Caladiums are seasonal plants even in the tropics, where gardeners plant them in the spring and summer months when they’ll thrive in the heat and humidity they require. Unless you live in zones 9 to 11, you should plan to grow them as annuals, or dig up the plants’ tubers at the end of the growing season and store them for the winter. When grown indoors, they do best with lots of heat, bright but indirect light, and plenty of humidity. Even under the best conditions, caladium foliage lasts only a few months before the leaves start to die back and the plant goes dormant again, which is normal.
Light
Caladium plants prefer indirect light or moderate shade indoors. The narrower the leaves, the greater the amount of sun they can withstand. Growing them outdoors in containers gives you more control over light conditions. Some newer cultivars can be grown in full sun, but most caladiums need protection from too much intense light. When growing them in a garden, give them partial shade to full shade; full sun scorches their leaves.
Soil
Plant caladium in a rich, well-drained soil in the garden or in potting mix for containers, such as a damp mix of soil and peat. Garden soil should be similarly rich and well-drained. The ideal soil pH is slightly acidic, at 5.5 to 6.2.
Water
When leaves appear on the plant, water as needed to keep the soil evenly moist. Never let the plant dry out, as leaves may yellow and drop. Stop watering the plant when the leaves start to die back. Resume watering in spring after winter dormancy. New leaves will reappear as temperatures warm.
Temperature and Humidity
The warmer the better for caladium houseplants. Aim for 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 60-65 degrees at night, if possible, as that is the temperature at which tubers begin to grow. Keep the humidity as high as is practical. When planting outdoors, you can transplant potted tubers (or, better yet, simply transfer them in peat pots) after the last frost date for your area. Plants grown this way should be started indoors four to six weeks prior to transplanting.
Fertilizer
Fertilize the plant every two weeks during the growing season with liquid fertilizer or use slow-release pellets.
Types of Caladium
There are literally too many cultivars to keep track of—caladium cultivars are green, red, pink, white, even orange. In many cases, cultivars are sold without names. Almost all cultivars are descended from C. bicolor, which is native to South America. Some books list these plants as C. hortulanum. Choose your variety based on its appearance. They will make a showy border or a single plant. A few noteworthy cultivars include:
Caladium ‘Creamsicle’: This variety can be a vigorous grower. It features large green leaves accented with vibrant red and veined with bright white.Caladium ‘White Christmas’: Large, arrow-shaped green leaves with a heavy “dusting” of bright white make a simple and striking color combination in this variety.Caladium ‘Miss Muffet’: This dwarf variety reaches only about 8 inches in height and has lime-green leaves flecked with bright pink spots.Caladium ‘Puppy Love’: This relative newcomer has pink leaves edged in green and can tolerate full sun in some climates.
Propagating Caladium
When the plants die back in the fall or early winter, you can save the tubers in a bag and replant them next year for another show. Tubers of mature caladium can also be divided using the following steps:
Common Pests
Caladium are not bothered by many detrimental pests. But, they may be afflicted by caterpillars and grasshoppers that will chew on the leaves and need specific ways to eliminate the activity. Other pests that suck on the leaves and can be eradicated with insecticidal soaps include:
Aphids Mealybugs Mites Thrips Whiteflies
Common Problems With Caladium
Caladium leaves are typically colorful and attractive, so you easily notice if the plants have problems. If your caladium leaves turn unsightly colors, the issue may be easy to fix.
Leaves Turning Yellow
Caladium leaves will turn yellow if the plant is overwatered, underwatered, getting too much light, or experiencing temperature and humidity level stress. The plant may also be experiencing nutrient deficiencies, such as a lack of magnesium, nitrogen, or iron.
Leaves Turning Brown
There could be many reasons your caladium leaves are turning brown, including:
The plant is too dry.It’s getting too much direct sunlight.It’s not getting enough humidity.It’s over-fertilized.
