Caladium bicolor
Angel wings, Elephants ears, Heart of Jesus, Mother in law plant
Also known as Caladium x hortulanum
- Height × spread
- 0.9m × 0.9m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Popular exotics that are grown for their beautiful leaves. These are roughly heart-shaped. The back of the leaf has rear-facing wings, a form that is described as being 'sagittate'. The leaves are poised on their sturdy stems and a well grown specimen is elegant and eye-catching. The surface of the leaf is patterned in shades of red and white as well as having a generally green base. There are many showy cultivars available. The flowers are small, in the formation of arums with a spathe, and don't notice much. They are generally dormant during winter but can be kept and regrown the following year.
- Flower colour
- Green, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Red, White
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Horizontal
- Height
- 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.9m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 13C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten; skin & eye irritant
AutumnNow
Autumn-Winter · Indoors
Keep dry during dormancy
Keep dry during the period of dormancy or resting, which is likely to be from the middle of the autumn until spring.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth
Adopt a regime whereby plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost for repotting
Ericaceous compost is lightweight, so if a light pot is used put heavy crocks in the base, and if the compost dries out, water by standing the pot in water until it has been absorbed.
Some plants require acidic compost to make healthy growth because they are unable to absorb the correct nutrients in soil that contains lime. These plants are called 'calcifuge'. This applies to many rhododendrons, blueberries, and some heathers.
Indoor temperature · Planting
13C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 13 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.
Found in
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