From my perspective as a cyclamen plant, light is my primary source of energy, but I am not a sun worshipper. My native habitat is in Mediterranean woodland areas, where I am sheltered by taller plants and dappled light filters through. Therefore, the best place for me is a spot with bright, indirect light. An east-facing windowsill is ideal, as it offers the gentle morning sun which is less intense. A north-facing window can also be suitable. A south or west window is acceptable only if I am shielded by a sheer curtain or placed a few feet back from the glass, as harsh, direct afternoon sunlight will scorch my delicate leaves and flowers, causing them to yellow and wilt prematurely.
My second most critical need is for cool temperatures. I thrive in conditions that many humans find a bit chilly, ideally between 60°F and 65°F (15°C - 18°C) during the day, and even cooler at night. This cool environment is what triggers and prolongs my blooming period. The worst place you can put me is near a heat source. Please avoid positioning me directly next to a radiator, fireplace, heating vent, or even a television that emits heat. This excessive, dry heat will cause me immense stress, leading to rapid flower drop, yellowing leaves, and a significantly shortened lifespan. A cool entryway, a spare bedroom, or a windowsill away from active radiators are perfect locations.
While I appreciate a moderately humid environment to keep my leaves supple, I despise stagnant, wet air around my crown and leaves as it invites fungal diseases like botrytis (grey mould). The best spot for me is a room with good air circulation, but not in the direct path of a blowing heat vent or a drafty doorway. Kitchens and bathrooms can sometimes offer good humidity levels, but only if they also provide the cool temperatures and bright, indirect light I require. A pebble tray filled with water placed beneath my pot (ensuring the pot itself is not sitting in the water) can help increase local humidity without making my soil waterlogged.
To synthesize these needs, the single best place in your house for me is likely a bright, east-facing windowsill in a room you keep relatively cool, such as a bedroom or a seldom-used living room. This location provides the perfect light cocktail and naturally cooler temperatures, especially at night. Second to this would be a north-facing window or a spot further into a bright room away from a south/west window. The key is to always avoid the two greatest threats: the scorching sun and the desiccating heat of your appliances and heating system. By finding this balance, you will allow me to display my beautiful, swept-back blossoms and marbled foliage for many weeks, if not months.
