years in the cell packs where they sprouted, with corms nearly 1/3 inch inch in diameter and 2 to 4 leaves. They’re now beginning their next summer dormancy.
I’m thinking that I should put each in a proper pot for next season’s growth (and, perhaps, blooms). Should I remove them from the cell pack soon after they dry out … and keep them as bare root during dormancy? Or leave them in the dry cell pack until nearly the time when I’ll repot them and start watering them?
Thanks for your excellent guide. (I likely would have had even more success if I’d learned about the bottom/tray watering earlier.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! Since your cyclamen seedlings have been doing well so far, I would just leave them in the trays and pot them up just before they’re ready to break dormancy.
Michele says
my cyclamen has not flowered in a few years. it grows beautiful leaves, but no flowers. I live in Long Island, NY. I keep it up high with window light and water regularly. Why no flowerz
Amy Andrychowicz says
Has your cyclamen ever gone dormant? Most types need a period of dormancy during the summer in order to rebloom.
Jbird says
Hi, I’m back with another question about dormancy. I just put my cyclamen to rest in our basement. With it being May, even if I leave my plant resting for the full 3 months, it will still only be august when it’s due to wake up and it can be very hot and humid where I live that time of year. It can be well into sept before it stays consistently cool so I’m not sure how I’d manage bringing the plant out of dormancy. One thing for sure is that the plant had months of blossoms and finally showed classic signs of wanting to go dormant. I really hope I can be successful with this plant.
Thank you!!!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Don’t worry, your cyclamen will know when it’s ready to break dormancy. Check on it in 2 months, and then weekly, to see if it has any new leaves. If there’s still nothing after 3 months, bring it out and give it a good soaking to rehydrate the bulb. Then leave it be until it starts growing new leaves, which usually takes a few weeks. Keep it in a cool area with bright light. Good luck!
Jbird says
Okay, I’ll follow your instructions and see how it goes. I’m very anxious to see if this plant comes back!
Thanks so much for your guidance, this is a new adventure for me so your help is appreciated!!
Anna says
Hi Amy, really useful article! I live in Cyprus and I have a planted bed of cyclamen which did great for the first 1-2 years. I recently planted a small tree next to them and most of the cyclamen have since stopped growing back during the winter. Are they dead – and why? The bed is automatically watered 2-3 times all year round, is that hurting the cyclamen? Can I do something to being them back? Thanks so much for your advice!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Most trees shouldn’t hurt cyclamen, but some are allelopathic, which means they can kill surrounding plants (you’ll have to do some research to see if your tree is that type). If that’s not the problem, then your cyclamen might be getting too much water. They like the soil to stay on the dry side, and dry out completely during dormancy. Read my full cyclamen care guide for more information.
Jbird says
This is a great article, thank you. I find that by watering from below my cyclamen is very happy during bloom season. When I bring it out of dormancy should I resume watering from below? I know you said to soak the bulb, should I still do that until blooms return? The plant is gorgeous and I want to keep it happy as long as possible.
Thank you
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it! Yes, you’ve got it! They prefer to be bottom-watered, and don’t like their leaves to be wet. Just give your dormant cyclamen bulb one deep drink/soaking to help wake it up, then water normally after you start to see new growth. You never want to the soil to dry out completely when you’re trying to break dormancy, so keep it evenly moist, but also take great care not to maintain wet or soggy soil. I have a whole section about watering in my detailed cyclamen care guide, so take a look at that for more details.
Julie Hargreaves says
I live in Perth, Western Australia and have 2 Cyclamen – a white and a deep pink. They both had dieback of leaves early summer so I took off the dead leaves on both plants and stopped watering for just a week not knowing what I know now after reading your advice, and then recommenced very light watering just twice a week. The white one lost all foliage but the pink one bounced back. I now gave new leaves emerging on the white one but they are very small. We are about to enter autumn so I’m assuming that I should continue light watering and the white one should come back. The bulb is quite solid
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, keep doing what you’re doing and I would expect your white cyclamen to come back too. Good luck, I hope they’ll bloom for you this winter!
Willy Leveillee says
Thank you. Purchased in early December in northern Ontario and in full bloom. Indoor temperature may have shortened blooming period and overwatering another pitfall. Your article was an eye opener and easy to understand. 🌺
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, glad you found the article helpful.
Suzanne Reckel says
I bought a cyclamen early summertime. It was about $1.00 or less and looking yellowish-brown. I put it outside and watered it (in the same pot it came in) just to see what would happen. I had no idea what kind of plant it was but I have bought and brought many a plant back to life. Our summer in southern NJ was hot and dry this year. Anyway, this plant grew beautiful green healthy leaves and velvety deep pink flowers. Just the opposite of its supposed dormancy. Now, it’s the beginning of November and it seems to be going dormant! I guess I will treat it as its moods arise! I shall be putting him to bed shortly! Any insight would be appreciated. Thank You, Suzanne
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, treating it as its moods arise is the best way to do it. Your cyclamen is probably confused about when to go dormant because the growers force them to bloom off-season for retail sale, and it can take a few years before it settles back into a normal rhythm.