The caladium (Caladium bicolor) belongs to the arum family and is also known as colorful leaf. It is a hybrid plant, the genus Caladium originally comes from South and Central America. The different breedings have produced colorful leaf colors, which is why the different variants have now become popular houseplants.
Special feature: colorful leaves
The primary colors of the heart-shaped leaves are green, white, red and yellow. The type of patterns vary and 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 Caladium humboldtii with exclusively green-white leaves, which can grow to 60 centimeters tall.
Caring for caladiums properly
Since caladiums are tropical plants, they require a partially shaded location without direct sunlight with temperatures consistently above 20 degrees Celsius. The leaves should not be sprayed as the plant is very sensitive to lime. Since it still requires high humidity, the bathroom is an ideal place. Caladiums should not be watered with cold water as this damages 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 as a place for the plant to store starch.
In autumn the plant sheds its leaves and only the tuber remains. This can overwinter in the old soil and doesn't even need light. Temperatures must be consistently above 15 degrees Celsius and the tuber needs a drink of water once a month to prevent it from drying out.
Pull from the tuber
From March onwards, the tubers can be removed from the old soil and the plant's new life cycle can begin. Every year the tuber forms so-called daughter tubers in order to reproduce. 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 facing 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 appear.
The right care for your houseplants is the FARBIO® organic fertilizer for green plants . It supports and strengthens your plant with important nutrients, which are essential for the healthy growth of all parts of the plant.
