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Caladiums are tropical evergreen groundcover plants that have fascinating leaves and can be an excellent addition to any indoor garden. The enormous, heart-shaped leaves are green-coloured.
Yet, in a few regions, you can find them in various stripes and colours, including white, red, pink, and yellow. Their uniqueness makes them quite popular. Growing caladium houseplants can establish a more appealing look in your indoor garden.
Putting a Caladium in your garden is not enough. It requires sufficient care to grow. In this blog, you will find a few tips about growing Caladium houseplants in your garden. So, read the blog till the end.
First, you should learn a few things and should know about Caladiums:
- Scientific Name: Caladium
- Height: 30 in tall (max)
- Soil: Rich and well-drained
- Bloom season: Spring, Summer, and Autumn
Here Are the Tips for Growing Caladium Houseplants
1. Basic Care
Caladiums flourish in warm and humid conditions with proper sunlight. Make sure it also receives a bright sunray. They favour temperatures of 18 to 30 degrees Celsiusin the UK. Your caladiums can be kept close to a south-facing window. Yet, make sure the plants are protected from direct sunlight, as it might damage their fragile leaves.
People make mistakes as they put the Caladium houseplants in late summer. It’s not right. The proper time to put the caladium in your home is in the late spring. They thrive the entire summer and grow properly until autumn. Caladiums are seasonal evergreen houseplants, and they can bloom every year, especially in the UK. Adequate growth of caladium requires indirect sunlight. In addition, they need proper humidity and care. The leaves could begin to die if the correct care is not taken. Caladiums are also known as Elephant Ears. They can grow up to approximately 30 inches with proper care. In order to grow these types of plants in your garden, make sure you are providing them with accurate sunlight and humidity.
2. Proper Sunlight
As mentioned, caladiums survive at warm temperatures. Thus, give your caladium proper light and indirect sunrays to grow. Caladium plants have the same characteristics as other evergreen houseplants. It is because they are not fans of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight may damage the foliage of the plant. Moreover, it can damage the leaves of Caladium.
Another thing you must consider is cleaning the excess leaves with a shear. You must wait till the leaves become dry in a complete way. After that, dig the plant with the remaining parts and plant them well. Next, clean the soil with a brush and let it soak up the indirect but bright sunlight. In winter, the Caladium plants’ foliage can die or diminish as they miss the bright sunlight during the season. So clean them after their leaves start to diminish. Another thing you must consider is whether the sunlight should be sheltered or not. It may help in the growth process of caladium plants.
3. Soil Care
Soil care is very important in growing a Caladium plant in your home garden. Soil is the second-most essential part of these types of evergreen plants after sunlight. As the plant started growing in the late spring, the soil conditions required more care. A Caladium plant grows in well-drained and rich soil. Make sure you put the Caladium plant in the right soil with the proper humidity. It can help the plant grow up to 30 inches tall and 24 inches wide. The right soil can assist the plant in generating perfect flowers.
Their flowers are fascinating and come in white, green, and pink colours. Just make sure you put the plant in the soil when the temperature is adequate. It may improve the growth of the plant in the garden. Proper sunlight is necessary for the Caladium plants in the UK. Ensure the soil pH level is around 5 to 6 and is a little bit acidic.
4. Timing of Planting Caladium Houseplants
The timing is very important when you are planting the Caladium plant in the UK. Many gardeners make mistakes by putting it in the soil at the end of summer. The right time to plant a Caladium plant is mid or late spring. As mentioned before, these types of plants require proper sunlight. Thus, it may help the plant to consume bright sunlight for the entire summer. Caladiums have been very popular in the European region since the 19th century.
Caladium plants are also very popular in the UK. It has several colours. Putting it in the spring is the best option because it grows properly until autumn. As mentioned before, caladium requires well-drained and rich soil. Thus, you can mix potting soil and peat moss to provide your caladiums with an appropriate atmosphere. Make certain that the ground is in perfect condition. So, spring is the best time to put them in your garden.
5. How to Grow a Caladium Houseplant
Caladiums enjoy conditions of high humidity. Thus, it would be best if you placed a humidifier close by or set the pot of your caladiums on a tray with water and pebbles. As a result, you can increase the humidity in the area surrounding them. For example, plant the caladiums in 2 inches of soil. After that, leave a space of approximately 12 inches. It may depend on the plant’s height. So preserve the tubers and remove them in the autumn.
