Caladiums, commonly known as Angel's Wings, are tuberous perrenials. They should be planted in late spring and need temperatures of 70 - 90 degrees. They love shade and need moist (not soggy) soil. They should be planted 2-3" under the soil. You should lightly apply a fertilizer about every 5-6 weeks. They can also be grown indoors as potted plants. Only place one or two tubes to a pot unless using a very large pot as they need plenty of room to grow.
When the leaves start to die, cut back on the water and remove the tubes to dry and store for next year. Be sure to keep them in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area. If the tubes are not kept warm, they will rot. In some Southern areas (such as Florida), they are used as annuals.
Caladiums are bi-colored and come in a variety of colors. The varieties we have in our yard are pink and green, red and green, and green and white. They come in many other shades also. The size of the heart-shaped leaves may vary from 6 inches to 2 feet in length.
Caladiums, while lovely, are also poisinous. All parts of the caladium are poisonous. Ingestion can cause severe irritation to the mouth and throat and may also be an irritant to the gastrointestinal tract.
A great reference site on Caladiums is: Caladium World
Below are some wonderful picfurs of my caladiums from my garden. Click on the thumbnails to see the larger image. All pictures/graphics copyright 2000.
