A Caladium
How-To Guide

Caladium House Plant or Tropical Zone 7-10 High Water Use Full Shade to Part Shade 2' 6" (75cm) High 18" (45cm) Wide Rapid Growth Rate

These plants are a genus of tropical plants native to South America. They are prized for their large, decorative leaves, whichcan be a combination green and red, green and white, or red and white depending of the variety. They achieve full growth in one growing season. They are not cold-hardy, but their tubers may be dug up, stored, and replanted after the last frost.

Care

Plant bulbs outdoors once soil temperatures have reached 70 degrees. Tubers will rot if placed in cold soil. Keep the soil moist, but not wet.

After lifting the bulb for winter storage, allow them to dry out for a week. Then clean dry soil and dead leaves from the tubers and pack them in dry peat moss or vermiculite. Store them where the temperature will not drop below 50 degrees.

Uses

They are great in borders, either mixed with other foliage plants or with flowers. They also make terrific house plants.

Problems

These plants can suffer tuber rot as a result of improper storage.

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Source: flickr.com; Photographer: Carl Lewis