Caladiums are one of the finest gifts of spring and summer. Even if these plants’ flowers rarely, they are considered beautiful. The unique heart-shaped leaf with multi-colors playing on them does not allow us to miss the absence of flowers.
Gardeners all around the world adore caladiums. If you are an enthusiastic gardener and do not know a lot about caladiums, you may find your queries here. Here you will gather basic ideas on caladium, its growth, and cultivation techniques.
Do caladiums multiply & spread? Do they come back yearly?
Caladium multiplies and spread. They multiply as they grow. Once again, they do come back yearly. For the plants to come back, the climate needs to be warmer. In cold temperatures, the growth of caladium is hindered, and they won’t survive. Caladiums are short-lived and perennial plants.
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Caladiums are leafy plants and seldom blooms flowers. The leaves are heart-shaped. One will notice the fantastic colors of pink, red, green, and white on the leaves.
Caladiums growth thrives only in hot and humid weather. They also require partial shades to grow. On colder days, the plants would not survive.
Nevertheless, one may keep them as indoor houseplants with sufficient warm temperatures. The plants grow nicely during the summer and spring. Also, they make come back each year.
There are mainly two basic types of caladiums, Strap-leaved, and fancy-leaved caladium.
The strap-leaved caladiums are generally smaller, with a typical height of 12 inches at most. These types have tapered elongated leaves. Strap-leaved caladium can be kept both indoor and outdoor in warm weather and shades.
Again fancy-leaved caladium is large compared to the previous one. The leaves are heart-shaped. They grow up to12 to 30 inches in height. This breed grows best in the outdoor environment.
How fast do caladiums multiply & spread?
Caladiums favor a hot and humid climate. The warmer the ground and the temperature of the air, the faster they will thrive. Generally, to germinate, the caladium bulbs take between two to twelve weeks.
Moreover, the temperature must be above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is below this threshold, then it may take a longer time to germinate. Or you may even need to start the process from the beginning.
Caladiums can grow in both outside and inside environments. They grow from spring to autumn. The plant will lose its leaves when the tuber gets ready to hibernate in winter.
How to multiply/spread caladiums? How do you make them grow bigger?
With proper care growing caladium plants is not that difficult. Here we jotted down how you can grow and multiply the caladiums with some key tips.
Multiply or spread caladium:
Plant selection:
Take a caladium plant that is already grown. Make sure that the plant has multiple stems with leaves.
Take the plant out:
From the soil, take out the plant carefully. Clean it with water thoroughly without damaging the plant.
Identify the tuber:
The tuber of the plant will be attached to the roots at the bottom. It is black to brown.
Cut the tuber:
Now cut the tuber in half in the middle. In this way, you will get two separate plants.
Soil mix:
Any kind of soil mix is okay. Use organic materials in the soil.
Planting caladium:
Once you get two separate caladiums, plant them in your soil bed or containers.
Water the plants:
Finally, water the plants. Watering is required regularly.
Growing caladium plant:
Identify the central bud:
Each tuber of the caladium has a large central bud. Two or more secondary buds surround the central bud.
Cut the central bud:
Before planting, use a sharp knife to cut the large central bud. It will allow the growth of secondary buds. The plant will grow nicely with fuller volume.
Ideal factors for caladium growth:
Temperature:
The temperature should be 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature lower than that would hinder the growth.
Shade:
Caladiums grow best in either full or partial shade. They also can tolerate heavy shade. You again need to ensure shade in the hottest part of the days.
Plant bed:
Evenly moist soil is ideal for caladium growth. Dry soil would lead to discoloration of the leaves.
Watering caladium:
The soil should be evenly moist in the growing season. So regular watering is necessary.
Proper drainage:
There should be an adequate drainage system. Standing water will rot the bulb.
Soil condition:
The soil used in cultivating caladium should have plenty of organic elements. Also, it should be acidic. The level of pH should be less than 6.0.
Fertilizer:
Once a week, apply fertilizer if the soil is nutrient-deficient. Do not use too much.
Protection:
You should select a place protected from severe wind or hailstorms.
Space:
Maintaining a 4 to 6 inches gap, plant the caladiums. Again, cover the tubers with 10 to 15 cm deep inches of soil.
Growing indoor:
If you are planting indoors, you need to ensure that the room is warm.
Do caladiums reproduce?
Caladiums do not reproduce from cutting. However, if a leaf is attached to a tuber and one puts it in the water or soil, it will develop roots.
To reproduce a caladium plant, one needs to divide the tuber. Once you replant the divided tuber, each tuber will grow into a new plant.
The tubers need planting in the summer or spring. During winter, they will not grow. Nevertheless, you can store the tubers in winter. Again able to replant them in the spring.
Make sure to store the tubers in warm temperature from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You may also dust the tubers with a fungicide to prevent infections.
How do caladiums spread?
Caladiums may not spread on their own. The spreading needs stimulation by the planters.
For that, first, you need to unearth the root system. Now separate the small tubers from the main ones. By cutting or sectioning the tubers using a sharp knife, you can get multiple tubers.
Now once each of the tubers is separated carefully, plant them on the soil. Each of the sections will grow into caladium plants. This is how you can allow the caladium plants to spread in your garden.
Do caladiums last all year? How long will they last?
No, caladiums do not last all year long. You can expect caladiums to stay and grow for six months and longer. Of course, the temperature and weather should be fitting. The temperature needs to be between 65 to 70degrees Fahrenheit.
When the cold days approach, caladiums will stop growing and cannot survive eventually. You can, however, store the tubers for next season plantation that is usually the springtime. While safekeeping the tubers, you need to ensure a warm temperature.
What month do caladiums come back?
Caladiums come back in the spring. So yes, if you have stored your caladium tubers or considering planting caladium plants, the season should be spring. We know that caladium growth thrives in warm temperatures.
During winter, caladium tubers can go into winter dormancy. They again grow in the spring as the soil temperature rises. The soil now goes to the perfect hardiness zone of 9 through 11, suitable for caladiums to grow.
How do you save caladiums next year?
To save caladiums for next year, you need to dig them as soon as you can. Also, allow them to dry in a shady and well-ventilated area.
After 7 to 10 days, you need to remove the leaves and the dirt. Now put the tubers in dry peat moss with vermiculite or other similar organic material. Tubers should not touch one another.
Make sure the soil beds for the caladiums stay undisturbed and drained as well. You can leave the tubers now in the ground.
Again, ensure a warm temperature. You can use the mulching technique to avoid cold temperatures. If the ground does not freeze, they will be ready to service and grow back the following season.
Are caladiums perennial or annual?
Caladiums are perennial plants. They are native to South America as perennial tubers. According to the US Department of Agriculture and plant hardiness zone, caladiums fall under zones 9 through 11.
Their growth stops in the winter. Again, they can reemerge back in the spring.
Are caladiums invasive?
Caladiums are native to South America. They are the perennial plants of that specific region. Nevertheless, how is it possible that we see them almost everywhere in warmer areas?
It is perhaps because they are invasive species. They have marked their places in different regions of the world apart from their native lands.
Final Thoughts
Caladium during its growth season multiplies and spread beautifully. These species of plants are perennial and short-lived. Caladiums thrive in the warmer climate while is not able to survive in the cold temperature. With proper technique and care, they can be grown effortlessly.