Caladium Plant Care
Caladium is a tuberous perennial grown for its striking foliage. The plant's nearly translucent arrow-shaped leaves come in a wide variety of contrasting colors and eye-catching patterns. Give this tender tropical proper care, and the caladium will grace your garden for several months during the spring and summer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Timing
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Caladium is native to tropical South America and requires warm weather to grow. Plant tubers in the late spring well after danger of frost has passed. Daytime temperatures should be 70 degrees Fahrenheit and above and nighttime temperatures no lower than 60 degrees F. If you plant caladiums too early in the season, the bulbs will rot.
Get a jump on the growing season and plant caladium tubers indoors one month before the weather reaches 70 degrees F. Plant in peat moss or potting soil in a shallow container with drainage holes. Cover the tubers with an inch of soil, water lightly and place the container in a warm room with bright light. Keep the soil moist and set the plant out as soon as the weather permits.
Planting Location
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Caladium grows well in a shady spot in the ground or a container. The dappled sunlight under a tree is often an ideal location. Caladiums can be grown in full shade, but the foliage colors may be somewhat muted.
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Soil Requirements
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Plant caladium in a rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Prior to planting in-ground caladium, amend the planting site with a 2- to 3-inch layer of pine bark mulch or compost. After planting, apply a 3-inch layer of additional pine bark mulch to the soil surface, which will conserve moisture and keep the soil temperature even.
Watering
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Water caladium frequently, making sure to keep the soil evenly moist at all times but not soggy. Besides wilting, leaf burn can occur when plants experience drought stress.
Fertilizing
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Caladiums require regular feeding throughout the growing season to thrive and to store food for the following year's growth. Apply a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus and potassium, such as a 5-10-10, every four to six weeks during the growing season. Avoid splashing fertilizer water onto caladium leaves, because it tends to cause burn marks. Always water well after fertilizing, which will prevent fertilizer buildup in the soil.
Winter Care and Storage
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To save caladiums for growing in the garden next year, dig the tubers up in the fall before the leaves have lost all their color. Spread them out on a flat surface and let them dry for a week, then remove the foliage and store the tubers in a paper bag filled with dry peat moss or vermiculite. Avoid tuber rot by making certain that the tubers don't touch one another in the bag and store indoors in a dry area that remains above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warning
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Use caution when growing caladium around young children and pets, because the plant's sap can cause swelling in the mouth and throat.
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References
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- Photo Credit feuille de caladium image by Unclesam from Fotolia.com
