The Caladium, often called the Heart of Jesus Plant, Angel Wings, or Elephant Ears, is a tropical perennial grown for its spectacular foliage rather than its flowers. Its leaves feature vibrant combinations of red, pink, white, and green, providing a lush, exotic feel. Native to the warm, humid rainforests of Central and South America, these plants are typically grown from tubers, making them a popular choice for seasonal color in temperate climates. Successful cultivation requires conditions that closely mimic its native environment, focusing on warmth, moisture, and filtered light. This guide covers planting and maintaining this striking foliage plant through its active growing season and required period of winter rest.
Initial Planting and Soil Requirements
Successful growth of the Caladium begins with proper timing and a suitable soil environment. As a tropical tuber, the plant requires substantial warmth. Tubers should not be planted outdoors until the soil temperature consistently reaches 65°F to 70°F, typically after the last spring frost. Planting into cold soil delays sprouting and can cause the tuber to rot.
The ideal growing medium must be rich in organic matter and exceptionally well-draining to prevent water retention around the tuber. For garden beds, amend the soil with compost or peat moss to improve structure, aiming for a slightly acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Plant the tuber about 1.5 to 2 inches deep with the knobby side, which contains the ‘eyes’ or growth points, facing upward. Large tubers should be spaced 8 to 12 inches apart, though container plantings can be denser.
Essential Light, Temperature, and Humidity Conditions
Caladiums are sensitive to environmental factors, especially light and temperature. They thrive in bright, indirect light or partial to full shade, which protects their delicate leaves. Direct, intense afternoon sun often scorches the leaves, resulting in faded colors and dry patches.
While many traditional varieties prefer shade, newer cultivars tolerate more sun exposure, though they still require consistent moisture to prevent leaf burn. The plant needs warmth, with daytime temperatures ideally maintained between 70°F and 75°F. Nighttime temperatures should never fall below 60°F, as cooler conditions can trigger premature dormancy or severely damage the plant.
High ambient humidity is important, with an ideal range of 50% to 80% necessary to keep the large leaves from drying out. In drier home environments, humidity levels can be increased through several methods.
Humidity can be increased by placing the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water, which creates a localized humid microclimate as the water evaporates. Grouping the Caladium with other plants or utilizing a room humidifier also provides necessary moisture without resorting to frequent misting, which can encourage fungal issues.
Active Season Maintenance: Watering and Fertilization
Consistent moisture management is necessary throughout the active growing season. The soil should be kept uniformly moist, but never waterlogged or soggy. Allowing the soil to dry out completely, even briefly, causes the leaves to yellow and drop quickly.
Container plants may require daily watering during peak summer heat due to faster evaporation. Applying organic mulch around outdoor plants helps regulate soil temperature and retain moisture. Once foliage emerges, the plant benefits from regular nutrient support to fuel leaf production.
Apply a balanced, water-soluble liquid fertilizer or one slightly higher in potassium every two to four weeks during the growth period. Over-fertilization can burn the leaf edges, so many growers use a quarter-strength application more frequently. Removing spent or yellowing leaves encourages the plant to direct energy toward producing new, colorful foliage.
Preparing the Plant for the Off-Season (Dormancy)
As a tropical tuber, the Caladium requires a period of dormancy, especially when grown outside of perennial zones (USDA Zones 9-11). When temperatures drop and daylight shortens in the fall, the plant naturally enters this phase. Foliage will begin to yellow and die back, at which point watering should be gradually reduced and then stopped.
Once the foliage has withered, the tubers must be lifted from the soil in climates prone to frost. Dig up the tubers before the first hard frost and allow them to cure in a dry, well-ventilated location for one to two weeks. This curing process allows the skin to harden and excess moisture to dissipate, which prevents rot during storage.
After curing, trim off remaining foliage and roots, brush away loose soil, and store the tubers in a dry medium like peat moss, vermiculite, or dry sand. The storage container should be kept in a dark, well-ventilated area where the temperature remains consistently above 50°F, with 55°F to 65°F being the ideal range. The tubers remain dormant for a minimum of 10 weeks before replanting the following spring.