The bright, translucent caladium adds surprising color to dark, damp areas of your garden, when other flowers may not be growing. This tropical plant with bright and striking leaves grows from a root tuber. These arrow-shaped taro leaves come in a variety of color combinations and can be grown indoors or outdoors. Read on to learn how to grow and care for caladiums.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Planting Caladiums
Step 1. Check the growing zone (the division of the area in the US based on temperature and climate for growing crops) in your area
Caladium is perfect for growing in zones 15 and up - the hotter, the better. Tubers start growing at 21°C, and taro will die if the temperature drops lower. If you live in an area that is hot and humid throughout the summer, you can grow caladiums outdoors. Otherwise, you can grow caladium as a beautiful indoor plant.
Step 2. Buy tubers or taro in pots
You can order taro tubers (often called bulbs) online or buy them at your local seed seller. The bigger the tuber, the bigger your plant will be. To make planting easier, buy taro that has grown in small pots. This way, all you have to do is move the plant from the pot to the ground (or keep it in an indoor pot) to enjoy its beauty.
- Taro comes in many different colors and varieties. Fancy-leaf taro has large, heart-shaped leaves.
- Strap-leaf taro has a short body with stubby leaves.
- Dwarf taro (dwarf) has small heart-shaped leaves.
Step 3. Choose a planting site
Most varieties of caladium do well in shady, damp areas. Plant caladiums in a dark place so they can show off their bright leaves – under trees, along houses, or in other shady areas. Taro grows well with ferns, mosses and impatiens (plants native to East Africa).
- If you continue to grow caladiums indoors, plan to place them where they don't get direct sunlight. Choose a room that is warm and humid but doesn't get full sun.
- Choose a place that is not exposed to strong winds. The leaves will be easily damaged.
Step 4. Prepare the soil for planting
Taro needs fertile soil and has good drainage. Till the soil to a depth of at least 15.2 cm and add compost or crushed leaves to fertilize it. If you are growing caladiums in pots, you will need fertile standard potting soil.
Make sure the soil has good drainage by digging a hole and filling it with water. If the water remains stagnant, it means that the soil drainage is not very good; You must mix it with organic matter so that the soil becomes loose. If the water seeps into the soil, it means the soil has good drainage
Step 5. Plant your caladiums
Plant the tubers 3.8 cm deep with the pointed side up. Space them 20.3 to 35.6 cm wide, and space them wider if the tubers are large. If you are growing from a caladium that has already grown in a small pot, dig a hole twice as large as the root tuber, then insert the plant into the hole, and compact the soil firmly around the stem.
If you are planting several bulbs together in a large pot, space the bulbs about 15.2 to 20.3 cm apart
Part 2 of 2: Caring for Caladiums
Step 1. Water the taro regularly
Make sure the soil remains moist, but not soggy. Bulbs will rot in muddy soil.
Step 2. Fertilize taro regularly
Use potassium and phosphorus and fertilizer in a ratio of 5-10-10 every month so that growth remains optimal.
Step 3. Treat your caladiums through the winter
If you live in an area with temperatures lower than 21 degrees Celsius in winter, dig up your caladium tubers. Replant the bulbs when the soil is warm again. If caladiums are grown in containers, just keep them indoors during the winter. Taro can also be grown well as an indoor plant. Make sure the plant gets enough sunlight during the day. Fertilize every few weeks with liquid fertilizer.
- If your plant is starting to die, but before the first frost appears, dig up the tubers and remove any wilted leaves.
- Allow the tubers to dry for a few days, then store in a box or paper bag in a cool, dark place during the winter. Discard tubers that are mushy or feel hollow.
- Plant when the soil is warm and ready for your caladiums to grow well.
