11 Cyclamen Varieties That Bloom in Fall

Autumn in all its transitional beauty, lets us appreciate the details. Hardy cyclamen varieties awaken in the fall with welcome sails of color, brightening the landscape as other bloomers fade. Cyclamen, with mottled, heart-shaped leaves, offer a sweet choice of white, pink, purple, and red. Depending on the species, they bloom from late summer to late fall, giving weeks of color and handsome foliage until summer dormancy – when they thrive on neglect.

Beyond the popular florist species are hardy cyclamen, low-growing perennials whose marathon durability belies their delicate appearance and small stature. Hardy species perennialize to form a charming carpet of cool season color with upright bunches of blooms. 

Cyclamen’s foliage is a main draw, attractive even when plants aren’t in flower. The shapely and patterned leaves are impactful in a mass or naturalized woodland drift. Amazingly, these hardy species can live for a century.

Cyclamen Basics

Hardy cyclamen produce nodding blooms with upright petals, rising in a bunch above deep green leaves. Cyclamen hederifolium and Cyclamen coum are common hardy species and are smaller relatives of the florist’s cyclamen, C. persicum. C. hederifolium is the hardiest and easiest to grow, with fragrant pink blooms from late summer to October and November. C. coum blooms mid-to-late winter and into spring with a profusion of pink-purple flowers. 

There are 24 species of cyclamen, and they belong to the primrose (Primulaceae) family. Most fall-bloomers are hardy in USDA zones 5-9 (sometimes 4). Florist cyclamen became popular in 1600s Victorian gardens and conservatories when greenhouse-grown selections blooming in winter brought cheer. Potted florist specimens remain the top market for cyclamens today.

The tuberous perennials are native primarily to the Mediterranean region, where winters are cool and wet, and summers are hot and dry. They adapt to various climates in well-draining soils and partial to full shade. They enter summer dormancy as temperatures warm and reemerge in autumn (good drainage is essential so resting roots don’t get waterlogged). 

Grow cyclamen under tree canopy or shrubs for the best situation. Pair them with clumping plants that won’t overtake them, like hosta, anemone, epimedium, ferns, and spring-flowering bulbs like snowdrops. They make excellent rock garden, alpine, and container options as a complement to evergreen anchors and other perennials. As low growers, they are best in large groups, borders, and along walkways in naturalized arrangements.

C. hederifolium

	botanical name Cyclamen hederifolium
	height 4-6”

We’ll begin with the most commonly grown fall-blooming species, which generates numerous top-performing seed strains. C. hederifolium (commonly, hardy or ivy-leaved cyclamen) is robust, reliable, and easy to grow among the genus.

Hardy cyclamen yields a profusion of flowers in late summer and fall. Reflexed petals appear in white and pink on single stems right from the tuber. The ivy-shaped foliage is dark forest green with variations in silver patterning, from mottled to veined to flecked.

The perennials spread through tubers and reseed to form colonies. They tolerate dry shade, a situation other plants may find challenging. This one achieved the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

‘Album’

	botanical name Cyclamen hederifolium var. hederifolium f. albiflorum
	height 4-6″

‘Album’ is another award-winning cyclamen variety with pure white flowers that rise in the fall before or with the emergence of the leaves. Each bloom nods gently with blousy, upright petals. The crisp white inflorescences brighten the woodland floor and are classic against the deep green backdrop. 

Broad, heart-shaped leaves have distinct pewter patterning to complement the cooling blooms. This is a graceful variety with strong performance, as indicated by its Award of Garden Merit status.

In moderate climates, blooms emerge in late summer and last through October. Leaves remain green all winter and spring until summer dormancy.

‘Stargazer’

	botanical name Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Stargazer’
	height 4”

‘Stargazer’ is unique in its distinctive flower form. Instead of reflexed petals that point upward, these point downward, with an up-facing floral “nose” leading the way. The nose, or corona, is where the petals meet, and this one has detailed ribbons in deep and light pink.

‘Stargazer’ has bright, rosy pink skyward centers that lead its pure white petals with a hint of ruffling. This fascinating fall-blooming cyclamen variety is also an Award of Garden Merit (AGM) recipient.

Look for ‘Shooting Star’ for a deep pink upfaxing bloom. The corona has delicate dark and light-striated curls. These shooting blooms resemble the spring ephemeral wildflower Dodecatheon, or shooting stars, also in the Primulaceae family. 

