Potted Cyclamen- Dormant

Q: My potted cyclamen was flourishing for years until recently it just collapsed. All the stems with leaves died. What should I do with it now?

A: It’s normal for a cyclamen to go dormant after it blooms. If your’s was in bright light indoors in winter, it may have enough energy in the tuber to put on new leaves after it rests for a couple of months. Keep it outdoors in dense shade . Turn the pot on its side so it gets no water. When temperatures cool off in fall, bring it indoors to the brightest but coolest spot you can find. Water it and apply a bit of houseplant fertilizer. If all goes well it will bloom in December. If it looks thin and weak in November, discard it.