How To Care For Caladiums Outside

Moving your caladium inside will save the tubers for spring growth and can possibly extend the foliar season.

How to care for caladiums outside. When they are planted in beds outside they make the garden look very beautiful and attractive because they provide an extremely colorful effect. Wash used containers in hot soapy water rinse well and then soak them in a solution of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water for at least five minutes. Spray your indoor caladium to imitate the moist air of a greenhouse source. Caladiums also can be used for bedding purposes just as petunias and marigolds are.

Planting them outside too early will result in rot to the bulb. All containers should have multiple drainage holes. Caladiums like well drained soil. Even in these areas though a heavy mulching of 3 inches 7 5 cm is the recommended winter care for caladiums to keep them from dying in the colder temperatures.

Use a slow release fertilizer such as osmocote outdoor indoor smart release plant food 19 6 12 or a liquid feed such as miracle gro liquid all purpose plant food 12 4 8. Caladiums grow well with ferns mosses and impatiens. If you intend to grow caladiums in containers to sink in outdoor planting beds choose functional 6 inch wide nursery pots. Grow caladiums in acidic soil that s moist and well drained.

Winter care of caladium bulbs caladiums are winter hardy to usda zone 9 meaning that they should be able to survive the winter outdoors. Give caladium blubs an early start inside you can start caladiums indoors to have immediate impact when planting out according to denise smith brand manager for park seed plants of greenwood sc. Your indoor caladiums only need a liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks. Fertilizer will help strengthen the plants in order to produce adequate tubers for the following growing season.

T hese hardy plants just need a little warm soil and some occasional watering and fertilizer to provide vibrant colors all season long. The plant s special needs make using caladiums as indoor plants rather challenging. Caladiums are largely grown in containers and are available from florists and garden centers during spring and summer. In the tropical south you can leave tubers in the ground year round.

Water your caladium often but don t over water it. The most important factors in caladium care are moisture and feeding. How to feed caladiums. However a few tips on how to care for caladium indoors might see you enjoying the attractive leaves for a bit longer than outdoor grown tubers.

Most caladium varieties do best in shady moist spots. Planting and growing our classic caladium bulbs is a breeze. In fact watering them on a weekly basis is recommended. Plan to plant caladiums in a dark area that could use some bright foliage under trees along the house or in another shady place.