PLANT PROFILE:
Caladium

The Caladium is one of the best choices for the shade-filled garden. This South American tuber grows about 12 inches tall and produces a small flower, yet it is not grown for its flowering ability. It enhances any shrub or perennial border, is great in containers, and can be kept indoors as houseplants during the winter months.

Caladiums come in pink, red, green, silver and white and many variations and blends, bringing a punch of color to the most dismal of garden beds. The arrow to heart-shaped leaves are veined, edged, or spotted in many variations and numerous colors.

Caladiums like it warm and perform best when the summer sun heats up. And while garden centers are readily supplying many Caladium variations, resist buying them for your outdoor gardens until temperatures are reliably at or above 70 degrees. The plants should be planted indoors six weeks before they are to be planted outdoors. Grow Caladiums in moist evenly-drained soil, fertilize with a general purpose organic fertilizer, and top dress when planting with an organic compost and mulch. Cut old and dying leaves to encourage new leaf growth.