Mirabile cyclamen Plant Care

Cyclamen mirabile Hildebr.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Cyclamen mirabile, sowbread, is a species of flowering plant in the primrose family Primulaceae. A tufted, tuberous herbaceous perennial growing to 10 cm (3.9 in), it is native to Turkish pine woodland and maquis in southwestern Turkey.

🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

50–65°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Mirabile cyclamen?

Plant Mirabile cyclamen in bright indirect light (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–65°F (10–18°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Mirabile cyclamen Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Mirabile cyclamen?

Mirabile cyclamen (Cyclamen mirabile) belongs to the Primulaceae family within the Cyclamen genus. Mirabile cyclamen is native to Turkish pine woodland and maquis in southwestern Turkey. Mirabile cyclamen is also known as Autumn cyclamen.

Mirabile cyclamen displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Mirabile cyclamen produces unique swept-back petals in shades of pink, red, white or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Mirabile cyclamen?

Water a young or newly planted Mirabile cyclamen every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Mirabile cyclamen Need?

Mirabile cyclamen thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Mirabile cyclamen in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect light

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mirabile cyclamen Prefer?

Cyclamen mirabile tolerates temperatures of 50–65°F. Mirabile cyclamen prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–65°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mirabile cyclamen?

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix with good organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Mirabile cyclamen to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Mirabile cyclamen?

Feed Mirabile cyclamen every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Mirabile cyclamen?

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix with good organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mirabile cyclamen is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Mirabile cyclamen?

Mirabile cyclamen can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Mirabile cyclamen?

Prune Mirabile cyclamen while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Mirabile cyclamen in Winter?

Mirabile cyclamen is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Mirabile cyclamen?

Mirabile cyclamen can be propagated through seeds, division of tubers. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cyclamen plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Mirabile cyclamen Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Mirabile cyclamen?

Mirabile cyclamen is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, cyclamen mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Mirabile cyclamen Need?

Mirabile cyclamen grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mirabile cyclamen is native to Turkish pine woodland and maquis in southwestern Turkey. In cooler regions, grow Mirabile cyclamen as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Mirabile cyclamen is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Cyclamen genus — compare its care with other Cyclamen species on PlantoScan.

Cyclamen is part of the Primulaceae plant family — browse all Primulaceae genera and species.

Mirabile cyclamen thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Cyclamen Species

Other Cyclamen species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Cyclamen mirabile Hildebr., family Primulaceae (first published in Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 19(2): 370 (1906)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Mirabile cyclamen is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Mirabile cyclamen Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species