Cyclamen: A Winter Gem for Pots, Window Boxes, and the Garden

 

Cyclamen are one of the brightest highlights of the colder months, bringing colour, texture, and elegance just when most flowers are fading away. Whether you’re filling winter pots, designing a festive window box, or refreshing a shady garden corner, cyclamen deliver dependable beauty and surprising resilience.

But not all cyclamen are the same. From compact hybrids that thrive in containers to hardy garden species like Cyclamen hederifolium and Cyclamen coum, each has something unique to offer. Here’s how to choose the right type—and how to plant them for perfect winter displays.

Understanding the Different Types of Cyclamen

1. Cyclamen Hybrid (Bedding Cyclamen)

These are the vibrant, showy cyclamen you’ll commonly see in garden centres during autumn and winter.

Hybrid Cyclamen. ©Windyridge Garden Centre

Features:

• Large, upright blooms in vivid colours
• Beautiful marbled foliage, some with more silver tones
• Flower from autumn and well into winter
• Best for pots, containers, and window boxes
• Prefer cool temperatures but sheltered from frost

Perfect for:
Doorstep pots, festive planters, window boxes, table displays. NB: the larger the cyclamen the more tender it is in frost.

Hybrid cyclamen, super serie picasso (silver foliage), ©Windyridge Garden Centre

2. Cyclamen hederifolium

A hardy perennial species, ideal for naturalising in the garden.

Cyclamen Hederifolium, Photo by Bernd 📷 Dittrich

Features:

• Flowers in October and November
• Followed by beautiful ivy-shaped marbled leaves
• Very tough and easy to grow under trees or shrubs
• Spreads slowly to create carpets over time

Perfect for:
Woodland gardens, shady borders, the base of trees, naturalistic plantings. It holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit.

3. Cyclamen coum

A hardy species that flowers later in the winter season.

Cyclamen Coum, Photo by Adam Dennis

Features:

• Blooms from mid-winter into early spring (January to April)
• Rounded, heart-shaped leaves
• Performs well even in very cold conditions
• Tolerates deep shade better than most winter flowers

Perfect for:
Winter gardens, shady beds, naturalising under shrubs, early-spring interest. It also holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit.

How to Plant Cyclamen (Hybrid Types for Pots & Planters)

Cyclamen bedding hybrids are perfect for brightening up cold-weather containers. Follow these simple steps for strong, long-lasting displays:

🪴 Planting Instructions

1. Choose a pot with good drainage.
   Cyclamen hate sitting in water; a well-draining multipurpose compost works perfectly.
2. Plant at the same depth as the nursery pot.
   Avoid burying the corm—keep the crown just above the soil line.
3. Water sparingly.
   Water around the base, not over the foliage. Allow the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
4. Feed lightly and dead head regularly
   A low-nitrogen liquid feed every few weeks keeps flowers coming. When deadheading, pull the flowering stem to prevent the plant from going to seed as this will weaken the plant and slow down further flowering.
5. Keep cool.
   Ideal temperatures are between 5–15°C. Too much heat can cause them to flop.

Beautiful Planting Ideas for Pots & Window Boxes

Cyclamen combine brilliantly with other winter-interest plants. Here are some stunning combinations:

1. Classic Winter Pot (Festive & Fresh)

• Red or white cyclamen
• Helleborus 'Christmas Carol'
• Ivy trailing gently over the edge optional
• Skimmia ‘Rubella’ or Skimmia japonica for structure
  

 

2. Frosty Woodland Window Box

• Cyclamen Coum
• Skimmia Rubella 
• Ivy or trailing vinca
• 'Silver Crest' Pine for height
• Evergreen fern

 

3. Textured evergreen bowl

• White Cyclamen
• Calocephalus Brownii
• Evergreen ferns
• Euphorbia for height
• Helleborus 'Mallory'
• Erica, winter heather
• Spring flowering bulbs to extend the flowering season

 

4. Minimalist Modern Planter

• Pure white cyclamen
• Dwarf pine or juniper
• Helleborus 'Christmas Carol'
• noble pine cuttings

Planting Cyclamen hederifolium & Cyclamen coum in the Garden

Although these hardy cyclamen look delicate, they’re incredibly tough and long-lived.

Planting Steps

1. Choose partial or dappled shade.
   Under deciduous trees or shrubs is perfect.
2. Use well-drained soil.
   They dislike wet winter soil. Add grit if your soil is heavy.
3. Plant the corm just below the surface.
   About 2–3 cm deep—shallow planting works best.
4. Allow them space to naturalise.
   These plants gradually form beautiful drifts over time.
5. Leave foliage to die back naturally.
   Like for all flowering bulbs, the leaves feed the corm for next year’s flowers.

Which Should You Choose?

Type	Best For	When They Flower	Hardiness
Cyclamen Hybrid	Pots, window boxes, front door displays	Autumn–Winter	Moderately hardy; protect from frost
Cyclamen hederifolium	Woodland gardens, naturalising	Late Summer–Autumn	Fully hardy
Cyclamen coum	Winter garden, shady beds	Winter–Early Spring	Fully hardy

Together, these three types can give you colour from late summer all the way into spring.

Final Thoughts

Cyclamen are among the most rewarding plants of the cold season—elegant, long-lasting, and perfectly suited to Irish gardens and winter containers. Whether you're creating a festive front-door display or designing a woodland corner, there’s a cyclamen for every style.

If you’d like help choosing the perfect winter plants or creating a tailored planting plan, our team can guide you through all the best combinations.