How to Grow Caladiums

Plant caladium bulbs outside after all danger of frost has passed and daytime temperatures remain above 70 degrees. Caladiums are tropical plants and cannot tolerate any frost and only emerge when the soil is warm. Select a location in shade or part sun with a good rich moist organic soil.

Where do Caladiums grow best?
How much sun does a caladium need?
Are caladiums easy to grow?
Do Caladiums come back year after year?
Do caladiums multiply?
What is the best fertilizer for caladiums?
Do caladiums like lots of water?
Can caladiums grow in full shade?
Should I soak caladium bulbs before planting?
Do caladiums like coffee grounds?
Are caladiums poisonous to dogs?
What grows well with caladiums?

Where do Caladiums grow best?

SHADE AND SUN: Caladiums are ideal for shady yards and gardens. In southern areas they grow best in full to partial shade. In northern areas, most caladiums can also be grown in the sun as long as they get enough water and their leaves are shielded during the hottest part of the day.

How much sun 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.

Are caladiums easy to grow?

Growing caladiums is easy with proper caladium care. These tropical-like plants are commonly grown for their multi-colored foliage, which may be green, white, red, or pink. Caladiums can be grown in containers or clumped together within beds and borders.

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.

Do 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.

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.

Do caladiums like lots of water?

CALADIUM CARE

Provide enough moisture throughout the growing season to keep the soil evenly moist. If you allow the soil to dry out, the leaves may yellow and drop.

Can caladiums grow in full 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.

Should I soak caladium bulbs before planting?

You would use similar spacing in a patio container. Caladiums like a little bone meal or 6-6-6 once a month or so - more for cladiums in full sun. Watering in early am/late pm seems to make 'em happy - you don't need to soak the ground. Again, caladiums in sun, want more water, too.

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 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.

What grows well with caladiums?

Caladiums grow extremely well in containers – including hanging baskets. Plant them alone or mix them in with other heat-loving annuals such as coleus, impatiens, licorice plant, euphorbia, tradescantia, lysimachia, begonias and elephant ears.