Hardy cyclamen: planting, dividing and storing the tuber

Store	Tuber. Knobbly, with eyes or dimples; solid when cut.
Depth	2-3 cm to the base of the tuber
Spacing	10-15 cm apart
When	Plant in autumn. Plant: from your first autumn frost to 6 weeks after. Work out your dates.
Pets	Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses (ASPCA)

Store

Tuber. Knobbly, with eyes or dimples; solid when cut.

Depth

2-3 cm to the base of the tuber

Spacing

10-15 cm apart

When

Plant in autumn. Plant: from your first autumn frost to 6 weeks after. Work out your dates.

Pets

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses (ASPCA)

About Hardy cyclamen

A flat tuber, marbled leaves and pink autumn flowers. Roots come from the top and sides, not the base. The tuber grows larger every year.

Depth and spacing

Typical range: 2-3 cm deep and 10-15 cm apart. A general rule is to plant at two to three times the height of the tuber; check the label for your variety. The drawing is to scale for 2.5 cm deep and 12.5 cm apart (the size of the organ is illustrative); try your own measurements.

When to plant

Plant in autumn. Plant: from your first autumn frost to 6 weeks after. These are rules of thumb for the northern hemisphere. Enter your frost dates for real dates.

Dividing and propagating

Cyclamen is grown from seed; tubers are not divided. Seed ripens under coiled stalks in summer.

Lifting and storing

Plant with the tuber barely covered; bought dry tubers are less reliable than potted plants.

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses

The ASPCA lists Cyclamen spp as: toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses. Toxic principle: Terpenoid saponins. Signs: Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea. Following large ingestions of tubers: heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures, death If your pet has chewed any part, call your vet or an animal poison helpline. ASPCA entry.

Hardy cyclamen