They can be taken out of the ground in the fall, the corms stored during the winter months, and replanted the following spring. For the best indoor light a northern or eastern window is usually the best place. Planting and Care Caladiums can be added to your landscape as tubers (without foliage) or as full-leafed plants. The caladium is most commonly known for being the elephant ear plant found in most gardens. They grow well in soil with good drainage, and thrive in sun or shade. Request a copy of our free seasonal catalog. Plant tubers point side up about 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches deep. For an even wider assortment of tubers you can buy online, visit Classic Caladiums, classiccaladiums.com. In order to keep new leaves coming up, it is essential that the plant is fed with a balanced soluble fertilizer around two to three times a month. As such, they will need to be planted when the air and soil temperature is warm. With roughly seven species, these plants can grow to be anywhere from 15 to 35 inches tall and with leaves as broad as 18 inches. The Tuberose is a popular flower in floral arrangements and its scent is used to produce perfumes the world over. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail us or call toll free 1-800-974-2558. Cool weather will significantly delay germination. Most Caladiums are at home in the shade or partial shade, but some varieties are more sun tolerant (see caladium catalog page) and can be planted in areas with little shade. The main colors are red, pink and white, and each different type of Caladiumhas its own unique and exciting color combination of two or more of the above colors. Cut the dried foliage from the caladium tubers. As tropical plants, fancy leaf caladium love heat. They are often used as border plants, alongside homes, or in beds. Caladium plants, whether indoors or outdoors, die back and become dormant in the fall and stay that way until early spring. Caladiums grown in full sun will require more water and will have a bit shorter life span due to the harsher growing conditions. Planting Caladiums is very easy. Nov 3, 2015 - Caladium, Indoor and Outdoor Plants, Leafy Green Plants. It is critical to wait to plant your caladiums until your soil temperature is at or above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Tuberoses thrive in sunny spots and bloom in late summer. Photo by: Ralph Anderson. Caladiums are wonderful in pots, hanging baskets, and in mass plantings in the landscape. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Their rest period isn't determined by temperature or light cycle, but by how long the plant has been growing. Nights should be warm and the soil temperature should be 65-70°F. To start caladiums indoors for outdoor planting, pot the tubers about 4 - 6 weeks before your last frost date. They are at home in pots and can be placed outside when summer arrives. Zones: Perennial in zones 9-11; can be grown as an annual or houseplant elsewhere. Caladiums (Caladium bicolor) add color to your garden from spring through fall. If you have followed our planting instructions and have kept the buibs from freezing and are not satisfied, we will gladly replace the bulbs or refund your money. Water the Caladium 1-2 times a week. Plant in late winter or early spring as soon as tubers become available at nurseries. They are native to the banks of the Amazon River in South America. How to Feed Caladiums: Use a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote Outdoor & Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food 19-6-12 or a liquid feed such as Miracle-Gro Liquid All Purpose Plant Food 12-4-8. While this may sometimes be difficult to distinguish in some varieties, those that ar… How to Grow CaladiumsCaladiums originated in South America, so they thrive in warm weather. The brilliant foliage of this classic plant is often translucent, which makes them light up your garden. Southern Living is a registered trademark of, These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021, 7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020, 50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime, Try a few of our favorite caladium varieties. Light for Caladiums: All caladiums love filtered sunlight and shade. They are a great way to add color to shady areas. Some newer selections can take more sun. Plant bulbs blunt end down beneath 2 inches of soil. Credit: If you plant them indoors, they will need transplanting. Plant one bulb in a 6 inch pot and keep at 75 degrees for an earlier summer bloom. It’s best to plant them when the temperature during the day steadily holds at 70 degrees F, and when the temperatures at night won’t fall below 60 degrees F. You can plant them indoors in planters four to six weeks before the last frost is expected. Wait to plant your caladiums outdoors until two or three weeks after the last frost date. In the warm, humid climates of zones 8 and 9, plant caladium tubers directly into the ground in spring. They are also at home indoors in pots. Space them 8 to 14 inches apart, depending on the ultimate size of your plants as listed on the tag. Best Soil for Caladiums: Caladiums need well-drained soil that's rich in organic matter, such as mushroom compost or chopped leaves. How to Feed Caladiums: Use a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote Outdoor & Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food 19-6-12 or a liquid feed such as Miracle-Gro Liquid All Purpose Plant Food 12-4-8. The leaves of the caladium are broad, flat, and look remarkably like an elephant’s ear. Humidity is crucial to Caladium houseplant care as the tubers are native to South American tropical forests and produce seasonal foliage during the rainy, warm season. Caladium plant is a semi-shade plant and it needs to be planted in areas where there is no extreme sun because it might cause the tuber to start rotting. Nurseryman Stewart Myers of Myers Plants & Pottery in Pelham, Alabama, (myersplantsandpottery.com) has been planting thousands of caladium tubers every year for the last 30 years. Mulch around the planting and keep moist throughout the season. Their green, pink, red, white and silver variegated leaves complement plants such … These plants thrive in moist, well-drained soil and are generally happier in partial shade. Avoid direct sunlight! Plant them out again when the next growing season begins. Free Shipping on all gifts and orders over $30! Caladiums are colorful, tropical foliage plants that grow as perennials in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. 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