‘Bowles’ Apollo’

	botanical name Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Bowles’ Apollo’
	height 3-6”

The ‘Bowles’ Apollo’ group is remarkable for its striking foliage. Shield leaves bear a defined central steely patch—also a shield—and surrounding markings are nearly symmetrical.

Each double-shield leaf is mesmerizing in its intricacy and one of the highlights of growing cyclamen. Few plants have such detailed and varied foliage, even with an array of variegation available today.

In some ‘Bowles,’ new growth features a flush of pink blush. You can bet these boast AGM status.

‘Ruby Glow’

	botanical name Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Ruby Glow’
	height 4”

‘Ruby Glow’ spices up the autumnal border with deep magenta-purple blooms. Upswept petals resemble little shuttlecocks. They rise in a flurry in rich tones above deep green foliage with hints of black. Gray patterning is a subtle dusting of contrast.

The flowers are deeper at their heart and become lighter toward petal edges and as they age. Mature specimens may yield up to 30 budded stems. ‘Rosenteppich’ is its parent plant, with oval leaves and reddish-purple petals.

‘Ruby Glow’ is a good one to brighten dark corners and shady spots with high visual interest.

C. cilicium

	botanical name Cyclamen cilicium
	height 3-6”

This species is more demure than its ivy-leaved relatives, with more subtle mottling and pale pink blossoms. It also establishes less readily but is hardy and long-lived once it does.

Petals gently overlap with a twist at their raspberry top. The delicate ballet pink flowers are long-blooming from late summer into November and have a light honey scent. Rounded deep green leaves have slight patterning. 

C. cilicium performs best in moist, humusy soils (but not soggy). It’s not as rugged in dry shade as others, but as an AGM recipient, it performs well where it’s happiest.

‘Silver Cloud’

	botanical name Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Silver Cloud’
	height 4”

Another award winner, ‘Silver Cloud’ brings leaves with solid argent centers and green and gray venation at their edges. ‘Silver Cloud Pink’ features rich pink blooms deeper in the center, with lighter petal margins. This stunning cyclamen variety blooms in the fall with adorable white flowers.

This U.K. hybrid is from the “Apollo” group, notable for their shield-shaped leaves with heavy silver overlay. ‘Silver Cloud’ retains the ivy, heart-shaped leaf while gaining the metallic mottling. ‘Silver Cloud White’ offers crisp white petals above the icy foliage. 

C. mirabile

	botanical name Cyclamen mirabile
	height 3-5”

C. mirabile is a reliable species, even in warm, humid climates. It has the characteristic blush petals of the genus but with a twist. Literally, individual petals may have a twist that lends a bit of flair. At the flower base is a magenta blotch.

C. mirabile has a mild coconut fragrance if you’re close enough to experience it. A real asset is its extended flowering time, lasting for weeks from September or October and often into December.

Its large leaves are rounded and toothed with slight scallops. Mercury and green foliage create dynamic outlines (a Christmas tree shape), and new growth has rosy, purple tinges.

‘Red Sky’

	botanical name Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Red Sky’
	height 4”

Like ‘Ruby Glow,’ ‘Red Sky’ is a deep red-purple cyclamen variety from ‘Rosenteppich,’ chosen for the brilliant fall flowers. The flowers are the draw, retaining their raspberry-red tones as they age.

The double hearts rise on low stems above variegated leaves, pretty on their own if not as bold or marbled as other selections.

‘Lysander’

	botanical name Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Lysander’
	height 4”

It would be hard to winnow down the most dynamic cyclamen leaf, but ‘Lysander’ is a top contender. Dark forest edges dramatically outline pewter centers. Deeply serrated leaves add shape and texture to the contrasting pattern, emphasizing the outlines.

Pale pink to white flowers emerge from August through October as sweet ornament and a balance to the energetic foliage. 

C. graecum

	botanical name Cyclamen graecum
	height 4”-2′

This collector’s species holds the most diverse foliar variations and patterns. While it can be challenging to grow, its jewel box of heart-shaped, velvety leaves in shades from near black to mint make it a favorite. A satiny sheen overlays gray-white and creamy contrasts. Undersides are striking in purple.

C. graecum isn’t as cold hardy as others on our list (USDA zones 7-9) and doesn’t do well in repeated heavy frosts. They make excellent container specimens, where they benefit from winter protection or overwintering in a sheltered space. In mild climates with few frosts, they grow outdoors in all seasons.  

The species has purple or pink flowers with selections in white, rose, and purple-red. Flowers pop up in September and last through November and sometimes later. Some are reportedly fragrant.