Hardy cyclamen
Cyclamen hederifolium
Also called Ivy-leaved cyclamen and Sowbread
Garden plant · BulbsIt flowers in September on bare earth, then the marbled leaves come and stay all winter. Plant the tuber barely covered — deep is the commonest way to lose one.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 8 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Partial shade, dry in summer
- Feed
- Not needed
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a cold winter RHS H5, to -15°C
- Size
- 0.1 m tall · 0.3 m across
- Lifecycle
- Bulb
- Origin
- The Mediterranean
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses. Signs: drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. If a lot of the tubers are eaten: an irregular heartbeat, seizures and death.
PeopleHarmful if eaten
The tuber above all — the leaves and flowers are far weaker.
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS: ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-11.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.