Caladia: grow colorful plants from a tuber

Kaladien: Bunte Pflanzen aus einer Knolle ziehen - FARBIO® - Nachhaltige Bio-Flüssigdünger aus Hamburg

The caladium (Caladium bicolor) belongs to the aroid family and is also known as variegated leaf or elephant ear. It is a hybrid plant, the genus Caladium originally comes from South and Central America. The different breeds have produced bright leaf colors, which is why the different variants have now become popular houseplants.

Feature: Colorful leaves

The basic colors of the heart-shaped leaves are green, white, red and yellow. The type of patterns vary, can be filigree or large spots. The white flowers of the houseplant are rather inconspicuous compared to the colored foliage. Caladiums are rather small at 20 to 40 centimeters, except for Caladium humboldtii with only green and white leaves, which can grow to 60 centimeters.

Care for caladiums properly

Since caladiums are tropical plants, they need a semi-shady location without direct sunlight with temperatures constantly above 20 degrees Celsius. The leaves should not be sprayed as the plant is very sensitive to lime. Since it still needs high humidity, the bathroom is an ideal place. Caladiums should not be watered with cold water as this will damage the roots. The special thing about caladiums is that they belong to the tuber family and can therefore be grown from a tuber in spring. A tuber serves the plant as a storage place for starch.

Small caladiums

In autumn the plant sheds its leaves and only the tuber remains. This can overwinter in the old soil and does not even need light. Temperatures must be consistently above 15 degrees Celsius and the tuber needs a sip of water once a month to prevent it from drying out.

Pull out of the tuber

From March, the tubers can then be removed from the old soil and the new life cycle of the plant can begin. Every year, the tuber forms so-called daughter tubers in order to multiply. These can be cut off with a knife before planting. It is important that each section has a so-called eye, because that is where the dormant shoots are located.

The tuber should be watered before planting in new soil. The tuber must be placed in the pot with the eye pointing upwards. It is then covered with about 2 centimeters of soil. A temperature between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius is important for successful rooting. It takes about 6 weeks for leaf tips to show.

The right care for your indoor plants is the FARBIO® organic fertilizer for green plants . It supports and strengthens your plant with important nutrients that are essential for the healthy growth of all parts of the plant.