Sowbread
Cyclamen hederifolium · Primulaceae
📷 Meneerke bloem · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Tubercules et toutes parties toxiques : troubles digestifs, irritation buccale par ingestion chez chiens/chats et enfants.
The gardener's calendar
Sowbread is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Cyclamen hederifolium
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Plant type
- Perennial bulb
- Adult height
- 15 cm
- Flowering
- September to November
- Foliage
- Evergreen, patterned with gray and white
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-15 °C)
- Origin
- Mediterranean Basin (Italy, Balkans)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Cyclamen hederifolium thrives in dry, well-draining soil under deciduous trees: plant the tubers just at soil level, avoid burying them. No watering during the rest period (summer).
The common mistake
Regularly watering throughout summer thinking you're doing the right thing: the tuber rots, it's a certain death sentence.
The pro's trick
Let the seeds fall and germinate naturally on the spot: the plants will multiply on their own without any effort, and you'll gain whole colonies within a few years.
Seasonal watch
In August-September, before flowering, check that the soil hasn't become too compacted: loosen it gently without disturbing the tubers.
Care
Watering
Keep the soil slightly moist during growth and flowering (September to December), then reduce gradually. In summer, during dormancy, let the soil dry out almost completely. Never wet the tuber directly, as it may rot. Water from the base or soak the pot instead.
Exposure
Place Neapolitan cyclamen in partial shade or indirect light, ideally at the base of deciduous trees. It tolerates semi-shaded garden areas and even benefits from shade in summer. Avoid direct afternoon sun, which would scorch the delicate foliage.
Soil and planting
Choose well-draining soil rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. Mix in compost or peat when planting. Plant the tuber on the surface (not buried), with the top slightly exposed. Good air circulation prevents fungal diseases.
Fertilization
Apply diluted liquid fertilizer every 15 days during flowering (September to November). Use a balanced formula or one slightly higher in potassium. Stop feeding from June until late summer growth resumes.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is necessary. Regularly remove spent flowers and dead leaves to encourage blooming and prevent rot. Leave the foliage in place until it naturally disappears in June-July.
Diseases and pests
Neapolitan cyclamen fears stagnant moisture and tuber rot above all. Ensure good air circulation and follow moderate watering practices. Watch for thrips or mites that distort foliage. Excess nitrogen or insufficient ventilation favor fungal diseases.
Did you know?
Neapolitan cyclamen was once cultivated in pots by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who considered it a magical plant capable of easing childbirth. Its tuber, which Neapolitans call "cyclamen bread," was long used for medicinal purposes, though it is toxic if ingested. Today, this rare wild species is protected in certain regions of Italy, reflecting its natural decline in the Mediterranean environment.
Where to buy it
Plant the bulbs in autumn for spring flowering. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from September to November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Dotted loosestrifeLysimachia punctata
- African BoxwoodMyrsine africana
- Eastern sowbreadCyclamen coum
- Yellow loosestrifeLysimachia vulgaris
- CowslipPrimula veris
- Scarlet pimpernelLysimachia arvensis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.