If you love the look of the elephant ear plant (Alocasia spp.), but you're on the hunt for more colourful varieties, then caladiums (Caladium spp.) are perfect for you! Not to be outdone by their larger relatives, caladiums shine all on their own with their wide array of colours from green leaves with speckles of white, and green with white and pink centres. So if you happen to have too much green (is there really such thing?) in your indoor jungle, caladiums are a perfect partner to brighten up the room.



How to grow caladium in a pot

  1. Choose a pot at least 200mm wide and deep (or larger, depending on your plant size. Position the pot indoors in a spot that is well lit, but away from direct sunlight.  
  2. Partially fill your chosen planter with quality potting mix, such as Yates Thrive Indoor Plants Potting Mix.  
  3. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any encircled or entangled roots.   
  4. Position in pot and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.  
  5. Water occasionally, allowing the plant to slightly dry out between waterings.  
  6. Feed fortnightly from spring to autumn with Yates Thrive Indoor Liquid Plant Food

How to grow caladium in a garden

  1. Choose a well drained partly shaded spot in the garden and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed. 
  2. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.  
  3. Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes. 
  4. Mulch lightly with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw and water in well.  
  5. Water once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions to keep the soil lightly moist.   
  6. Feed fortnightly from spring to autumn with Yates Thrive Natural Fish Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate

     

Growing tips

  • Keep the leaves clean by wiping with a damp cloth.

  •  All parts of the Caladium plant are known to be poisionous. Take additional care when planting, pruning and around children and pets.  

  • Remove dead stems from the base of the plant to encourage a clean well groomed appearance.   

  • When grown indoors in winter, keep the soil on the drier side as they don’t like having too much water near their base during their dormant period.  

  • Caladiums can go dormant in the cooler months and die down. Don’t fret if this does occur as they will pop up again once the warmer weather hits. 


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