Keeping a cyclamen in your room – anyone can do that. But what does it look like when this perennial moves to the balcony? Can it tolerate the temperatures and what should you pay special attention to when caring for it?
Can you keep cyclamen on the balcony?
Cyclamens can be kept on the balcony if they are protected from frost and intense heat. Temperatures between 10 and 15 °C are ideal. In winter the pot should be insulated and frost-free; In summer a shady place is recommended. Regular watering and moderate fertilization are important.
Cyclamens feel more comfortable in cool conditions
Cyclamens do not like high temperatures. They feel more comfortable in the cool. If the apartment is overheated in autumn and winter, the balcony is just the right place for the cyclamen on frost-free days. Temperatures between 10 and 15 °C are ideal. Then cyclamen bloom much longer than in the warm room.
In winter: Don't let the pot freeze
It shouldn't get too cold at the location. Many cyclamens do not tolerate frost. If you still want them to spend the winter outside on the balcony, you need to protect them properly.
A place near the wall of the house should be considered for overwintering. Cyclamen are protected there. Additionally you should do the following:
- Cover the pot with jute (€12.00 on Amazon) or fleece
- place a block of Styrofoam or wood underneath it
- tear out old leaves and wilted flowers
- check good drainage in the pot
In summer: Protect yourself from heat death
Temperatures often exceed 30 °C in summer. The heat builds up on the balcony and the temperatures can climb even higher. For this reason, an east, west or south balcony is not a suitable location for cyclamen in summer. They would succumb to the heat. It is better to plant them in a shady, cool place in the garden.
What should you pay attention to when caring for it?
- check the soil for moisture even when it rains
- fertilize moderately with liquid fertilizer
- water regularly
- Plucking out wilted flowers
- tear out yellowed leaves
- inspect for pest or disease infestation
- repot regularly
- drain excess water
Which companion plants are suitable
The colors of the cyclamen look harmoniously coordinated next to the sedum, several chrysanthemums, the winter heather or heather. Cyclamen also look wonderful next to leadwort during their flowering period.
Tips & Tricks
If you have cats in your house, you should be extremely careful. They could jump onto the balcony railing or discover the poisonous cyclamen in the pot somewhere else and nibble on it.
