Caladium species humboldtii

What is a caladium?

Caladium is a genus in the araceae and consists of a number of species, all from South and Central America. One species in particular, Caladium bicolour, has been hybridised extensively and there are over 1000 named cultivars, and many other unnamed cultivars in circulation.

Caladiums are grown for their spectacular colourful foliage and can be grown outdoors in warmer areas, or as an indoor plant in cooler climates. Caladiums tend to die down in cooler and drier months, storing food in a fleshy underground structure known as a corm.

Caladium corms many be lifted and stored in a cool, dry place over cooler months, it is important that the dormant corms do not receive excessive moisture as they may rot. Corms can be planted out in spring or alternatively cut into smaller pieces to create new plants.

In tropical climates caladiums slow down, but don’t die down and may be left in the ground or pot, all year round. Caladiums are easy to care for and will thrive in part shade to full sun, provided they have ample moisture in the growing season. Pests and diseases are relatively few although plants grown indoors are susceptible to spider mite and should be treated with the usual horticultural products available.

Caladiums tend to grow to their pot size so the larger the pot, the larger the plant. Caladiums will droop if allowed to dry out so keep the moisture up. They will respond well to foliar feeding (half strength preferred) and also it is advisable to use a slow release fertiliser, applied in the spring.