Caladium

Care

• Caladium is a plant that does well in the living room from March to October, but also outside on the terrace.
• Place the plant in a light spot, but not in bright sunlight. A shady spot or one with indirect light is also fine.
• Caladium likes heat, so a spot of 20 degrees or more is ideal.
• Due to its large leaves, water evaporates from this plant quickly and so regular watering is important - but don't get it waterlogged.
• When the leaves become somewhat soft or drooping, this is a good indication that the plant needs water.
• To keep the plant healthy, give it plant food once every 4 weeks. 
• In the winter months, the plant will hibernate as a tuber and most of its leaves will die. Remove the dead leaves when they are completely dry so that all the energy from the leaves can go back into the tuber. The plant will then enter its rest period and will sprout again in the spring with beautiful new young leaves!

Colours and shapes

There are a number of different species of this plant - even edible ones! Caladium bicolor is the best known species as a houseplant, with dozens of varieties. In recent years, many new varieties have been added that are characterised by striking colours and patterns, from deep red to dark green, from white to pink. Some have spots or speckles and others have darker edges. 

Origin

The plant is tuberous plant and is part of the Araceae family, which also includes other houseplants with a tuber such as Alocasia and Zantedeschia. Caladium is also sometimes called elephant's ear or angel's wings. The plant is native to the tropical rain forests of Brazil and the Amazon region, where it grows along riverbeds. The tubers are consumed there and are very nutritious.

Tips

• Caladium can also be placed outside from May to September, provided the temperature does not drop below 15 degrees.
• Be careful with pets and children, because Caladium is slightly poisonous if ingested. 
• The name Caladium comes from the Malaysian word keladi, which means plant with edible tuber.