Caladium Growing Conditions
Though they re sometimes called bulbs they are really tubers plant tubers point side up about 1 to 1 1 2 inches deep.
Caladium growing conditions. Growing requirements for caladium plants. Indoors or out caladiums are a seasonal plant with foliage in the summer and a rest period in the autumn or winter. Caladiums are a subtropical tropical perennials. Make sure that each new tuber section has at least one growing site.
Tubers of mature caladium can be divided. How to plant caladiums. Caladiums grown in full sun will require more water and will have a bit shorter life span due to the harsher growing conditions. Caladiums are tuberous tropical plants that are grown for their spectacularly colorful foliage.
Caladiums grow in many different sizes so make sure to choose a container that allows for sufficient growth. Caladiums are hardy. Caladiums are easy to grow plants but they tend to be fussy about their growing conditions. Caladiums can be grown in containers or clumped together within beds and borders.
Caladiums will grow in most all soil types. Although tropical they grow fast enough to be enjoyed as annuals during the summer in cooler climates and all year long as houseplants. Additionally caladium plants produce leaves only from spring to fall and then require a rest period of around five months to recharge and sprout anew in spring. Space them 8 to 14 inches apart depending on the ultimate size of your plants as listed on the tag.
After a certain number depending on variety of growing days they go into a resting dormant period. The planter should be at least 18 inches wide and deep and it should have drainage. Primarily they like heat plenty of moisture and relatively high humidity. Growing caladiums is easy with proper caladium care.
From our experience they have a variety specific genetic growing period. These tropical like plants are commonly grown for their multi colored foliage which may be green white red or pink. Their rest period isn t determined by temperature or light cycle but by how long the plant has been growing. Bulbs may not last for multiple seasons in less than ideal soils but they will grow just fine for a single season even in hostile mediums.
They grow well in areas that are semi shade and they can grow to a height of between 12 and 30 inches long depending on the available conditions. Buy potted caladiums ready to plant or grow them from tubers. On the other hand lance or strap leafed caladiums are small in size long with ruffled leaf margins and usually they grow to a height of 12 inches long. Growing caladium as indoor plants has its challenges though as the plant requires high humidity and heated home interiors are generally quite arid.