Planting and Caring for Caladium

Overall Tips

Do not let the bulbs sit wet or they are prone to rot. Water when dry and proceed as you normally would once they start growing.

DO NOT soak the bulbs.

Outdoor Planting

  1. Find a location where the soil drains well. Caladiums thrive in average to moist soil but will not survive in soil that remains soggy.

  2. Depending on the variety sun requirements/tolerance is different, but almost all caladiums love filtered sunlight, indirect light or partial shade. If you are in a hot zone, full shade is fine.

  3. Plant the caladiums bulbs about 2" deep with the eyes facing up, 8-12" apart. Look for the sides of the tubers that appears to have the most "eyes" or growing points; these look much like the eyes on a potato. Even if planted upside down they will still grow and make their way up, so do not over think it.

  4. After planting, water your caladiums generously to settle the soil around the tubers. Roots and sprouts will form in a few weeks, depending on soils and air temperature. (If temperatures are still cool in your area, wait until they warm before planting. Or start your tubers indoors in a pot for earlier blooms. Caladiums like heat.) Do not worry if you do not immediately see growth, it can take up to 6 weeks for them to show signs of life.

  5. Water your caladiums enough to keep the soil slightly damp but never enough for it to be soggy. You can rot the bulbs before they get roots.

Planters, Pots, etc.

  1. Fill your containers with good quality, well-drained soil. Almost any commercially available potting medium will work fine. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes; caladium tubers must never sit in waterlogged soil or they will rot.
  2. Feel free to mix caladiums with other plants in the same container that have the same light and water needs.
  3. Plant the caladiums bulbs about 2" deep with the eyes facing up, 8-12" apart. Look for the sides of the tubers that appears to have the most "eyes" or growing points; these look much like the eyes on a potato.
  4. After planting, water your caladiums generously to settle the soil around the tubers. Roots and sprouts will form in a few weeks, depending on soils and air temperature. (If temperatures are still cool in your area, wait until they warm before planting. Or start your tubers indoors in a pot for earlier blooms. Caladiums like heat.)
  5. Water your caladiums enough to keep the soil slightly damp but never enough for it to become soggy.

 After the season has finished, trim off any yellow foliage to tidy up the garden. In cold areas, dig caladium tubers before the first frost if you wish to save them for next year. Let the tubers air dry for several days, then store them in a cool location in paper bags or boxes filled with peat moss.

Your caladiums will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle.