Caladiumspp.
caladium are ornamental plants with strike leaf in variegated combinations of green , pink , red , and snowy .
They are the only metal money in theCaladiumgenus , one of many aroids , or works in the large Arum ( Araceae ) family that includescalla lilies , peace lily , philodendrons , and dasheen .
aboriginal to tropic and subtropical regions of Central and South America , they grow in the sun - dappled shade and moist world beneath the canopies created by eminent - branched Tree .
‘Candidum Junior’ fancy-leaf. Photo by David J. Stang, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY_SA.
Plants are beseem to polish as tender perennial inUSDA Hardiness Zones9 to 11 . They rise as annual in other temperate zone , and may be savor as container plants both indoors and out .
We link to marketer to aid you chance relevant products . If you corrupt from one of our link , we may earn a commission .
In this clause you ’ll learn everything you call for to know to cultivate your own lush and adorable caladium .
‘Candidum Junior’ fancy-leaf. Photo by David J. Stang, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY_SA.
permit ’s get started ! Here ’s what I ’ll cover :
What You’ll Learn
What Is a Caladium?
Caladiums grow from corm , or slurred , rounded , genus Tuber - like root . Similar to a bulb , the corm stores solid food that the industrial plant uses during the produce season .
It has bumps on it called eyes . These are the growth nodes from which the leaves sprout .
Unlike a bulb , the antecedent do not sprout from the bottom of a corm . or else , they emerge beside the sprouting leaves , on top of the corm , and spread out sideway .
Another unequalled feature of this type of plant is that there are no stems . The leaves grow straightaway from the corm via leaf stem called petioles .
There are two types of caladium plants in cultivation : fancy - folio , and lance or shoulder strap - leaf .
The fancy - leafage types have a little angle of dip where the petiole meets the leaf , and leaves that look like core . These are the large plant life , with mature tiptop ranging from 12 to 30 in .
The lance or shoulder strap - leaf one have no dip , and they feature elongated foliage . These plants are minor , topping out at 12 inches or less in tiptop .
There are many cultivated varieties that are hybrids of two or more species . They are call , generically , C.xhortulanum .
The hybrid mintage name is often followed by a specific cultivar name , such as ‘ Candidum Junior , ’ a white fancy case with dark immature veining , or ‘ Miss Muffet , ’ a chartreuse and deep pink shoulder strap - folio variety .
As a result of all-inclusive hybridization , an regalia of colorful works with contrasting mid - rib , veins , margins , mottling , and striping are available to home gardener .
A Note of Caution:
This is a poisonous plant . It hold back calcium oxalate and is toxic to people and favorite if ingested . Handling it may cause a skin reaction in sensitive people .
Cultivation and History
Also know as substance of Jesus , angel wing , or elephant ears ( not to be confuse with other elephant ear plants , such asColocasia esculentum ) , caladiums grow in spicy , humid conditions where the soil is organically rich , moist , and well - draining .
The ideal pH is between 6.0 and 6.5 .
They do well in understory placements that get filtered sun , as well as position that get sunrise sun and afternoon spook .
Some of the newest cultivated variety show have greater Dominicus tolerance than the botanical species plant .
now and again , plants produce a single pallid green , white , or pinkish flower . It consists of a concave leaf - like bract , or spathe , hem in an unsloped spike called a spadix that is covered with moment blossoms .
After blossom , a tight bunch of orange or white Berry , each containing up to 10 seeds , will appear .
The early document plantwas likely of theC. bicolorspecies , found originate in the Amazon River Basin neighborhood of Brazil .
By the 1700s , there were cosmetic specimen growing in European gardens .
Breeding industrial plant with desirable characteristic was well underway in the 1800s and continues today .
Caladium cultivation is a big business organisation , particularly in the country of Florida , where advances in leaf heaviness and sunlight tolerance have create a wide array of striking choices that are certified to be of olympian quality .
Caladium Plant Propagation
To uprise this plant at home , you will need to buy a inactive corm or nursery plant , or receive a division from a acquaintance ’s flora .
To divide a works , delve it up in early bounce to bring out the thick , tuberous solution . To make new plants , slice down through the corm to make separate composition .
Each must contain one or more eyes .
spring up from seed is also potential . However , plants seldom flower , and the tiny blossoms are not self - pollinating .
Commercial growers often edit budding stem off to quicken plant , as well . As such , cum organisation is a infrequency , and seeds are not promptly usable for leverage .
How to Grow Caladiums
If you ’re in zone 9 to 11 , you may place sow corms in the natural spring when the soil is at least 70 ° atomic number 9 . grime that is too stale makes the corms susceptible to waste .
Get your corm into the ground as soon as possible after purchasing them at the nursery or receiving them by mail .
If you ca n’t get them in the ground right away , store them in an airy location that ’s 70 - 80 ° atomic number 9 until you are ready to plant them out .
Because the corms crave warmth and moisture , some folks wish to soak them in warm water for an hr before planting .
The expert at the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service recommend a temperature of 120 ° degree Fahrenheit to jump - commencement growth .
The next step , also optional , is “ de - eyeing ” or “ pit . ”
Here ’s how :
Remember those bumpy ontogeny node called heart ?
The key to experience attractive clump of foliage is to “ scar ” or “ de - optic ” the corm prior to establish .
This is a simple project that need a acute paring orgarden knifeto turn over the eye out , as you would with a potato . Remove about one - fourth part of an column inch from each heart .
Doing so ensures that no oculus attain “ apical dominance , ” arise at the disbursal of others , and cause them to grow slow and smaller .
Sometimes there is an obviously declamatory “ central ” center , and folks make out that one out and leave behind the rest alone .
At other times , no one eye seems importantly larger than the rest , and citizenry edit out them all to boost even growth .
Next , it ’s prison term to embed .
To Plant Directly Outdoors:
Select a localisation that receives filtered sunlight through Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree branch , or one with morning sun and good afternoon tad .
If your soil is not organically rich , improve it with compost , peat , or humus . This improves drainage , as well , and contributes a modicum of sour .
solve the soil down eight to 10 in , adding amendment as needed , until it has a loose , friable consistence .
Mix in a well - balance , slow - release , all - purpose granular plant food at this metre , if want .
You may continue to feed your plants throughout the growing time of year per software instruction , but do n’t overdo it , or the leaves might become entirely green .
dress the corm bud side up , and imbed two column inch deep , covering them completely with soil .
Space plants eight to 12 inches apart to accommodate mature dimension of 12 to 24 in , depending upon the cultivar chosen .
weewee in well .
give about two inches of constitutive mulch , such as pine barque or pine needles , to keep weeds down , aid in water retentivity , and add nourishment .
Once sprouts seem , defend even moisture throughout the growing time of year .
To Start Indoors:
If you ’re cultivating plants as yearbook in coolheaded neighborhood , start them indoors in mid - spring for planting out in early summer .
To do so , fill a shallow , well - draining container with perlite , vermiculite , or another well - draining pot medium .
Place the corms bud side up , and use enough pot medium to just deal them from view .
Place them in a location with collateral sunshine that is at least 70 ° F .
Keep the territory moist , but not soggy . embed out when priming dirt temperature are at least 70 ° F .
To Grow in Containers:
To develop plants in container , prefer mint with adequate drainage holes that are stout enough to accommodate mature plant proportion of 12 to 24 inches marvellous .
A profundity of about eight inch is adequate , as roots have a shallow growth habit .
plant life corms two inch inscrutable in a quality potting medium that drain well . mix in in fertilizer as describe above , and use it throughout the growing time of year per package didactics .
Remember that container dry out out faster than ground stain , so be vigilant about keeping the soil moist .
station containers outside in locations with partial shade during the grow season , and bring them indoors as houseplant in locales that freeze .
Indoor plant want a placement that is at least 70 ° fluorine and grow collateral sunlight .
Even inside , plant life have a sleeping time period . alleviate up on the watering when foliage growth slows down , and pick it up again when fresh increase seem , keeping the soil evenly moist .
The neat challenge with indoor cultivation is to maintain equal moisture . To increase the moisture in indoor strain , mist flora daily .
sate a shallow pan with pebble , and add enough piss to scarcely underwrite them .
Place the potful on top , making sure there is airspace between the cockeyed pebble and the kitty drainage holes , to prevent “ wet infantry . ”
Read more about growing caladium indoors in our pathfinder . ( coming soon ! )
To Plant Divisions or Potted Nursery Plants:
To embed , place corm divisions with the centre side up in two in of soil or potting culture medium as we did above .
Some tribe like to wait a bit before planting divisions , let the scars of being cut off from the parent plant to bring around in a warm , dry location before replanting .
Mix some plant food into the dirt as depict above .
For nursery pots , unpot and place into the land or container of your option so that the depth is the same as it was in the nursery grass .
You may plant potted caladiums with foliation at any time during the develop time of year . Only corms need to be started in the spring .
Remember to keep your plant moist , but not soggy . Consider install adrip irrigation systemto make the task easier .
plant should never dry out out completely , nor should they have “ wet feet . ”
Options at Season’s End
If you do n’t live in a Robert Frost - free zone , you will ask to wind your corms from the grime at time of year ’s end , like you would do withdahliasand canna lilies , to store them until the appropriate fourth dimension for replanting next year .
Some phratry in warm regions do this as well , as a wet winter can have them to rot .
Here ’s how to go up and fund corms :
To vacate corms at season ’s end , wait until the leaves wither in the descent .
Carefully savvy them up before the first Robert Frost , and lay them on newspaper until they are teetotal enough to mildly brush the cohere soil off .
admit the corms to dry out out for a week or so in a warm , teetotal place , out of direct sunlight .
pose them on a bed of vermiculite or sand in a container with a vent lid . stack away it in a colored , dry placement with temperatures that do n’t go below 55 to 60 ° F .
You may also pot them up and lend them indoors to store over the winter .
If you are grow in container already , get them indoors when nighttime temperatures are predicted to drop below 60 ° F , or they run a risk wilting and rotting .
See this guide for more contingent on lifting corm .
Growing Tips
As you set up to cultivate this ornamental leaf plant , keep the followers in mind :
Pruning and Maintenance
Caladiums are not “ set and forget ” works . tropic beauties , these divas necessitate attention to keep them in ideal condition .
While they seldom bloom , bud and heyday production direct heartiness away from the foliage . For this reason , most growers snip off stems that produce buds .
If you have one that blossom , it ’s fun to see , specially if you’regardening with children .
Use aclean dyad of prunersto make a clear cut across the stem as most to its source as you’re able to safely get without risking scathe to leaf stems .
Another task that benefits plants is to keep the garden weed . As mentioned , mulch aids in this labor , inhibiting weed growth and competition for water .
In accession , remove any stagnant or damaged leaves throughout the grow time of year with a snippet at the alkali of the leaf base .
If you are mature industrial plant as perennials , as new ontogeny appears each outpouring , fertilize and freshen up the mulch .
As describe , for those growing plants as annuals , and those in warm regions where the wintertime are squiffy , you ’ll want to lift the corms from the ground to stack away or pot up and take indoors at time of year ’s end .
We discussed dividing plant to make raw ones , so you may be wondering if you should divide them when grow them as perennials .
Although some folks do , it ’s not of necessity go to extend their lives , as the corms lose vigor with long time .
In addition , leaf that grow full in partially shaded locating may get from sun scald if debunk to hot summertime sun . This is especially honest for white varieties . debar it with shady placements .
Strong wind and heavy rain may damage heavy , fragile leaves , so protect plant from severe weather if possible .
Caladium Cultivars to Select
When shopping for plants , you are likely to find them listed under the umbrella classificationC.xhortulanum , with or without a specific cultivar name .
Corm size include Jumbo , # 1 , and # 2 , with Jumbo being the magnanimous . Bigger corm are potential to grow faster and produce big leaf and plant , however , all reach mature dimension within a individual uprise season .
The follow are cultivar you ’re certain to like :
Aaron
C.xhortulanem‘Aaron ’ is a fancy - leaf cultivar that has creamy white leaf and wide unripened tolerance .
It grows serious in part shade locations . Too much Dominicus may cause scorching .
fledged pinnacle are between 12 and 18 inches .
Autumn Beauty
C.xhortulanem‘Autumn Beauty ’ is a fancy - foliage variety with light green farewell , finely vein and butt against in contrasting red .
Heights range from 18 to 24 inches .
Florida Moonlight
C.xhortulanem‘Florida Moonlight ’ is a fancy - folio type that is snowy white , with fine unripened veins and margins .
It thrive in location that are partially shade , and may scorch with too much sunshine .
‘ Florida Midnight ’
Plants top out at 18 to 24 inches .
Find bulb now from Eden Brothersin bags of 5 , 10 , and 25 .
Red Flash
C.xhortulanem‘Red Flash ’ is a fancy - leaf cultivar with bright red leaves that are blob with white and pink . The margin are green .
It does well in part shade .
‘ Red Flash ’
elevation are 12 to 18 inches .
White Christmas
C.xhortulanem‘White Christmas ’ is a fancy type with argent - white farewell and light-green veining .
It requires part ghost , and as with many white types , may sear with too much Dominicus .
industrial plant top out at 12 to 18 inch .
‘ clean Christmas ’
Alternatively , grab yourself a industrial plant in an eight - inch cosmetic metal potavailable from Terrain .
White Queen
C.xhortulanem‘White Queen ’ is a fancy leaf variety with creamy white leaves and promising ruddy vena .
It ask a partially shaded fix to invalidate sear .
fledged heights are 12 to 18 inches .
Managing Pests and Disease
Caladiums are not prone to pests or disease .
With well - draining stain and a weed - gratuitous garden , pest are generally not a problem . However , if things get too squiffy and skinny , pest may move in , include :
Handpicking the cuss and spray plants with insecticidal soap should do the thaumaturgy .
Soil - put up pests like theroot - knot nematode(Meloidogynespp . ) can cause scrawny growth and leaf dieback . They can also damage the corms , leave them susceptible to disease .
Additionally , critter such as chipmunks , deer , rabbits , squirrels , and voles may nibble plants .
If they are a problem in your yard , you may need to grow in containers in shelter areas near the house rather than plant out in the ornamental bed .
As for disease , they are more likely to go on during production , prior to the consumer ’s leverage of corm or plants .
These can let in :
Once set out in the garden , best practices for planting , watering , weeding , and go along corms lovesome should ensure disease - free cultivation .
The most common issue for the home nurseryman is fungal disease from overwatering . preclude it with good drain and address any issueswith a antimycotic .
Best Uses for Caladiums
To show off the foliage of this exceptional plant to best advantage , mass plant one type , mix and match , or pair plants with companions such asastilbe , Asian lilies , begonias , bromeliads , calla lily , fern , fuchsias , gladioli , hostas , andimpatiens , which share similar develop necessity .
Brighten shady areas that get morning sun , like seam , borders , and window box .
Make consumption of the foliation as an understory ground cover or specimen planting . Use it as border along a partly shaded paseo , and to add a tactile sensation of color to green shade gardens .
Pot them up for the patio and room in your home that receive indirect light , for esthetic pops of color .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Tropical Dreams
Caladiums make me remember of the proverbial Kyd in the candy store . Just when you think you ’ve found your deary , you find another you like even more .
Living in the Northeast , I ran into my first caladium in a “ dish garden , ” as we call them in the floral barter .
I trust it was a ‘ Candidum Junior , ’ like I showed you at the starting time of this clause .
And while I have not grow them out of doors , I can manifest to their vigor as houseplant , and their spectacular color combinations .
It ’s time to brighten up the dull place in the garden with lush and vibrant leafage . Find room beneath that richly - branching tree , or in the nook that get the aurora sunshine , and permit your imagination endure wild .
Why not make an haven with masses of colorful foliage and assorted blooms , a trickling piddle feature of speech , anda restful bench ?
Or a bunch of potted white varieties that bask in the glow of your alight consortium as you bask an evening swim ?
And how about making room on your desk in the home office , where you spend your years dreaming of vacation to come ?
Imagine the possibilities , and set the tropic mood of your dreams with the colorful foliage of caladium .
If you want to read for your garden , insure out these guides next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more particular . Originally published on July 31st , 2020 . Last updated July 26th , 2023 . merchandise photos via Eden Brothers . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Nan Schiller
