The leaves on the trees are discolored and are already falling off. The cyclamen is in the bed and has already set its first flower buds. What are you waiting for? It's long past time to bring in the cyclamen!
How do I protect cyclamen from frost?
To protect frost-sensitive cyclamens in winter, you can pile up compost, add leaves on top, lay brushwood over the leaves, stop fertilizing from September onwards and do not water when there is frost. Hardy species can tolerate temperatures down to -25 °C.
Frost outside and flowers inside
Most perennials bloom in summer. However, the cyclamen doesn't think much of being like everyone else. It blooms when autumn is raging, winter is approaching and spring is approaching. In short: it blooms when it is uncomfortable outside.
It brings color with its purple, pink, pink or white flowers. Therefore, it is advisable to bring the cyclamen indoors when there is frost outside and it is willing to bloom.
Frost is not a problem for many species
But it is not always possible to bring in the cyclamen. This is not a problem for some species such as summer cyclamen, autumn cyclamen and early spring cyclamen. They are hardy down to -25 °C.
Get warm
Before a sensitive cyclamen like the indoor cyclamen is attacked in winter, you should bring it inside. Many gardeners plant their cyclamen in early summer so that it can retreat to the shade and recover. In the fall it moves back indoors to bloom throughout the winter.
Protecting cyclamens that stay outside
Cyclamens that remain in the garden and are considered poorly frost-hardy should be protected over the winter. It would be ideal to overwinter them in a frost-free place.
Here are tips on how to protect a cyclamen that is sensitive to frost outside:
- pile up with compost soil
- Give leaves over it
- Laying brushwood over the leaves
- don’t fertilize anymore from September
- do not water when it is frosty
A cyclamen should stay on the balcony? Not unprotected! If it cannot be put inside, its pot (€16.00 on Amazon) should be covered with fleece or a jute bag. The pot is then placed on a Styrofoam block directly on the protective house wall.
Tips & Tricks
As soon as winter is over (around March) the cyclamen can move out again and get some fresh air.
