Cyclamen is a bright-blooming houseplant that you can buy and enjoy for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the winter solstice or whatever else you celebrate at this time of year.

Cyclamen is a Mediterranean plant that, in its homeland, blooms from fall to spring. It has swept-back blossoms in pink, white or purple and heart-shaped leaves that are decorated with lacy silver patterns.

To keep a cyclamen blooming for a couple of months, remove the spent blooms by cutting the stem back at the base of the plant.

In their natural environment, cyclamen like full sun, with days in the 60s and nights in the 40s. Put them in a south-facing window in a room that you don’t keep too warm and turn the heat down when you go to bed – just like thrifty Mainers do anyway.

Cyclamen want to get dry between waterings, but add water before they start wilting.

Cyclamen go dormant during the heat of the summer, so let them dry out and put them in a cool, dry place (maybe a basement). Then bring them out in early fall and start watering them again. – TOM ATWELL