Care of Caladium
Tip
Store bulbs at room temperature in a dry area until planting.
Add a general-purpose fertilizer when planting bulbs to improve poor soils.
Removing any blooms will lead to healthier, more dense foliage.
Warning
Too much sunlight leads to leaf browning.
Remove dead or damaged caladium leaves to avoid leaf rot.
Avoid getting fertilizer on caladium leaves, as this will burn them.
Grow caladium outdoors or in containers for its large, colored foliage. The leaves of these tropical plants range from 6 inches to 2 feet long, depending on the variety. The variegated coloring is most often green with pink or white on the inner part of the leaf. Caladiums prefer shade, and in mild climates with no winter frost, they may be grown outdoors year-round. Otherwise, plant caladiums in containers or dig up the bulbs and bring them in before winter frost.
Plant caladium bulbs in a container or garden bed in shade or partial shade. Improve moisture retention by working peat moss into the bed or potting soil.
- Grow caladium outdoors or in containers for its large, colored foliage.
- Caladiums prefer shade, and in mild climates with no winter frost, they may be grown outdoors year-round.
Plant in full to partial shade with the eyes on the bulb facing up. Plant so the top of the bulb is 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches beneath the soil surface.
Keep soil temperature at 70 degrees or warmer. Cooler temperatures lead to bulb rot.
Apply a 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as bark or wood chips, around caladiums. This preserves soil temperature and moisture.
Apply fertilizer to the growing beds or containers every four to six weeks during the spring and summer growing seasons. In most conditions, 1 tbsp. of 5-10-10 fertilizer per square foot or per container is sufficient. Water thoroughly after applying fertilizer.
- Plant in full to partial shade with the eyes on the bulb facing up.
- of 5-10-10 fertilizer per square foot or per container is sufficient.
Keep soil moist at all times. Regular watering at least two times a week is sufficient unless conditions are particularly dry.
Related Articles
References
Tips
- Store bulbs at room temperature in a dry area until planting.
- Add a general-purpose fertilizer when planting bulbs to improve poor soils.
- Removing any blooms will lead to healthier, more dense foliage.
Warnings
- Too much sunlight leads to leaf browning.
- Remove dead or damaged caladium leaves to avoid leaf rot.
- Avoid getting fertilizer on caladium leaves, as this will burn them.
Writer Bio
Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening.