Autumn is the time to remove tender tubers and bulbs when the threat of winter can kill them. Caladium tubers are cold-sensitive and will perish in freezing temperatures. This process can help your Caladium plant stay healthy in your garden. As mentioned, during the winter, Caladium plants are prone to growing leaves that are yellow or brown. Thus, remove any dead or decaying leaves. It may assist you in maintaining the health of your plant and encouraging new development.
6. Adequate Watering
Watering is as important as providing bright sunlight to the Caladium plants. An adequate level of watering can not only strengthen the plant but also the soil. The soil needed to be well-drained. Proper watering can encourage the soil to support the growth of Caladium plants. Yet, you must avoid over-watering the plants.
Caladiums need constant moisture to thrive, but too much moisture might cause rot in the roots. When the top layer of soil seems dry to the touch, water your caladiums. Take care that you thoroughly water the plant to ensure the roots receive the water. Only use the water that is at room temperature. Proper watering is an organic mix of soil and plant. Moreover, it can help your plant survive the sun’s heat. Inadequate watering can disrupt the growth process of Caladium plants in your garden. Thus, keep watering the plants every day and don’t skip them.
7. Fertilising, Trimming, and Repotting
Caladiums must be fed frequently to thrive. During the growing season, you can apply a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser every two weeks. Be sure to strictly adhere to the directions on the fertiliser package. Caladiums don’t need much cutting, but you can get rid of any damaged or yellowing leaves to promote healthy development. The branches can also be trimmed back to promote wider growth.
Caladiums can quickly outgrow their pots because of their rapid growth. Repotting them should be done at least once every two years. Use new potting soil and select a pot that is somewhat larger than the one you currently have. Another thing you can do is divide the tubers. After that, cut it into small elements. Then, let it dry in the sunlight. You must consider the proper fertilisation process before putting a Caladium plant in your home garden in the UK. A room with proper sunlight and temperature can help you in the process of fertilisation. As a result, the plant can gain an appropriate height with good health.
8. Temperature and Humidity
As mentioned, the proper temperature to grow a Caladium plant in the UK is around 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. Caladiums prefer warm, humid climates. Choose a proper location in your home that receives a lot of bright light and the proper temperature. It’s ideal to place these plants close to a window that receives filtered light. Direct sunlight and overheating can burn the leaves of these plants.
Caladiums prefer situations with a lot of humidity. Thus, you should maintain moisture around the plants. In addition, add a tray of water close to your Caladium plant. It may help in the growth process. Temperature and humidity are essential for the development of the Caladium plant in your garden. Proper humidity can help the plant from getting feeble. Just like proper watering, a proper level of temperature is also required to grow a Caladium plant in your house garden effectively.
One thing you should always keep in mind is to avoid over and excessive temperature. Excessive heat may destroy the leaves of the plant. Similarly, a temperature less than 18 degrees Celcius can disrupt the growth of Caladium plants. Thus, you must focus on providing the proper temperature to grow a Caladium plant in your garden in the UK.
Get Lush Caladium Houseplant in Your Garden
Growing a Caladium houseplant in your garden is enjoyable and pleasant. You can take advantage of stunning, vibrant leaves all year by following these easy instructions. Keep in mind to use the proper soil and water. Fertilise the plant frequently. Then cut and repot the plant. In addition, keep it warm in a humid atmosphere when required. Your Caladium houseplant will flourish and provide delight to your home for years to come with a little love and care.
There are a few things that are not mentioned in the blog. However, this blog covers everything you need to know to get started. There are various types of Caladium plants that exist in the UK. It includes ‘Caladium White Christmas’, ‘Caladium Puppy Love’, ‘Caladium Miss Muffet’, ‘Caladium Creamsicle’, and many more. Each consists of various fascinating characteristics. Some have green, white, and pink leaves or flowers. Some have pink or yellow stripes or spots on the leaves.
I hope this blog gives you an idea about cultivating the Caladium plants in your garden. So next time, follow the above steps to ensure adequate growth of your plant.
