What hardiness zones is Cyclamen hederifolium suitable for?

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

What are the sun requirements for Cyclamen hederifolium?

Cyclamen hederifolium requires Part Shade.

How much water does Cyclamen hederifolium need?

Cyclamen hederifolium has Low water needs.

Cyclamen hederifolium, ivy-leaved cyclamen

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Perennials

Cyclamen hederifolium

ivy-leaved cyclamen

PrimulaceaeEurope, Asia

At a Glance

TypeBulb

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height4–6 inches (10–15 cm)

Width6–9 inches (15–23 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.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Container Friendly

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Cyclamen hederifolium, commonly called ivy-leaved cyclamen or autumn cyclamen, is a tuberous perennial in the family Primulaceae, native to Mediterranean woodland, scrub, and rocky slopes from southern France and Italy east through the Balkans to western Turkey. Plants grow 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) tall, producing flat rounded tubers that can exceed 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter in old specimens, rooting from the top and sides. Flowers appear in autumn, August through November, before or alongside the emerging leaves — reflexed, swept-back petals in shades of pale to deep pink or white, each with a darker magenta blotch at the base. Foliage emerges as flowers fade, displaying ivy-shaped leaves with two to three angled lobes per side in highly variable silver and green patterning that persists through winter and spring, then yellows and disappears in summer dormancy. Cyclamen hederifolium is the hardiest and most vigorous of the cultivated cyclamen, tolerating temperatures to -10°F (-23°C) when established and self-seeding freely in suitable conditions. All parts are toxic to dogs and cats; the tuber contains the highest concentration of saponins. The species has received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.

Native Range

Native to the Mediterranean basin, ranging from southern France, Corsica, Sardinia, and Italy east through the Balkans, Greece, and western Turkey. The species grows in deciduous and mixed woodland, rocky scrub, and garrigue, typically in well-drained, alkaline to neutral soils under deciduous canopy. Not native to North America; widely cultivated in Pacific Northwest gardens where it thrives under deciduous trees and in dry shade conditions.

Suggested Uses

Cyclamen hederifolium is among the most effective plants for dry shade under large deciduous trees, where its late-summer to autumn flowers and persistent patterned winter foliage provide multi-season interest when little else thrives. Plant in large naturalistic drifts with Cyclamen coum for near year-round cyclamen bloom — hederifolium in autumn and coum in late winter to early spring. Well suited to shaded rock gardens, woodland garden paths, and underplanting beneath shrubs where summer drought is common.

How to Identify

Ivy-leaved cyclamen is identified by its ivy-shaped leaves with two to three angled lobes per side, ranging from solid green to all-silver or variously marbled and patterned in silver and green — highly variable but consistent in shape. Flowers appear in autumn before or alongside the leaves, with five sharply reflexed petals in pink or white with a darker magenta-purple blotch at each petal base, a characteristic cyclamen form. The large, flat, rounded tuber at soil surface rooting from the top distinguishes it from Cyclamen coum, which roots from the sides and bottom. Spent flowers are pulled down to soil level by coiling stems as seeds develop, depositing seed capsules at the base of the plant.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 6"

Width/Spread6" - 9"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

white

Foliage Colors

green

silver

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Fall

Cyclamen hederifolium blooms in autumn, typically August through November in Pacific Northwest gardens, making it a valuable late-season flowering perennial. Individual plants bloom for six to ten weeks. Flowering begins while the plant is still fully dormant, with bare stems emerging directly from the tuber before foliage appears. Foliage develops from October onward and persists through winter and spring until summer dormancy in June or July.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pale to deep pink or white with darker magenta basal blotch

Foliage Description

Deep green to silver or silver-marbled green with ivy-shaped lobing

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade

Full Shade

Requires 1-4 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 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3–4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant Cyclamen hederifolium tubers in late summer with the top of the tuber at or just below soil surface in well-drained, humus-rich soil under deciduous trees or shrubs. The species requires excellent drainage during summer dormancy; waterlogged soil causes tuber rot. In Pacific Northwest gardens, the dry shade beneath large conifers or deciduous trees is ideal. Apply a thin top-dressing of leaf mould each autumn to replenish organic matter around the tuber. Once established, the species is drought-tolerant in summer and requires no supplemental irrigation. Do not disturb the tuber once planted; established plants resent transplanting. Encourage self-seeding by leaving ripe seed capsules in place — seedlings take three to four years to reach flowering size but gradually form naturalized colonies.

Pruning

No pruning is required. Allow foliage to yellow and wither naturally in late spring as plants enter summer dormancy; do not remove leaves prematurely. Spent flower stems coil down to soil level naturally and do not require removal. Top-dress with leaf mould in autumn each year. Lift and divide only when absolutely necessary, as plants establish slowly after disturbance.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets