Caladium Species, Fancy-leafed Caladium, Angel Wings, Heart of Jesus

Caladium bicolor

Caladium bicolor by IslandJim
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Family: Araceae (a-RAY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus: Caladium (ka-LAY-dee-um) (Info)
Species: bicolor (BY-kul-ur) (Info)
Synonym:Cyrtospadix bicolor
Synonym:Caladium x hortulanum
Synonym:Caladium wightii
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Category:

Bulbs

Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure:

Partial to Full Shade

Foliage:

Grown for foliage

Good Fall Color

Foliage Color:

Unknown - Tell us

Height:

12-18 in. (30-45 cm)

Spacing:

6-9 in. (15-22 cm)

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)

USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)

USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)

USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)

USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow:

Can be grown as an annual

Danger:

Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction

Bloom Color:

Inconspicuous/none

Bloom Characteristics:

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Size:

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Time:

N/A

Other details:

Unknown - Tell us

Soil pH requirements:

5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)

6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

Patent Information:

Non-patented

Propagation Methods:

By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

Allow cut surface to callous over before planting

Seed Collecting:

Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds

Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing

Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds

Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds

Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored

Regional

This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:

Green Valley, Arizona

Mesa, Arizona

Anaheim, California

Merced, California

North Highlands, California

San Bernardino, California

Bartow, Florida

Hollywood, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

North Port, Florida

Pensacola, Florida

Pompano Beach, Florida

Sebring, Florida

Tallahassee, Florida

Venice, Florida

Winter Springs, Florida

Conyers, Georgia

Warner Robins, Georgia

Denham Springs, Louisiana

Zachary, Louisiana

Madison, Mississippi

Poughkeepsie, New York

Rochester, New York

Mc Donald, Tennessee

Fort Worth, Texas

Houston, Texas

Mc Kinney, Texas

Muscoda, Wisconsin

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Gardeners' Notes:

5
positives
1
neutral
0
negatives
RatingContent
Positive

On Oct 23, 2008, eliasastro from Athens,
Greece (Zone 10a) wrote:

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful foliage plants!
I enjoy them very much!
Last winter i didn' t uproot them and the tubers rot.
This year i got new tubers and they look beautiful!
They can stand very hot temperatures at shade or little sun.
The leaves are very toxic and should not be touched.
Positive

On Jun 26, 2004, Jamespayne from Sebring, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

I live 15 miles from Lake Placid Florida, "The Caladium Capital of the World"!! Yes, they thrive in my landscape but only in shady areas, and they like to stay moist. During drought periods they will wilt in the heat of mid-day, but after a little sprinkle of water they come back good as new! I like these plants because they can be used in pots or left in the ground through Winter. They always come back larger each Spring, and all of the different varieties to choose from, it makes it hard to make up your mind on what colors to purchase. Place caldiums around a tree and create a beautiful "ring" that bursts forth in many colors! My favorite is the red "Heart of Jesus" variety.
Positive

On Oct 23, 2003, slazik from Lahore,
Pakistan wrote:

Caladium leaves are large, arrow shaped, long-stalked, colored in bands and blotches of red, rose, pink, white, silver, bronze, and green.

Start tubers in March or in the early spring. Pot in a mix of equal parts coarse sand, leaf mold, and ground bark or peat moss. Use 5-inch pot for 2-1/2 inch tubers, 7-inch pot for one larger or two smaller tubers. Soil temperature should be 70° Fahrenheit. Water thoroughly, keep soil moist, not wet and away from sun. Soil temperature over 85° produce more green colour and less brialliant colour. Gradually withhold water when the leaves start to die down. In winter Caladium bulbs can be stored at a temperature between 50° and 60°. Keep warm, moist, away from sun.
Positive

On Jun 9, 2003, IslandJim from Keizer, OR (Zone 8b) wrote:

Caladiums are the best smmer "color" here in northern zone 10. I leave them in the ground all year, and while they eventially die back in February, they come roaring back in March--both bigger leaves and more numerous plants. If you live in or near the area, you might want to catch the 13th annual caladium festival in Lake Placid, FL, this August. A Google search will fetch the details.
Positive

On Jul 2, 2002, lupinelover from Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) wrote:

Tubers can be broken into fairly small pieces to quickly multiply the number of plants.

Tubers must be dried and stored in cool, very dry conditions during winter. They can also be grown in pots indoors; a dormant period is self-induced from time to time.

Plants in active growth can be grown in pots partially submerged in water for bigger and more abundant foliage.

Flowers are fairly insiginifant, and saving seed will result in young plants significantly different from the parent. This can lead to exciting new variations.
Neutral

On Mar 12, 2001, Terry from Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) wrote:

Tuberous perennials are native to South America. Caladiums are grown for their beautiful variegated foliage, which may be lance, heart, or arrow-shaped. Colors range from green and white, green and red, white with red blotches or green veins and some have lavender spots; named cultivars are widely available.

Plant when soil warms and night temperatures are above 55 degrees. For earliest foliage, place each tuber in a plastic pot with good garden soil. Water well and place in warm, well-lit location. Remove from pot and plant outdoors when weather warms sufficiently. Tubers can be dug up and stored in colder climates.
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