Growing Caladium In Containers

Since this is not a fast growing plant for a container combo you may want to start with a large specimen.

Growing caladium in containers. They require a period of dormancy over the winter months so hold off on watering once they stop growing and winter dormancy begins. Apply the soluble fertilizer as instructed on the label once a month directly to the soil without spraying or poring it on the leaves. Keep the soil moist. Select a container that is 4 to 6 inches deep to house your caladium bulb and provide sufficient room for the roots to grow.

All cultivars will flower but some blooms aren t showy so snip them off if you like. Plant caladium tubers 4 6 inches deep and about 6 inches apart to give them a bit of room to spread. Keep the pots indoors or in a greenhouse in a brightly lit area at about 70 degrees fahrenheit. Caladiums grow equally well in containers or in the ground.

They are lovely grown as mass plantings on the edge or border of a garden bed. Next water the plants frequently so that the soil stays moist but not soggy. Or plant them with coordinating colored blooms of fuchsia and impatiens. If you re starting caladiums in containers to sink into garden beds about four weeks before the last frost date plant about three tubers per 6 inch pot.

While it is referred to as a bulb you will actually be planting a tuberous root. Applying mulch around caladium plants will help to conserve and maintain moisture even in containers. Follow these steps to successfully grow a caladium in a container. They pair nicely with ferns and other soft textured plants like astilbe as well as with spiky leaved plants such as ornamental grasses and shade tolerant iris.

Since caladiums are considered tender perennials they must be dug up in the fall and stored indoors over winter in cold climates. A balanced fertilizer with npk about 8 8 8 will do the job. In northern areas where the soil temperature may not reach 70 f until june planting caladiums in containers gives the tubers a big head start. Caladiums that are grown in containers should be checked daily and watered as needed.

The tubers should be planted with the eye buds facing up if possible. To grow caladiums plant the tubers in a moist shady location at least 6 to 8 inches apart in well draining soil. With all that color and at 6 to 18 in. Soil temperatures are usually higher in containers and caladiums appreciate that extra heat.

Step 1 select your container. Caladiums grow very well in pots and planters including hanging baskets. Feeding your caladium during the active growing is a must if you want good size tubers to develop for the next season.