Caladiums: the clowns of our garden

Caladium bicolor  'Carolyn Wharton' in a mixed  border in 2012. 

I've come to rely heavily on Caladiums (Caladium bicolor) for color during the later part of the summer. I''ve learned I can use them like bedding plants, to give an edge of continuous color to tie a border together. Their arched stems and hanging leaves can soften the edge of containers. They can also be used as a featured plant, to give  a pop of color in an area dominated by lots of green. They always manage to make me smile.

Caladiums are indigenous to Brazil and neighboring parts of South and central America. They grow in the open forest, and go dormant during the dry season. If you remember that, you'll have success with these entertaining clumps of foliage.

Four years ago I discovered Caladium World   located in Sebring, Florida. During the late winter/early spring they have a comprehensive selection of the colors and sizes of tubers at

C. Carolyn Wharton (Whorton?) 2012 sunny border. 

reasonable prices, although they can sell out of specific varieties quickly. This year I placed my order on New Year's Day to be sure I got the varieties I wanted. They will hold your order until the proper planting time for your location.

Tubers are graded by size. Caladium World carries four sizes: #3 (smallest: 1/2 to 1") #2 (medium 1" to 1.5") #3 (large 1.5 to 2.5") and Jumbo (2.5 to 3.5").  This year our order was (25) # 2 White Christmas, (25) #2 Pink Symphony, (25) #1 Red Flash, and a 3 quart box of mixed strap-leafed and dwarf tubers.

C. 'White Christmas' under Hydrangeas on June 29.

I had thought out carefully where each of those varieties would create the most impact in the garden. Some varieties are able to tolerate more sun than others. Some thrive in shade. The sun tolerant 'Red Flash' would be planted on the roof, under the Peonies, to give color after their flowers were gone. The large size was in hopes that they would be visible from the sidewalk. 'White Christmas' was to be planted under the Hydrangeas on the steps, so that when their blooms faded there would still be some color. The mixed strap-leafed and dwarf varieties would fill in the holes along the fronts of the planters as the California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) succumbed to the heat (and also not being obsessively dead-headed).

C. 'Florida Sweetheart" on July 2. 

My order arrived May 16. I started planting the tubers on May 25. According to my garden journal, the temperatures at night then were still dipping down to the low 50's. Because I'm trying to pack plants into the planters, I will scoop out enough soil to get the tubers about an inch below the soil surface. I then throw a handful of well-rotted compost on top of the tubers. I do not directly water the newly planted tubers, as the cooler temperatures and water can lead to the tubers turning to mush. By June 6, growth from the eyes had started and were about an inch and a half high. Leaves start out as tightly rolled spikes. As the weather warms, the spikes lengthen and the leaves unfurl. At that point in time, night temperatures were now in the upper 50's, daytime mid 70's.

C. 'Red Flash' in the Peonies 7-21.

By late June, with temperatures remaining above 70, the tubers really started to show growth. The leaves throw up taller spikes and unfurl in a day or two. The hoped for weavings of color were becoming pronounced. Now that we are at the beginning of August, the Caladiums are at their zenith.

I'm already re-thinking the color scheme for next year. The 'Red Flash' has been more subtle on the roof than I had hoped for. A more solidly red or pink leaf would work better up there. I've been really happy with the assorted fancy/strap leaf mix. And I think if I still underplant the Hydrangeas, it will be with a color next year other than white.

Mixed dwarf and strap-leafed, 7-21

In late fall, before the first frost, I try to salvage as many of the tubers as I can. I use my hands to claw under them and lift them from the soil. Leaving the leaves attached helps the tubers store more energy for the next year. I try to remember to sort them by color. I lay them in mesh bottom nursery trays, so that they can slowly be dried by moving air currents. I also leave some in tubs which I bring in and store in the basement. The tubers left to dry in trays can eventually (no rush to do it) have the soil shaken off, and the dried leaves carefully removed. Store the tubers in a dry place that is between 55 and 65 degrees. In late May in zone 7, you can plant them for another year of color.

Elephant Ear Colocasia formosana on the Attic Roof Deck. 

C. Pink Symphony under variegated Dogwoods

C. 'Gingerland' 7-21

C. mixture on our front porch, 7-22

C. mixture along 47th St. 7-22

C. Florida Sweetheart 7-22

Side yard, C. 'Pink Symphony' along the fence. 

A few words about Elephant Ears, as they are somewhat similar in growth habits and in growth needs. Many companies sell and ship them at the same time as Caladiums. Colocasias are native to Polynesia and Southeast Asia, where some species are important as food crops. A neighbor often buys her Elephant Ear bulbs in the produce department at the local market as Taro roots.

I bring our potted Colocasias in each fall and keep them bright parts of the storefront or the attic. I water them very sparingly. Some will eventually have total die-back of all of their leaves. When that happens, the bulb is dormant. Stop watering it! Come late May, start to give it small amounts of water. Move the pot out to an out of the way location, and as the weather continues to warm, they will leaf back out again.

Colocasia formosana under my grandmother's Night Blooming Cereus. 

Colocascia gigantea with Oak Leaf Hydrangea. 

One other note on Caladiums and Colocascias. Be careful leaving small children or pets in areas where these are planted. All parts of  Colocasia contain an irritant which causes intense discomfort to the lips, mouth and throat.

Caladiums also contain calcium oxalate. If your pets have a tendency to chew on your garden plants, be sure to plant these in an inaccessible part of your garden. The crystals can cause swelling of the lips, tongue, and oral cavity and could make breathing and swallowing difficult. 

There are a myriad of plant species which can be harmful to pets and children. All gardeners should be aware of them and take steps to prevent accidents. One list of harmful plants can be found here. 

Writing this post, I have discovered a number of other comprehensive vendors of Caladium tubers. I'd love to hear if anyone has recomendations of other companies.

C. bicolor 'Red Flash' in the Hosta garden.