caladium care outdoors

Outdoor Caladium Care Tips

Only plant caladiums outside after all danger of frost has passed.
Caladiums prefer well-drained soil and high humidity.
Partial sunlight is best for the outdoor caladium. ...
Plant the caladium where it will not be affected by strong wind. ...
You may find it necessary to supplement the soil for the caladiums.

Do caladiums 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.

Can caladium grow outside?

Caladiums thrive outdoors during the warmer months and add a lush, exotic touch to your yard or garden. 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.

Do caladiums do well in full sun?

Full sun - light shade. Caladiums do best in containers in this part of the country and usually need to be in a protected warm location for best results. Like a sunroom or warm patio setting. If growing outdoors select the warmest protected locations in the garden.

Do Caladiums come back year after 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.

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 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 need 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.

Can you leave caladium bulbs in the ground over winter?

You may simply leave the caladium tubers in the ground if the bed where the caladiums are planted will stay relatively undisturbed and drains well. Keep the area mulched this winter to protect the tubers in case it is unusually cold. Because the ground here does not freeze, they will survive and come back up next year.

Can caladiums take afternoon sun?

Sun-Tolerant Caladium Cultivars

Sun-tolerant cultivars can stand more than 2 to 3 hours of direct sun a day, but they still might benefit from at least some afternoon shade, especially in warmer zones.

Why is my caladium dying?

Soil moisture is critical for caladiums. If they are not receiving a steady supply of water, their leaves will wilt. After a period of time without water they will go dormant and drop their leaves.

Are caladiums toxic to cats?

Green, heart-shaped leaves splotched with pinkish-red are the signature feature of this pretty yet poisonous houseplant. Toxic to both dogs and cats, chewing on Caladium causes extreme irritation and swelling of the mouth, tongue and throat as calcium crystals cause soft tissue injury.

How do you take care of caladiums in the 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.

Is caladium an annual or perennial?

Caladium is often grown as a summer annual for the colorful foliage. Caladiums are tropical perennials with colorful, heart-shaped leaves native to tropical forests in South and Central America that have pronounced wet and dry seasons.

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.

How do you care for caladiums?

CALADIUM CARE

Watering: Provide enough moisture throughout the growing season to keep the soil evenly moist. ...
Fertilizing: Caladiums don't need a lot of fertilizer, and using too much can burn the leaves. ...
Overwintering: In warmer climates, caladium tubers can be left in the ground year-round. ...
Propagation:

Can you over water caladiums?

Grow caladiums in acidic soil that's moist and well drained. Water your caladium often, but don't over water it. Spray your indoor caladium to imitate the moist air of a greenhouse [source: Plant Care].

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.

Are caladiums hard to care for?

They are likely to start dying back on their own because it is very difficult to maintain the level of humidity they need in a house, especially through the winter. When that happens, allow them to rest. You can store them right in their pots.

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.