Planting Caladium Bulbs Outside
Caladiums grown in full sun will require more water and will have a bit shorter life span due to the harsher growing conditions.
Planting caladium bulbs outside. Caladiums have proven to be excellent bedding plants for full shade to full sun. Outdoor beds find a location where the soil drains well. Although tropical they grow fast enough to be enjoyed as annuals during the summer in cooler climates and all year long as houseplants. How to plant caladiums.
Select a location in shade or part sun with a good rich moist organic soil. Or amend the soil with the addition of organic material to raise the level 2 3 to improve the drainage. The plant s special needs make using caladiums as indoor plants rather challenging. T hese hardy plants just need a little warm soil and some occasional watering and fertilizer to provide vibrant colors all season long.
Caladiums are tuberous tropical plants that are grown for their spectacularly colorful foliage. Can you grow caladium plants indoors. If you re growing caladiums indoors keep them in a warm room with plenty of light until outside temperatures are warm enough to transplant. Planting and growing our classic caladium bulbs is a breeze.
When you plant caladiums you should plant them about 4 to 6 inches 10 to 15 cm deep and 4 to 6 inches 10 to 15 cm apart. Therefore it is very important to keep them warm. 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. Caladiums will grow in most all soil types.
Please check planting zone chart for ideal planting times. Caladiums are tropical plants and cannot tolerate any frost and only emerge when the soil is warm. Plan to plant caladiums in a dark area that could use some bright foliage under trees along the house or in another shady place. Peat moss compost ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and.
Choose a planting spot. Space them 8 to 14 inches apart depending on the ultimate size of your plants as listed on the tag. Caladiums thrive in warm humid shade and dazzle in shade gardens with their large pointed arrow shaped leaves splashed with shades of green white cream pink. If the area puddles after a good rain you might want to look elsewhere to plant your bulbs.
For full sun tolerant varieties see individual variety pictures. 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. Caladiums will perform well in most any soil. Caladiums are tropical bulbs.
Caladiums like well drained soil. If there are still water puddles 5 6 hours after a hard rain scout out another site. Plant caladium bulbs outside after all danger of frost has passed and daytime temperatures remain above 70 degrees. Caladiums grow well with ferns mosses and impatiens.
Though they re sometimes called bulbs they are really tubers plant tubers point side up about 1 to 1 1 2 inches deep.