Cyclamen is a flowering plant that grows from a tuber. It is a popular plant during the Christmas season and winter because of its vibrant flowers and its ability to bloom during the cooler months. Cyclamen is often divided into indoor and outdoor Cyclamen types.
What is the difference between Indoor and Outdoor Cyclamen? Indoor Cyclamen are not winter-hardy and must stay inside during cooler months, while outdoor Cyclamen are winter-hardy and thrive outside, even in snow.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Indoor Cyclamen
– Definition, Features
2. What is Outdoor Cyclamen
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Indoor and Outdoor Cyclamen
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Cyclamen
– Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Indoor and Outdoor Cyclamen
– Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Key Terms
Indoor Cyclamen, Outdoor Cyclamen, Florist’s Cyclamen, Hardy Cyclamen
What is Indoor Cyclamen
Indoor Cyclamen, also known as Florist’s Cyclamen, is a flowering plant that grows from a tuber. It’s a popular choice among florists due to its compact size and beautiful flowers. These plants usually grow about 6 to 9 inches tall and have heart-shaped leaves. Their flowers have a sweet scent. They come in various colors, like white, pink, red, magenta, and lavender. Cyclamen generally bloom from early winter to spring. Therefore, people commonly use them for Christmas decorations. During the summer, they go dormant and require less care.
Indoor Cyclamen aren’t winter-hardy, so they need to stay inside where temperatures are more stable. In warm months, you can place them outdoors, but they should be brought back inside as soon as nights turn cool. Cyclamen usually blooms for six to eight weeks in winter. To help them bloom again, you have to remove spent flowers and dead leaves. After the blooming season, reduce watering and keep them in a cool spot. This dormant period helps the plant recharge for next year’s bloom.
While blooming, Cyclamen need consistently moist soil and bright, indirect sunlight. During dormancy, let the soil dry out between waterings to avoid root rot. You can fertilize them when they’re blooming, but cut back once the flowers fade.
What is Outdoor Cyclamen
Outdoor Cyclamen, also called hardy Cyclamen, are tough plants that thrive best when kept outside year-round. While you can bring them indoors for a short time as decoration, they don’t like warm indoor temperatures and won’t stay healthy for long. These cyclamen plants prefer shaded or partially shaded areas in your garden, where they can enjoy cool conditions. You can also grow outdoor Cyclamen in pots on a patio or balcony.
Outdoor Cyclamen grow well in very well-draining soil, so avoid planting them in spots that stay soggy. During their growing season, which happens in fall and winter, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. In spring and summer, when the plant goes dormant, let the soil dry out between waterings. Hardy Cyclamen are resilient and bloom beautifully in the winter months, even in snowy conditions.
Similarities Between Indoor and Outdoor Cyclamen
- Both indoor and outdoor Cyclamen grow from tubers and have similar heart-shaped leaves.
- They bloom during the cooler months, generally from fall to early spring.
- Both require well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
- They enter a dormant period during the warmer months (spring and summer).
- Both need careful watering: soil should be moist during the growing season and drier during dormancy.
Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Cyclamen
Definition
- Indoor Cyclamen are not winter-hardy and must stay inside during cooler months, while outdoor Cyclamen are winter-hardy and thrives outside, even in snow.
Growing Conditions
- Indoor Cyclamen prefers bright, indirect sunlight and consistent indoor temperatures, while outdoor Cyclamen grows best in shaded or partially shaded spots in the garden.
Use and Placement
- Indoor Cyclamen is used as a houseplant or holiday decoration but outdoor Cyclamen is ideal for gardens, patios, or balconies and struggles to thrive indoors due to warmer temperatures.
FAQ: Indoor and Outdoor Cyclamen
1. Should Cyclamen be inside or outside?
It depends on the type of Cyclamen. Indoor Cyclamen (Florist’s Cyclamen) should stay inside, especially in cool weather. Outdoor Cyclamen (Hardy Cyclamen) are better suited to staying outside year-round, even in winter.
2. Can all Cyclamen be planted outside?
No, not all Cyclamen can be planted outside. Hardy Cyclamen can handle outdoor conditions, even in winter. But indoor Cyclamen need to stay inside because they can’t survive cold weather.
3. How long do outdoor Cyclamen last?
Outdoor Cyclamen can last for many years if you care for it properly. They bloom in winter and go dormant in summer. This cycle repeats each year.
4. Do Cyclamen like sun or shade?
Cyclamen (both indoor and outdoor Cyclamen) prefer shade or partial shade. Too much direct sun can cause harm to them.
5. Why are my outdoor Cyclamen dying?
Your Cyclamen may be dying due to overwatering, poor drainage, or exposure to too much direct sunlight. Make sure the soil drains well and provide partial shade.
Reference:
1. “Cyclamen persicum.” NC State University.
2. “Cyclamen: hardy.” RHS.
Image Courtesy:
1.”Close-up Photo of Cyclamen Persicum” (CC0) via Pexels
2. “Cyclamen in window (3)” By Julie Kertesz (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via Flickr
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