Caladium
Angel wings, Elephants ears, Heart of Jesus
- Height × spread
- 0.9m – 0.9m × 0.9m – 0.9m
- Position
- Part shade
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 12 species of these dramatic plants. They come from South America as well as the West Indies. They are grown for their beautiful, usually somewhat heart-shaped leaves that are coloured and patterned in shades of red, white, green and pink. They are grown as houseplants in the UK where they are happy in warm spots in some shade. They enjoy high humidity and benefit from regular spraying. These plants have a period of winter dormancy and are often thrown away at this time. If kept warm and dry they should produce fresh foliage in the spring.
- Flower colour
- Green, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey, Pink, Red, White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube, Horizontal
- Height
- 0.9m – 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.9m – 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
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 13C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
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
More Caladium
Caladium 'Candidum'
Angel wings, Elephants ears, Heart of Jesus, Mother in law plant
Caladium bicolor
Angel wings, Elephants ears, Heart of Jesus, Mother in law plant
Caladium bicolor 'Aaron'
Angel wings, Elephant's ears
Caladium bicolor 'Flash Rouge'
Angel wings, Elephant's ears
Caladium lindenii
Angel wings, Elephant's ears