Caladium Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 20th Oct 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Caladium plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

Angel Wings, and Elephant's Ear: Cultivation & Garden Use

Members of the Caladium genus are half hardy perennials and bulbs, but as they can not tolerate frost they are usually grown as ornamental annuals by gardeners.

They are a commonly grown house plant.

They are also known by common names such as Angel wings, Lance-leaf Caladium, Heart of Jesus, Elephant's Ear and Mother in law plant.

Photograph by Tanaka Juuyoh, CC.

Caladium plants can reach a height of one to two feet (30 to 60 cm) and are grown by gardeners who prize their variegated leaves, which are often striped red, green or silver.

Plants like to grow in hot areas and are ideal as both a container plant or when grown in mass in beds and borders. They are a very useful plant for adding season long color to shady parts of the garden.

Caladium plants do not have a flowering season; they are grown for their wonderful foliage; leaves may be heart or lance shaped.

Photograph by Turtlemom4bacon, CC.

How to Grow Caladium Plant Bulbs

If planning to grow Caladium plants then it is best to grow from tubers, these should be buried at a depth of two inches (5 cm) in the spring.

If you have seeds they normally take one to three months to germinate at a temperature of 75 to 84°F (24 to 29 °C).

If growing from seeds (only in warm areas, with no chance of frost), then they should be used fresh and once sown lightly covered with topsoil.

Caladium seedlings should then be put out with a spacing of around 20cm into a rich acidic soil in a sunny part of the garden. Although best foliage color is produced when grown in sunny areas of the garden, these plants are also attracted in shady parts of the garden.

Caring for Caladium plants

Caladium care is pretty simple: plants need to be watered regularly during the summer. In very cold areas it is necessary to remove Caladium plant tubers out of the soil and take indoors (store in sand) at the end of autumn to protect them from deep frost.

Propagation is best in the spring, split the tubers, ensuring that each new tuber has at least two eyes.

Information on Caladium and Commonly Grown Garden Species

The Caladium genus is a South America genus of plant that belongs to the Araceae family. Although there are only 11 or 12 members in the Genus, their popularity with gardeners, especially with 18th century Europeans, has led to the creation of over 1,000 different cultivars of the Caladium species.

Caladium bicolor

Caladium bicolor is also known as the Heart of Jesus - These cultivars have heart shaped leaves.

Caladium schomburgkii

Caladium schomburgkii also known as the Elephant Ear - These have lance shaped leaves.

Caladium schomburgkii (Schomburgkii Elephant Ear), photograph by Yercaud-elango; CC.

Caladium lindenii

Caladium lindenii (Indian Kale), picture by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.

Other species include:

• Caladium coerulescens
• Caladium macrotites
• Caladium tuberosum

Commonly Grown Caladium / Elephant ear Cultivars

'Moonlight Caladium'

Caladium 'Moonlight caladium' photograph by Quinn Dombrowski; CC.

Caladium x Hortulanum 'Red Flash'

Red flash Caladium photograph by James St. John; CC.

As one of the 107 genus members of the 3,700 species Araceae family, Caladium are closely related to plants such as Anthurium, Arum Italicum, Zantedeschia, Colocasia and Xanthosoma. This family of plants are classified as having an inflorescence that is known as a spadix, which is often, in part, enclosed by a leaf.

Specific Plant Information and Tips on Growing Caladium in the Garden

Caladium bicolor – Common names include Fancy leaved Caladium, Elephant Ears, and Angel Wings. Commonly grown cultivars include Florida Cardinal, Raspberry Moon, and Scarlet Beauty.

These plants are grown for their beautiful foliage, leaf petioles grow directly out of the bulbs and may reach 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm), they then bear an heart shaped, variegated leaf, leaves may contain green, white, pink, red, or gray colors.

As this Caladium likes to grow in warm climates and therefore should be treated as an annual in areas that are subjected to frost. They also make beautiful house plants. Space at about 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm).

Plants can be grown as perennials in zones 9 to 11, and as annuals in other areas. However, even if you live in a frost free area, it may still be necessary to bring tubers indoors if you live in an area that gets a lot of winter rainfall, as tubers may rot.

Caladium Growing Guide and Facts

Common Names: Elephant's Ear, Angel Wings, Lance-leaf Caladium, Heart of Jesus, Mother in Law Plant.
Life Cycle: Half hardy perennial commonly grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
Height: 12 to 24 Inches (30 to 60 cm).
Native: South America.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 10. As a perennial in zone 9 to 10.
Flowers: N/A Grown for its foliage.
Flower Details: Colour: N/A. Inconspicuous.
Foliage: Green, pink, purple, gold, silver, cream, white. Cordate. Lanceolate. Variegated.
Sow Outside: Cover fresh seed; plants do not often come true from seed. Corm: 2 inches (5cm). Best started indoors.
Sow Inside: Germination time: one to three months. Temperature 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C). Start bulbs indoors towards the end of winter. Transplant outdoors in late spring/early summer; minimum temperature should not fall below 60°F (15°C).
Requirements: Full sunlight or light shade; best results in full sun. Good drainage. Soil pH 5.5 to 6.5. Rich soil. Moist soil. Mix in manure. Regular feed. Regular watering.
In cooler areas restrain from watering in the autumn and bring tubers indoors before they are subjected to frost. Store in sand in a cool dry frost free place.
In frost free regions, tubers can remain in situ over the winter, but do not water. Propagate: dividing tubers in the spring; each tuber should contain two eyes.

Leaves of Pink Caladiums photograph by garlandcannon; CC.

Common Questions

How many members does the Caladium genus have?

The Caladium genus includes around 12 species.

Do members of Caladium make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, Caladium is valued for its vibrant and colorful foliage, making them excellent for borders and container gardens.

Which Caladium species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Caladium bicolor (Heart of Jesus) is frequently grown for its colorful, heart-shaped leaves.

Are members of the Caladium plant genus fragrant?

No, Caladium plants are not known for their fragrance, but they offer visually striking foliage.

What is the perfect location to grow Caladium?

Caladium thrives in a location with partial shade to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Is Caladium invasive in the USA?

At present, Caladium is not considered invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Caladium plants from my garden?

Remove Caladium by digging up the tubers, ensuring to remove all parts to prevent regrowth.

Summary

The Caladium genus is part of the Araceae family, originating from South America. Recognized for their large, heart-shaped leaves in a variety of color combinations, they're often used to add a touch of color and tropical flair to gardens or as houseplants.

To grow Caladium, plant them in a shaded or partially shaded location with well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Plant the tubers in spring after the last frost, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. They are not frost-tolerant and prefer humid conditions, making them more suitable for indoor cultivation in cooler climates.

I hope that you enjoyed this Caladium plant growing guide, you may also enjoy learning how to grow the following Arum family mambers in your garden: Arum italicum, Arum plants, Aglaonema commutatum, Aglaonema modestum, and Zantedeschia.