Caladium bicolor

Caladiums like to stay evenly moist throughout the growing season. Be careful not to over water them as their roots are quite sensitive to a soggy medium. During the hotter months, water more frequently to keep the soil lightly damp, but not soggy. During the winter months, their needs are much less and you can water less often. Allow the top inch or two of the soil to dry between waterings.

Caladiums prefer low to medium light levels. They can be grown in full sun in the north parts of their range where there is little direct sunlight, but in the south parts of their range the direct sun will burn the foliage. The ideal light environment for most caladiums is bright, indirect light as found in most north facing windows. They also do quite well in artificial light, fluorescent or LED grow lights.

Caladiums thrive in warm temperatures from 65-85 Fahrenheit (18-29 Celsius) and can tolerate cooler temperatures as long as they do not go below 55 Fahrenheit (13 Celsius). During periods of extreme heat, it is important to provide them with additional humidity to keep them thriving.

Caladiums prefer high humidity to keep their leaves healthy and looking their best. The ideal humidity level being around 70-80%. A humidity tray is the easiest way to provide your plant with additional humidity in the typical dry indoor environment. A humidity tray is simply a shallow dish or tray filled with water and pebbles. Place your caladium container on top of the tray for best effect.

Caladiums prefer a light and well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. A good potting soil mix to use is a 2:1 ratio of peat to perlite or a 3:2 ratio of potting soil to perlite. The addition of perlite will help improve drainage, which is important for these water-loving plants.

Caladiums should be fertilized once every month or two during the growing seasons. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer and be sure to dilute it to half strength. Over fertilization can lead to burnt foliage or even death of the plant, so always use caution when fertilizing.

Caladiums can be susceptible to a number of pests. The most common ones being aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. To prevent these pests from infesting your plant, check the plant regularly for signs of infestation. If any are present, it is important to use the appropriate insecticides to control them before they cause too much damage to the foliage. You can also use natural, organic methods like insecticidal soap, neem oil, and predator insects such as ladybugs or green lacewing.

Caladiums should be repotted every two to three years as they are a fast growing plant. When repotting use a potting mix that is specifically formulated for houseplants. You can also mix in some perlite to improve drainage. Caladiums prefer to be slightly root bound so do not repot into a pot that is too large.

Caladiums do not need to be pruned as they are a low maintenance plant. However, if your plant is getting too large you can prune back the foliage to control its size. Be sure to remove any tatty or dead leaves as this will help to keep your plant looking its best. Pinching back the foliage is also an easy way to encourage more compact growth.

Mulching is not necessary for caladiums as they prefer well-drained soil. If you do choose to use mulch, use organic mulch to trap in some moisture and protect the tender roots from extreme temperatures.

Caladiums can easily be propagated from cuttings taken in spring and summer. Simply select a healthy stem and cut just below the node. Place the cutting in a pot filled with moist potting soil and spray lightly with water. New leaves should start to grow within a few weeks. To speed up this process, you can also dip the cutting into a rooting hormone.

Caladiums will not require any support as they are a low growing plant. If you do find that your plant needs a bit of extra support, you can use thin bamboo stakes to provide a bit of extra lift.

Caladiums do not require a rest period and can be grown all year round in warm climates. However, in cold climates it is best to bring the plant indoors and allow it to rest over the winter months. This resting period will prevent the plant from going dormant and eventually dying.

Caladiums can be toxic to pets if ingested. All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate, which is an irritant that can cause skin or mouth irritation if touched or ingested. It is important to keep them out of reach of animals and children.