Their green, pink, red, white and silver variegated leaves complement plants such … Wintering Caladiums: In the Tropical South, you can leave tubers in the ground year-round. Cut larger tubers into chunks with a few eyes (the small pointy buds), then either pot them up indoors or plant them outdoors in the spring (in May for … How to Grow CaladiumsCaladiums originated in South America, so they thrive in warm weather. In order to keep new leaves coming up, it is essential that the plant is fed with a balanced soluble fertilizer around two to three times a month. For an even wider assortment of tubers you can buy online, visit Classic Caladiums, classiccaladiums.com. They are at home in pots and can be placed outside when summer arrives. "Larger, fancy-leaf types (heart-shaped leaves) work best for this. Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. How to Care for All Elephant Ear Plant Types. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Plant type: Tuberous tropical perennial. They've brightened shady spots for generations, but now you have the option of newer selections that can take some direct sun. Caladiums will let you know when they need watering once they are up. Most Caladiums are at home in the shade or partial shade, but some varieties are more sun tolerant (see caladium catalog page) and can be planted in areas with little shade. The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Planting and Care Caladiums can be added to your landscape as tubers (without foliage) or as full-leafed plants. Caladiums are tropical plants and cannot tolerate any frost and only emerge when the soil is warm. However you plant them, always plant tubers with the eyes face-up. Mulch around the planting and keep moist throughout the season. Fortunately, it is possible to enjoy the same plants next … Avoid direct sunlight! You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Fertilize and water regularly. Caladium leaves can be shaped like hearts, arrows, or lances in color combinations of red, pink, rose, white, chartreuse, and green. Credit: The Tuberose (polianthes tuberosa), is a flower that is both mythical and magical, its nectar said by some to have special powers and its scent magical to all who experience it. How to Feed Caladiums: 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. They can be taken out of the ground in the fall, the corms stored during the winter months, and replanted the following spring. Most caladium varieties can be planted in either sun or shade. | If you have followed our planting instructions and have kept the buibs from freezing and are not satisfied, we will gladly replace the bulbs or refund your money. year therefore nothing substitutes for local knowledge. How to Plant Caladiums: Buy potted caladiums ready to plant, or grow them from tubers. Water the Caladium 1-2 times a week. Fertilize every six weeks with a 6-6-6 type fertilizer or slow release type fertilizer. Their rest period isn't determined by temperature or light cycle, but by how long the plant has been growing. If youre growing caladiums indoors, keep them in a warm room with plenty of light until outside temperatures are warm enough to transplant. How to Feed Caladiums: 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. Caladium x hortulanum. If you're looking for a plant to fill a large area, Elephant's Ears are ideal. It’s best to plant them when the temperature during the day steadily holds at 70 degrees F, and when the temperatures at night won’t fall below 60 degrees F. Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Plant caladium bulbs outside after all danger of frost has passed and daytime temperatures remain above 70 degrees. Nurseryman Stewart Myers of Myers Plants & Pottery in Pelham, Alabama, (myersplantsandpottery.com) has been planting thousands of caladium tubers every year for the last 30 years. Ideally, caladiums should be planted in a partially shaded area, but most are capable of growing in full sun. Place them in dry peat moss to store. For the best indoor light a northern or eastern window is usually the best place. The more transparent varieties are more sensitive to light compared to the less transparent varieties. They may also be used in window boxes and make stunning patio container plants. They are also at home indoors in pots. And remember, Full planting instructions come with all bulbs. Store in a dry location at 55 degrees or above. In USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11 caladiums with foliage can be planted at any time of the year, though bare tubers are usually planted in the spring. Your email is safe, we don't share emails. Generally, plant your bulbs with the soil temperatures warm to 65°F-70°F. The brilliant foliage of this classic plant is often translucent, which makes them light up your garden. Care of Caladium Plants: Overwintering Caladiums It seems a shame to have such a showy plant only give one season of color. Caladiums (Caladium bicolor) add color to your garden from spring through fall. Humidity is crucial to Caladium houseplant care as the tubers are native to South American tropical forests and produce seasonal foliage during the rainy, warm season. Caladiums grown in full sun will require more water and will have a bit shorter life span due to the harsher growing conditions. These plants thrive in moist, well-drained soil and are generally happier in partial shade. Their tall stems (2-3 ft.) and rather sparse, grass-like foliage make them ideal for interplanting. (Though they're sometimes called bulbs, they are really tubers.) Use about a teaspoon per bulb. The opportunity to have your very own Tuberosesunfolding in your yard or garden is one not to miss. Get member's only special offers, planting tips and tricks and more plus a coupon for 10% off your first order! © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. Fertilize and water regularly. Pruning is not necessary, but you should remove dead or damaged leaves during growing season to make your plant look neat. Zones: Perennial in zones 9-11; can be grown as an annual or houseplant elsewhere. Light for Caladiums: All caladiums love filtered sunlight and shade. The main colors are red, pink and white, and each different type of Caladiumhas its own unique and exciting color combination of two or more of the above colors. Space them 8 to 14 inches apart, depending on the ultimate size of your plants as listed on the tag. Planting Caladium Bulbs. As foliage begins to die down in the fall, reduce water, dig up and air dry bulbs for a week. As such, they will need to be planted when the air and soil temperature is warm. Plant bulbs blunt end down beneath 2 inches of soil. Many people who practice this type of farming say that the plant is very tolerant and you can plant it anywhere you like. Brush off the dried soil gently from the tubers, and clean them with a dry cloth. Offer valid for 10% off first purchase for new subscribers to our list. Photo by: Ralph Anderson. While this may sometimes be difficult to distinguish in some varieties, those that ar… Caladiums are colorful, tropical foliage plants that grow as perennials in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. Caladiums thrive outdoors during the warmer months and add a lush, exotic touch to your yard or garden. With roughly seven species, these plants can grow to be anywhere from 15 to 35 inches tall and with leaves as broad as 18 inches. Your information is safe, we don't share emails, period. Caladium Plant Care. Elephant's ear bulbs produce large, leafy plants which add a tropical look to a home landscape. Plant the top of the bulb 11/2 to 2 inches below the surface with the eyes up. His secret? If you’re growing your Caladiums as garden plants or outdoor plants, provide them with filtered sun or shade. Caladium tubers should be planted about one to two inches deep with the knobs, or eye buds, facing up. Frequently mist the leaves of your plant with water to provide them some humidity. Nights should be warm and the soil temperature should be 65-70°F. In the spring after the last frost, plant in a sunny spot, beneath about 2 inches of soil and 8 inches apart. Plant tubers point side up about 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches deep. Plant one bulb in a 6 inch pot and keep at 75 degrees for an earlier summer bloom. Store tubers above 55 F to minimize loss of healthy tubers.