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Fancy-leafed caladiums grow between 12 and 30 inches tall depending on cultivar and growing conditions. Lance-leafed caladiums are generally a little smaller, usually less than 12 inches tall.
How wide do caladiums get?
How to Grow and Care for Caladium Common Name Caladium, elephant ears Botanical Name Caladium Family Araceae Plant Type Tropical perennial Mature Size 12–30 in. tall, 12–24 in. wide.
Do caladiums multiply?
Caladiums grow from bulbs and can come back each year.
Do caladiums get bigger every year?
Caladiums are tender perennials, growing bigger and better each year in warm climates where they may be left undisturbed.
Do caladiums like sun or shade?
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.
Why are my caladiums small?
Caladiums grow from tubers that look like bulbs, and if the tubers are injured in storage, the plants can be stunted. If this happens, just increase the plant’s shade. Too much water or fertilizer near the plant tubers can also create caladium plant problems.
What plants go well with caladiums?
Annual Companion Plants for Caladiums: Daisy. Celosia. Zinnias. Marigolds. Begonias. Impatiens. Petunias.
How far apart should caladiums be planted?
Caladium tubers are usually planted approximately 6″ apart. Another alternative for northern areas is to plant groups of 3 or more tubers, spaced just 3 to 4″ apart. At the start of the season, these clumps will have a bigger presence than single plants that are evenly spaced.
How do you make caladiums grow bigger?
Take a sharp knife and cut out the large central bud from your fancy leaf caladium bulbs before you plant them. This will encourage the growth of the secondary buds and give you a fuller but just as colorful plant. Fancy leaf caladiums require loose, slightly acidic soil for good root growth and are heavy feeders.
How many years do caladium bulbs last?
Typically, a bulb will last about a year out of the ground before it begins to die. Bulbs store carbohyrates for the next year’s growth and this stored energy diminishes as time goes by. I think it is worth a try to get yours to grow. You will know within 3-4 weeks of planting whether or not they will grow.
How do you make caladiums more colorful?
FEATURE — Tuck them into the garden, pop some in a container or dress up a window box. Then water as needed, add a bit of fertilizer and wait for the color explosion. The showy heart-shaped leaves of caladiums come in combinations of pink, red, white and green.
Where do you plant caladium?
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. They are a great way to add color to shady areas. They are often used as border plants, alongside homes, or in beds.
Why are my caladiums drooping?
Lack of water is the most common reason for leaf droop. Caladiums are not known for having serious pest problems, but they do need a lot of water and warmth. If you are having problems with your plant’s leaves drooping, check the plant over carefully to discover the cause.
How often should I water caladiums?
Caladiums need to be watered on a regular basis, especially during dry conditions. In fact, watering them on a weekly basis is recommended. Caladiums that are grown in containers should be checked daily and watered as needed.
Is caladium an annual or perennial?
Caladium is often grown as a summer annual for the colorful foliage. Caladiums are tropical perennials with colorful, heart-shaped leaves native to tropical forests in South and Central America that have pronounced wet and dry seasons.
Are caladiums slow growing?
Caladiums are notoriously slow to get started when first planted. They are often grown for seasonal color in displays at botanic gardens, malls and other commercial buildings for the Christmas season. All that makes them seem like good candidates for growing as houseplants.
How long do caladium leaves last?
You can expect the showy season to last for 6 months or longer. Caladiums thrive in warm, moist conditions. Give them bright, indirect light and humidity.
Are caladiums invasive?
caladium: Caladium (Arales: Araceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
How do I prune caladiums?
At the end of winter, if your caladium has lost many leaves, feel free to cut the foliage back entirely, this will stimulate the sending of new shoots and will rejuvenate your plant. Remove damaged leaves regularly by snipping them off at the base.
Do caladiums attract bees?
Many plants native to California specifically can be planted with caladiums for a variety of reasons. California lilac (Ceanothus arboreus), for example, grows well in zone 10 and also helps attract beneficial insects such as bees.
How fast do caladiums spread?
Caladiums thrive in hot weather, and warm temperatures can accelerate growth so that they sprout leaves between two and 12 weeks.
What month do caladiums bloom?
Caladium plants bloom anytime from spring into autumn when the plant is in its active growth cycle. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service describes a caladium flower as being an inconspicuous spadix that is less than 1-inch in length, emerging from a trumpet-shaped spathe that is yellowish-green in color.
