Caladium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae. They are often known by the common name elephant ear, Heart of Jesus, and Angel Wing Caladiums exude exotic allure. adds a tropical feel to a garden. Mix well with caladiums, begonia, impatiens and coleus. Good for containers, including hanging baskets, and for shady gardens.
How To Plant Elephant Ears & Caladium
Soil temperature is an important consideration, as planting too early outdoors can cause tubers to rot. These plants thrive in moist, well-drained soil and are generally happier in partial shade. When you plant Elephant Ears & Caladium, you should plant them about 4 to 6 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart If you’re growing caladiums indoors, keep them in a warm room with plenty of light until outside temperatures are warm enough to transplant.
Elephant Ears & Caladium should be planted about one to two inches deep with the knobs, or eye buds, facing up. While this may sometimes be difficult to distinguish in some varieties, those that are planted upside down will still emerge, only slower.
Zones:
Perennial in zones 9-11; can be grown as an annual or houseplant elsewhere.
Height:
18 to 24 inches; dwarf forms under 12" are also available.
Season of interest:
From June until frost.
Leaf types:
Caladiums are divided into two main leaf types:
-
Fancy-leaf caladiums generally have large heart-shaped leaves, sometimes growing to more than a foot long.
-
Strap-leaf varieties typically have narrower arrow- or lance-shaped foliage. Plants are more compact and a bit more cold tolerant.
GROWING INDOORS
Where to grow:
This is the perfect houseplant for warm rooms with sauna-like conditions, such as bathrooms, sun rooms, and solariums. Avoid exposing to drafts and temperature fluctuations. When summer arrives, you can move your pots outdoors to a shady porch or patio.
Light:
Provide at least 4 hours of filtered sunlight from a bright south, east, or west window. Too much sun exposure can cause scorched leaves.
Water requirements:
Keep the soil evenly moist, but allow it to dry out when the leaves start to die back in fall. (Even indoors, caladiums will enter a seasonal dormancy period.) You can resume watering when new growth starts.
Temperature and humidity:
Between 60° to 65° F at night and 70° to 75° F during the day. Grow in a high-moisture environment or use a humidifier to increase moisture levels. Frequent misting can also help boost humidity.
CALADIUM CARE
Watering:
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. Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain moisture.
Fertilizing:
Caladiums don’t need a lot of fertilizer, and using too much can burn the leaves. Recommend using a controlled-release fertilizer at 1/4 strength of what you would normally use for flowering plants. Liquid fertilizer may also be used.
Overwintering:
In warmer climates (Zone 9 or higher), tubers will go dormant and the foliage will die back. Simply cut the leaves to the ground and leave the tubers in the ground. In colder climates (Zone 8 or below), you must dig them up in the fall before frost if you want to replant them the following spring. When the leaves die down naturally in the fall, allow the soil to dry out, then dig up the tubers and store them in a dry location no cooler than 65° F.
Propagation:
Divide tubers in spring after bringing them out of winter storage. Cut each tuber into smaller pieces that contain at least one “eye" or knob from which new growth will start. Allow the cut pieces to dry for a day before planting.