Caladium Care Indoors - Growing Caladiums As Indoor Plants

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. This is okay—they're supposed to do that.

How do you care for indoor caladiums?

Caladiums grow best in bright, indirect light (full sun would fry them in a heartbeat). Keep the soil evenly moist -- do not let them dry out completely, but do not keep them soggy or the tubers will rot. To increase humidity, group pots together -- even with other houseplants.

How much sunlight does a caladium need?

Most varieties of caladium can tolerate up to one to two hours of direct sunlight each day, although some sun-loving varieties enjoy up to three hours of direct sunlight.

Does caladium need direct sunlight?

Most caladium varieties can be planted in either sun or shade. If you are planting them in a sunny location, it is important that they still get some shade during the hottest part of the day. Like most plants, caladiums grow best in fertile, well drained soil.

How do you keep caladiums over winter?

If the beds where the caladiums are planted will stay relatively undisturbed this winter and drain well, you could simply leave the tubers in the ground. Keep the area mulched to protect the tubers in case it's unusually cold. Since the ground here does not freeze, they will survive and come back up next year.

Can caladiums live indoors?

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.

Do indoor caladiums die in winter?

Caladium tubers are frost tender and will die if exposed to cold. As such, they need to be brought indoors in northern climates and will usually die back in winter even in warmer regions. ... There are some special instructions on Caladium care indoors to keep the plants healthy and preserve the tubers.

How do you make caladiums Fuller?

Take a sharp knife and cut out the large central bud from your fancy leaf caladium bulbs before you plant them. This will encourage the growth of the secondary buds and give you a fuller but just as colorful plant. Fancy leaf caladiums require loose, slightly acidic soil for good root growth and are heavy feeders.

Is caladium poisonous to dogs?

What is Caladium Poisoning? The caladium plant is a houseplant with heart shaped leaves that look like wings. In fact, some call this plant angel wings or heart of Jesus. This plant can be very toxic to your dog.

Does caladium like sun or shade?

Caladiums grow best in shade to part shade (two to four hours of direct sun, preferably morning) or bright dappled light. In these conditions, they produce the lushest growth with large, colorful leaves.

Will caladiums multiply?

Worry not, it is only the leaves not the bulb. … Also, caladiums multiply as they grow, so one bulb may have now formed ten. (Hence, richer the soil, better the bulbs). The best thing to do is loosen up the soil from the sides and then dig for the bulbs with your hands.

How often should I water caladiums?

Fertilizer will help strengthen the plants in order to produce adequate tubers for the following growing season. Caladiums need to be watered on a regular basis, especially during dry conditions. In fact, watering them on a weekly basis is recommended.

Do caladiums grow back every year?

The caladium plant (Caladium spp.) grows from bulbs and is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 9 and 10. In warmer climates, the bulbs will come back each year. The tubers are easily damaged by cold temperatures, so you can also remove them from the ground for the winter and replant them in the spring.

Can caladiums be grown in pots?

Although they are only hardy to zone 9 or 10, they are easily grown as summer “bulbs” or as houseplants. Caladiums are easily grown in containers.

Is caladium poisonous to humans?

Like other plants in the Araceae family, caladiums contain raphides that cause symptoms similar to those of dieffenbachia poisoning. Again, although they aren't particularly poisonous for adults (a large amount of the plant needs to be eaten before symptoms appear), they can be very toxic for young children and pets.

When should I start caladiums indoors?

Caladiums grow from a tuberous root that sends out leaves and stem in early summer. Starting the roots indoors six to eight weeks before planting them out in late spring ensures healthy plants and lush foliage as soon as you set them out.

Why do caladiums droop?

Lack of water is the most common reason for leaf droop. ... Caladiums are not known for having serious pest problems, but they do need a lot of water and warmth. If you are having problems with your plant's leaves drooping, check the plant over carefully to discover the cause.

Does caladium need a lot of water?

Caladium is a greenhouse plant that appreciates heat and moisture. Regular but moderate watering is thus called for. All year long, and especially during summer, spray water on the leaves to recreate the moisture levels of its natural habitat.

Do caladiums go dormant in Florida?

When nighttime temperatures drop below 60° F, the leaves will wither and die back. Your caladium bulbs will go dormant until warmer nighttime temperatures return, usually in April. Apply mulch to a 3” depth to protect the bulbs from the cold during the winter.

Do caladiums like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are a good source of slow-release nitrogen, but are also acidic (3.0-5.0 pH). When using them as a side dressing, concentrate on acid-loving plants such as blueberries, raspberries, rhododendrons, azaleas, hibiscus, begonias, caladiums, impatiens, gardenias, citrus (in pots), heathers and most conifers.

What is the best fertilizer for caladiums?

Caladiums are heavy feeders of potash and phosphorus and must have ample moisture and summer feeding of fertilizer in order to produce good tubers for the next growing season. Apply 1 tablespoon of 5-10-10 fertilizer per square foot every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season.

What do I feed caladiums?

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. Wintering Caladiums: In the Tropical South, you can leave tubers in the ground year-round.