How to Recover an Alpine Violet (Cyclamen) with Yellow Leaves and Wilted Edges

Brief diagnosis

Your plant is most likely an Alpine Violet (Cyclamen persicum). It shows mild stress: leaves with yellow spots and wilted edges. No visible pests or obvious sunburn are observed. This pattern is consistent with problems in watering, drainage, or environmental conditions (temperature and humidity).

Most likely causes

• Irregular watering: cycles of drought followed by partial waterlogging that damage the cyclamen's sensitive leaves.
• Substrate with poor drainage or compacted that causes root stress and hinders root oxygenation.
• High temperatures or dry drafts that cause wilting at the leaf margins.
• Watering directly over the foliage or very cold water that favors spots and increases leaf sensitivity.

What to do now (immediate steps)

1. Adjust watering

• Keep the substrate moist but never waterlogged. Avoid leaving the plant on a saucer with standing water.
• Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry to the touch.
• Preferably water from the base or at the pot edge to avoid wetting the rosette and the plant's crown.

2. Check drainage and substrate

• Make sure the pot has drainage holes and that water drains freely.
• If the substrate is very compacted and the plant shows signs of root problems (persistent damp smell, very soft leaves), consider repotting into a lighter mix: potting soil with perlite or coconut fiber.
• Repot carefully and only if there is clear evidence of root stress, avoiding unnecessary disturbance of bulbs or healthy roots.

3. Improve light and temperature

• Place the cyclamen in a spot with bright, indirect light; avoid strong direct sun that can scorch the leaves.
• Keep temperatures moderate: ideally below 22–24 °C. Avoid hot or cold drafts.

4. Humidity and ventilation

• Maintain moderate ambient humidity, between 40–60%, avoiding leaves remaining wet for long periods.
• Ensure gentle ventilation to reduce the likelihood of fungal problems, without exposing the plant to direct drafts.

5. Specific care and monitoring

• Remove severely damaged leaves at the base with clean scissors to improve appearance and air circulation.
• Note changes: observe the plant for 7–14 days after making adjustments and record whether spots decrease and leaf turgor improves.

Signs of improvement and when to intervene again

• Improvement: firmer leaves, reduction of new spots, and growth of healthy new leaves.
• No improvement in 2 weeks: check roots and substrate; consider changing the pot if a damp smell or brown/slimy roots persist.
• Worsening: if extensive necrotic spots, rot, or secondary pests appear, act promptly and seek a deeper diagnosis.

Preventive tips

• Maintain a regular watering schedule adapted to the environment (temperature and humidity).
• Use pots with good drainage and loose substrate to avoid compaction.
• Avoid wetting the rosette when watering and protect from intense heat.

If you follow these steps and observe the plant closely, most cyclamens with mild stress recover well. Monitor the response over the next two weeks and adjust watering and placement according to progress.