ALL ABOUT CALADIUMS

START WITH A BETTER BULB

It’s easy to see a difference in quality when you compare two caladium plants side by side. Caladium tubers are graded by size. The largest ones are graded #1 and measure 1.5 to 2.5” in diameter. Smaller tubers are graded #2 or #3. Longfield Gardens offers only grade #1 caladium tubers. These larger tubers have more growth points, or "eyes," and grow into larger and fuller plants. 

PLAN FOR SUCCESS

SHADE AND SUN: Caladiums are ideal for shady yards and gardens. In southern areas they grow best in full to partial shade. In northern areas, most caladiums can also be grown in the sun as long as they get enough water and their leaves are shielded during the hottest part of the day.

ZONE: Caladiums are winter hardy in zones 9-11. In these warm climates, the tubers can be left in the ground all year round. In zones 3-8, caladiums are usually grown as annuals, planted in late spring once the soil is warm. Not sure about your hardiness zone? Check out our zone map here.

WHEN TO PLANT: Caladiums are tropical plants that like warm soil and hot weather. If the tubers are planted into cold soil, they will not grow and may rot. Plant the tubers in spring, once the nights are warm and soil temperatures are at least 65ºF. In cooler climates you can give your caladiums a head start by sprouting the tubers indoors 4-6 weeks before planting time. Plant the tubers shallowly in pots or seedling flats. Keep them warm (70°F) and barely moist to encourage sprouting. 

HOW TO PLANT CALADIUMS

In northern and central areas, plant caladium tubers about 6" apart on center. This will give you a nice, full look. In southern areas they can be planted further apart. When planting in containers, you may want to put them closer together.

Caladium tubers can be planted in individual holes or you can dig out a larger area and plant a few at once.

Plant tubers (smooth side down) approximately 3" deep. After planting there should be 1-2" of soil on top of the tuber.

If the soil is moist, there's no need to water after planting.

WHERE TO PLANT CALADIUMS

CONTAINERS, PATIOS AND DECKS: Decorate your outdoor sitting areas with beautiful foliage. Caladiums grow well in pots and planters, and are the perfect solution for brightening a shady porch or a covered deck.

WINDOW BOXES: Strap leaf caladiums grow beautifully in window boxes and hanging planters. They will wrap your home in color from summer through fall.

ENTRYWAYS AND BORDERS: Use fancy leaf caladiums to soften a walkway to your front door, edge a shady garden bed or line a path beneath shade trees and shrubs.

MAILBOX GARDENS: Surrounding your mailbox with pretty foliage will increase your home's curb appeal and create a charming "mini-garden" for all to admire.

COMPANION PLANTS IN THE GARDEN: Depending on which varieties you choose, caladiums can be bright and flashy or cool and sophisticated. The pinks, greens and whites pair beautifully with other soft colors, and the red-leaved varieties can hold their own when combined with hot-colored begonias, coleus and impatiens.

PLANTING TIPS

Wait to plant your caladiums outdoors until two or three weeks after the last frost date. Nights should be warm and the soil temperature should be 65-70°F. In cool climates this will be early to mid-June.

Most caladium varieties can be planted in either sun or shade. If you are planting them in a sunny location, it is important that they still get some shade during the hottest part of the day.

Like most plants, caladiums grow best in fertile, well drained soil. You can improve the texture and fertility of your soil by adding compost or top soil at planting time. During the growing season, caladiums will appreciate an occasional dose of liquid fertilizer.

To stimulate bushier growth, some varieties of caladiums can be "de-eyed" before planting. Use a paring knife to carefully cut out one or more of the primary sprouts, taking care not to damage the surrounding tissue or any smaller buds. Though at first this will set the plant back by a couple weeks, many other sprouts will soon begin developing, giving you a shorter, yet fuller plant.

CARING FOR YOUR CALADIUM AFTER THE GROWING SEASON

Caladiums are tropical plants and the tubers will not survive cold winters. If you live in USDA zones 3-7, simply treat your caladiums as annuals. There is no need to dig the tubers at the end of the growing season as they will disintegrate over the winter.

In USDA hardiness zone 8, caladiums are not reliably hardy, so you can try insulating the tubers from cold with a thick layer of mulch. Another option is to bring them indoors for the winter. If you want to dig up the tubers, do it before the soil temperature drops below 55ºF. Leave some foliage attached so it's easier to label which variety is which.

After digging, spread the plants out in an area that's protected from rain, cold and direct sunlight. Allow them to dry for at least a week and then cut the foliage away from the tubers, keeping like varieties together. Place the tubers in mesh bags or pack them loosely in dry peat moss. Store in a cool, dark place where the temperature will not fall below 60ºF. Replant in spring.

In zones 9-12, caladium tubers are hardy and do not need any special care to survive the winter. At the end of the summer, the plants will begin to go dormant. The leaves will droop and eventually wither away. Simply leave the tubers in the ground where they are and wait for the plants to re-emerge in spring. As long as the soil is well drained and does not freeze, the tubers will return to give you another great show next spring.

Learn more about caladiums here: Landscaping with Caladiums, How to Grow Summer Bulbs in Containers, Summer Bulbs for Shady Gardens, Tips for Growing Caladiums in Zones 5-7

Shop for caladiums HERE.