Cyclamen refers to about 20 species of tuberous flowering plants from the Mediterranean. Florist's cyclamen is usually found at flower shops sold as tender potted plants. Although these propagate from seeds and root division, the process is difficult, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension. Hardy cyclamen, which can be grown outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 9, reproduce from concave tubers. These plants grow to 6 inches in height and produce one pink flower per stem.
Select a site that’s mostly exposed to the sun but that also receives some shade during the day.
Break up the soil sometime between late summer and fall and incorporate 2 inches of compost into the ground to a depth of 4 to 6 inches.
Dig a shallow hole close to the surface to accommodate the hardy cyclamen tuber.
Set the tuber in the hole with its concave side up. Cover it lightly with soil so it is hardly buried. If planting more than one tuber, space them 6 inches from each other.
Water the tuber and keep it moist without making the site soggy. Wait until the soil surface dries up to irrigate again.
Things You Will Need
- Shovel
- Pickax
- Compost
- Hardy cyclamen tuber
- Water
Tip
- Hardy cyclamen likes soil with a pH higher than 6.0. A soil test tells you whether it's necessary to amend your soil with lime to make the ground alkaline. It might take one year for the new plant to begin to flower.
