Caladium Plants are known for their large, heart-shaped leaves that come in a variety of colors including white, pink, red, and green. These are tropical plants that grow in hot, humid weather. Caladium growth is simple with proper caladium care.
Caladiums can be grown in pots or in clumps in beds and borders. Caladium plants come in several of varieties, including fancy-leaved and strap-leaved types. These plants are planted for colorful leaves, which can be green, white, red, or pink.
Caladiums are brilliant, transparent blooms that offer a splash of color to gloomy, wet regions of garden where other flowers may not thrive. These leaves offer a range of colorful combos and may be grown both indoors and outdoors.
Caladium Plants
Caladiums are heat-loving tropical perennials with beautiful foliage that make great houseplants. The plant’s large, heart or arrow-shaped, paper-thin leaves come in an array of bright hues and patterns. Caladium bicolor has over 1000 varieties from the original South American plant.
Caladium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae. They are often known by the common name elephant ear, heart of Jesus, and angel wings. Caladium is a mottled, veined, and striped burst of whites, greens, reds, and pinks.
The genus Caladium includes seven species that are native to South America and Central America, and naturalized in India, parts of Africa, and various tropical islands.
They grow in open areas of the forest and on the banks of rivers and go dormant during the dry season. The wild plants grow to 15–35 inches tall, with leaves mostly 6-18 inches long and broad.
They may easily give the illusion of having planted flowers while being merely foliage plants. Though planted for its leaves, they do produce flowers, which begin as spathes or spikes.
Plant Overview
- Common Name: Caladium, elephant ears
- Botanical Name: Caladium
- Family: Araceae
- Plant Type: Tropical perennial
- Mature Size: 12–30 in. tall, 12–24 in. wide
- Sun Exposure: Indirect light (indoors), full to partial shade (outdoors)
- Soil Type: Rich, well-drained
- Soil pH: Slightly acidic
- Bloom Time: Spring, summer, fall
- Flower Color: Green, pink, white, red
- Hardiness Zones: 9–11 (USDA)
- Native Area: Central America, South America
- Toxicity: Toxic to people and pets
Types of Caladium
Caladium cultivars come in various colors, like green, red, pink, white, and even orange. Cultivars are often sold without names. Almost all cultivars are derived from C. bicolor, a South American native. They’ll look great as a border or as a single plant.
A few noteworthy Caladium cultivars include:
- Caladium ‘Baiman’: Baiman has ruffled glossy foliage that is reddish-brown in color. Its small size makes it ideal for tabletops.
- Caladium ‘White Cranberry Star’: The pure white leaf with dark green veins and pink spots looks lovely indoors in warm, humid areas.
- Caladium ‘Hot Lips’: Hot Lips has dark red leaves with black veins and small soft red splotches all over it. For the finest colors, place the plant in strong indirect light.
- Caladium ‘Heart & Soul’: With its abstract heart-shaped leaves varied in green, white, pink, and red, Heart & Soul provides a dramatic appeal wherever it goes.
- Caladium ‘Festivia’: Festivia has bright green foliage that grows to a dark red color with green borders and veins. It may be a lovely accent to the warm, humid parts of the home.
Growing Guides of Caladium Plant
Caladiums will grow in full shade, but their vitality and color will suffer. May newer sun-resistant that may be grown in partial to full sun in cooler northern regions.
Unless reside in zones 9 to 11, grow them as annuals or dig out the tubers at the end of the growing season and store them for the winter. Ensure the soil is evenly moist but not damp during the growth season.
These tropical plants not only have a lengthy season of color, but they also grow quickly and are ideal for shady garden areas. Integrate Caladiums into yard show for long-lasting beauty that exceeds even vibrant blooms.
Caladiums are strong feeders and require regular fertilizing during the growth season, especially in pots. Because greater nitrogen can affect foliage color, choose a low-nitrogen or balanced formulation.
Caladium Care
Caladiums are seasonal tuberous plants that grow leaves from spring through autumn, with a peak in the summer. Many gardeners use widely these eye-catching plants as summer and conversation pieces.
Remove any spates as soon as they appear to ensure that all of the plant’s energies are directed into its beautiful leaves. Their rest period is decided by how long the plants have been growing rather than by temperature.
Water and feeding are the most essential parts of caladium care. Fertilizer will assist to strengthen the plants so that they can produce enough tubers for the next growing season.
Container-grown caladiums should be checked daily and watered as needed. Applying mulch around caladium plants, even in pots, will assist to save and keep moisture.
Soil and Fertilizer
Caladium should be planted in a rich, well-drained soil in the garden or in a potting mix for containers, such as a moist mix of soil and peat. Caladiums require well-drained, organic-rich soil, such as mushroom compost or chopped leaves. Garden soil should also be rich and well-drained.
During the growth season, treat the plant every two weeks with liquid fertilizer or slow-release pellets. To ensure optimal growth, use potash and phosphorus monthly, as well as a 5-10-10 fertilizer. Fertilize with a liquid fertilizer every few weeks.
Light and Water
Caladium plants prefer indirect light or mild shade indoors. The narrower leaves, more sun they can tolerate. Growing them in pots outside provides more control over the light conditions. Give them partial to full shade when planting them in a garden; full sun scorches their leaves.
When the plant’s leaves develop, water as needed to keep the soil evenly moist. Allowing the plant to dry out will cause the leaves to yellow and drop. When the plant’s leaves begin to die back, stop watering it. After winter dormancy, restart watering in the spring.
Temperature and Humidity
Caladium houseplants prefer hot weather. Aim for 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and, if possible, 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit at night, as this is the temperature at which tubers begin to grow.
When growing outdoors, you can transplant potted tubers after your area’s last frost date. Plants should be started inside four to six weeks before transplanting.
Pests and Diseases
Caladiums are not bothered by many harmful pests. They may be troubled by caterpillars and grasshoppers that munch on the leaves. Aphids, Mealy bugs, Mites, Thrips, and Whiteflies are other pests that suck on the leaves and can be controlled using insecticidal soaps.
Caladiums have little insect issues, especially in north climates. Tuber rot, whether in storage or after planting, usually develops in cold weather and may be avoided by following proper storage and planting methods.
Hope you enjoyed reading the Planting guide of Caladiums. If you think we missed something or have a suggestion, please leave it in the comments section below.
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