Caladiums originated in South America. People often grow Caladiums because of their beautiful foliage that are a combination of shades like red, pink, green, or white. They are hardy and can remain in the ground in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones, starting at the southernmost tip of 9 through 11. You can grow Caladiums in colder zones, but you will need to remove them from the ground in the fall and store through the winter months until it is time to replant them next spring.
Caladiums are easy to plant and grow in the garden. If you have the opportunity to pick out Caladium tubers, try to find the bigger tubers. The largest ones produce an abundance of leaves, because they have more stored energy. You can buy Caladium tubers in some garden supply stores, on-line or in gardening catalogs. You can also buy potted Caladiums that are ready for transplanting right into the prepared garden.
Find the Right Location
Find a planting site that offers partial sun and shade during the hottest parts of the day. Some varieties are more sun tolerant and can grow in full sun exposure without harming them. Check the planting label to determine where yours need to be planted.
Prepare the Garden Site
In May, prepare the ground by removing the grass, weeds, and other vegetation. Caladiums grow best if they don’t have to compete for moisture and nutrients. Dig or til the garden soil, removing any sticks, rocks or hard dirt clods. Caladiums like a soil that is rich and well-drained so amend it with 3 to 4 inches of organic compost.
Level the soil with your rake. Run the tines through the soil to further break up clumps of dirt.
Planting
When the soil temperature is around 70° plant the Caladium tubers in the prepared soil.
Dig the holes for the tubers. Place the Caladium tuber into the planting hole with the knobby or pointed side facing up. The tuber should be 1 to 1.5 inches deep. If you make a mistake and plant the tuber pointed in the wrong direction, don’t worry. The plants will still grow, but there will be a delay of several days later.
Spacing
Space the tubers according to their size. For small bulbs, leave 6 to 8 inches between them. If your tubers are large, space them 12 to 18 inches apart.
Watering
Water the garden area until the soil is moistened, but not soggy or the tubers will rot. When the Caladiums grow keep the soil evenly moist. Mist the Caladiums to provide humidity. Caladiums like to live in a warm, moist environment.
Mulch
Lay a 2 inch layer of organic mulch over the soil around the plants. Keep the mulch about 2 inches away from the base of the plant. If you place it up against the plant, it may make it more prone to disease and insect damage. Mulch also helps the soil to maintain moisture, keep the roots cool and prevent weeds from growing.
Fertilizer
Feed the Caladiums once a week during the growing season with a liquid fertilizer. Read and follow label directions. Alternatively, if you prefer, feed Caladiums with slow-release pellet fertilizer.To apply this type of fertilizer, remove the mulch to expose the ground. Apply according to label directions and then replace the mulch over the soil.
Digging The Tubers
For people who live in the northern portion of zone 9 and colder, you will need to dig the tubers out of the ground in early fall. When the temperatures stay below 60° Fahrenheit, it is time to harvest them. Dig up the Caladium tubers before the leaves loose all their color in the fall. Lay them in a single layer on a screen or tray lined with newspapers to dry for 7 days.
At the end of that time, brush the soil off the tubers and cut off the leaves. Line a tray or box with dry peat moss for winter storage. Lay the tubers over the peatmoss, leaving a 1/2 to 1 inch of space between each tuber. Cover them with another layer of dry peat moss. Repeat this procedure until all the tubers are nestled in their peatmoss bed.
Store the tubers in a dry location where the temperature remains 50° to 60° Fahrenheit until next spring. Avoid a room with high humidity or the tubers may get a fungal decay.
Sources:
Southern Living: How to Grow Caladiums
Classic Caladiums. How to Plant Caladiums
