What hardiness zones is Cyclamen coum suitable for?

Cyclamen coum is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Cyclamen coum?

Cyclamen coum requires Part Shade.

How much water does Cyclamen coum need?

Cyclamen coum has Low water needs.

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Bulbs

Cyclamen coum

Spring cyclamen

Primulaceae

Turkey, Caucasus, Lebanon, Syria, Bulgaria, and southeastern Europe; deciduous woodlands and rocky slopes

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At a Glance

TypeBulb

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height3-4 inches (7-10 cm)

Width4-6 inches (10-15 cm)

Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Cyclamen coum is spring cyclamen (eastern cyclamen), a tuberous perennial growing 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) tall and 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) wide. Pink, magenta, or white flowers with reflexed (swept-back) petals 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-2 cm) and a darker magenta basal blotch in January-March (6 weeks). Dark green rounded to kidney-shaped leaves 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) with variable silver markings. Foliage emerges in fall (October-November) and persists through winter — summer-dormant. In Primulaceae. Grows from a flattened round tuber. Native to Turkey, the Caucasus, Lebanon, and southeastern Europe. After flowering, the stalk coils into a spiral, pulling the seed capsule to the ground — ant-dispersed (myrmecochory). Distinguished from C. hederifolium by rounded kidney-shaped leaves (not ivy-lobed) and shorter rounder petals. Plant tubers 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) deep with the concave side up. Tolerates alkaline soil (pH to 8.0). Self-sows slowly via ant dispersal. All parts toxic (saponins — cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested). Deer-resistant. Drought-tolerant during summer dormancy. Zones 5-9. Part shade to full shade. Growth rate is slow.

Native Range

Native to Turkey, Caucasus, Lebanon, Syria, Bulgaria, and southeastern Europe. Found in deciduous woodlands and rocky slopes.

Suggested Uses

Grown under deciduous trees, in woodland gardens, rock gardens, and in containers of at least 1 gallon (3.8 L), spaced 4-6 inches (10-15 cm). Late winter flower display. Silver-marked winter foliage. Self-sows slowly. Toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 5-9.

How to Identify

Identified by small pink or white reflexed flowers emerging from bare soil in late winter above rounded to kidney-shaped silver-marked leaves. The rounded kidney-shaped leaves and the short round petals distinguish C. coum from C. hederifolium (ivy-lobed leaves, longer pointed petals, fall-blooming). In Primulaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3" - 4"

Width/Spread4" - 6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Winter Spring

Late winter to early spring (January-March). Pink, magenta, or white reflexed flowers 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-2 cm) with magenta basal blotch. 6 weeks. Bee-visited on warm winter days. Ant-dispersed seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink, magenta, or white with a darker magenta basal blotch, reflexed (swept-back) petals, 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-2 cm); shorter and rounder petals than C. hederifolium

Foliage Description

Dark green with silver markings (patterns vary from solid silver to mottled or zoned), rounded to kidney-shaped, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm); foliage emerges in fall (October-November) and persists through winter and spring — dormant in summer

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade Full Shade

Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part shade to full shade (2-4 hours — under deciduous trees). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-8.0 (tolerates alkaline). Plant tubers 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) deep with concave side up in fall. Summer-dormant. Self-sows slowly. All parts toxic (saponins). Deer-resistant. Zones 5-9.

Pruning

No pruning needed. Allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally in late spring (May-June). Do not disturb tubers during summer dormancy.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans