Caladium, Elephant Ear: Planting and Growing

Botany and description

Caladiums are plants belonging to the Araceae family, like Arums or Anthuriums for example. The Caladium genus includes 12 species found across South and Central America. There are many vernacular names: Caladium, Angel Wings, Heart of Jesus, and Elephant’s Ear (though be careful not to confuse caladiums with Alocasias and Colocasias in the latter case).

In their natural habitat, caladiums grow in tropical forest clearings and along riverbanks. They therefore require moist soil and partial shade.

The most commonly cultivated species for ornamental purposes is Caladium bicolor, sometimes called Caladium x hortulanem, with nearly 1000 cultivars. Caladium shomburgkii is also grown ornamentally and has produced many varieties known as “arrowhead” Caladiums due to their leaf shape.

Caladium bicolor-botanical plate 1880

This perennial tuberous plant has a vegetative growth reaching 40 cm to 60 cm in height and width depending on species and cultivars. The green foliage, often variegated with white, cream, pink or red, features broad sagittate leaves measuring 15 cm wide by 45 cm long, shaped like hearts or rather elephant ears. This foliage completely disappears during the dry season in its natural habitat and around October in our regions: the plant then enters its dormant phase.

Like all Araceae, the flower consists of a spathe (resembling a sort of “fry cone”) surrounding a green spadix, a cylindrical spike bearing numerous tiny flowers. The inflorescence is slender, greenish-white, practically hidden beneath the foliage. The inflorescence has little ornamental value and weakens the tuber, so it can be removed without hesitation.

The caladium lives for 2 to 5 years under optimal growing conditions: in greenhouses or conservatories.

All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and may irritate sensitive skin. While not fatal to dogs and cats, caution is still advised for our four-legged friends.

Caladiums offer incredible colour variations. Bottom right shows the spathe flower.

The most beautiful varieties

Caladium bicolor Candidum - Angel Wings

Caladium bicolor 'Candidum' is a very old variety of elephant ear, once highly popular for its extraordinary compound foliage composed of large white leaves finely veined with dark green.

• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

Caladium Aaron - Angel Wings

Caladium 'Aaron' is an old variety still much appreciated for its beautiful pearly white foliage edged with dark green.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Caladium Carolyn Whorton - Angel Wings

Caladium 'Carolyn Whorton' is an extremely decorative variety, tolerating sun better than other caladiums, with large variegated leaves in pink and green enhanced by magenta-pink veins.

• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

Caladium Fannie Munson - Angel Wings

Caladium 'Fannie Munson' is a brilliantly coloured magenta-pink variety, with large leaves edged and veined in dark green and beautifully highlighted by carmine-red primary veins.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Caladium Red Flash - Angel Wings

Caladium 'Red Flash' tolerates sun better than light-leaved varieties. Its large green leaves speckled with pink feature a wide central maculate in bright red, extending into each primary vein.

• Height at maturity 60 cm

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Caladium Rosebud - Angel Wings

Caladium 'Rosebud' is an original variety with large leaves of a beautiful true green displaying a large central maculate and bright pink veins, separated by a white halo.

• Height at maturity 55 cm

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Caladium White Christmas - Angel Wings

Caladium 'White Christmas' is a variety that unfurls large white leaves traversed by numerous dark green veins, the very fine lamina letting light pass through beautifully in transparency.

• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

Caladium White Queen - Angel Wings

Caladium 'White Queen' unfurls large white leaves traversed by primary purple-red veins and fine secondary dark green veins, the lamina being delicately edged with a fine dark green border.

• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

Planting Caladium

Where to Plant?

The soil or substrate should be rich, acidophilous and moist. Caladiums dislike heavy, poorly drained soils as well as dry soils.

Caladiums are tropical plants requiring temperatures between 20 and 25°C (15°C being the minimum survival temperature). These plants are therefore best suited for cultivation in a heated greenhouse, conservatory, or indoors provided sufficient humidity is maintained. They can also be attempted outdoors after the last frosts, though in this case they are typically grown as annuals.

Caladiums require partial shade outdoors or gentle light indoors. Indoors, place your caladium in a bright spot but avoid south-facing windows where direct sunlight may scorch the foliage. In the garden, plant your caladium in partial shade beneath trees.

Avoid placing your caladium near heat sources such as radiators, as this plant thrives in high ambient humidity.

Also protect it from draughts and dry air, which tend to cause leaf curling, whether indoors or in the garden.

Caladium bicolor (© VanLap Hoàng)

When to Plant?

Plant your Caladium tubers outdoors or in pots after the last frosts: March-April, depending on your climate.

How to Plant?

Outdoors

Outdoor planting should be done in partial shade, in humus-bearing soil and after the last spring frosts.

• Loosen the soil to a few centimetres depth: add some compost if necessary;
• Plant your caladium tubers spaced about 30cm apart: position the tuber with the bud facing upwards, covering it with 3-4cm of soil;
• Water thoroughly to moisten the soil around the tuber(s).

In Pots

Plastic pots can be practical as they retain moisture well. However, terracotta pots are more durable and porous: they prevent waterlogging. In any case, choose a pot with drainage holes at the bottom.

→ For small caladium “bulbs”: a 10cm diameter pot will suffice.

→ For larger “bulbs” or biennial repotting: a 15-20cm diameter pot is ideal.

• Place clay pebbles, gravel or simple pottery shards at the pot’s base to improve drainage;
• Fill with appropriate substrate: houseplant or foliage plant compost works well. You could also try mixes like: 1/3 universal compost, 1/3 river sand and 1/3 heather soil;
• Position your caladium tuber centrally in the pot and bury it about 2cm deep;
• Fill the pot with compost, lightly firming with your fingers;
• Water well to moisten the substrate and eliminate any air pockets;
• Use a saucer beneath the pot to catch excess water. This saucer can also contain clay pebbles or gravel to maintain some humidity.

If required due to pot size, repotting should be done in early spring, around March-April.

→ Learn more about growing Caladium in pots and How to plant Caladium bulbs in our advice sheets.

Caring for a Caladium

In the ground

• Water occasionally, especially in summer, to prevent the soil from drying out;
• If you wish to keep your caladiums year after year: dig up the tubercles before the first frosts, in October when the foliage has dried, then store them in some turf or sand, in a dry, cool place (15 to 18°C) and in the dark, during winter.

In pots

• From March to October: keep the compost slightly moist at all times, without excess. Regularly mist the foliage with non-calcareous water (rainwater) at room temperature. You can add some liquid fertiliser for green plants every fortnight or so;
• From 15 June to 15 September: you can move your potted caladium outdoors to the garden or terrace if temperatures are sufficiently high (at least 15°C);
• October-November: stop watering. The leaves of your caladium will turn yellow and then dry out. You can then remove them;
• November-March: place your tubercles in a dry, dark and cool place;
• March-April: start watering the substrate again to encourage new growth from your caladium.

Note: flowering may occur in late summer. This is not particularly attractive and exhausts the plant. You can cut back the flower stems if you wish.

Reminder: Caution, all parts of the plant are toxic: handle your caladium with gloves!

Discover everything you need to know about caring for your Caladium indoors throughout the seasons in our advice sheet.

Caladium bicolor planted in a pot (© Forest and Kim Starr)

Diseases and Pests

Potted Caladiums are susceptible to common houseplant diseases. It’s not unusual to find scale insects, aphids or red spider mites.

→ For scale insect infestations, follow Virginie’s expert advice on the subject: Scale Insects: Natural Treatments.

→ A red spider mite attack on your Caladiums? Don’t panic, follow François’ treatment advice: Red Spider Mites: Natural Treatments.

In open ground, young Caladium shoots attract slugs and snails. Caution is therefore advised in early spring. Aphids may also appear on your outdoor plants: no need to worry though, as predatory insects (ladybirds, hoverfly larvae…) and parasitoids (Aphidius) in the garden will quickly deal with the problem.

→ To learn more, read our article: “Diseases and Pests of Indoor Caladiums“.

Caladium propagation

To propagate your caladium, you can detach between March and April the small tubercles that have formed around the main tubercle.

You can then plant these “baby caladiums” in pots to grow them for a year before either keeping them in containers (in which case, repot into a larger pot) or planting them out in the ground the following spring.

How to pair caladiums?

Dream of Travel in Your Living Room or Office

Indoors, you can place your caladium alongside other tropical plants. Ideally, pair it with houseplants from the same geographical region or even the same botanical family: Monstera deliciosa, Anthurium digitatum, Dieffenbachia seguine… You could also add an Asian companion like Alocasia macrorrhizos or Elephant Ear. That way, if you shout “Elephant Ear?” at home, two plants will answer you.

Caladium on the right, alongside Monstera deliciosa and Anthurium digitatum

Tropical Vibes on Your Terrace

Fancy sipping coffee or tea in a tropical setting? A few potted caladiums will add a splash of colour with their foliage on a terrace, balcony, or in a small courtyard. Pair them with a Dipladenia or Brazilian Jasmine. A beautiful Agave attenuata not only offers striking rosette foliage but also flowers every year, unlike other agaves. Cordylines can thrive in pots for years—like the Cordyline ‘Charly Boy’, whose red hues will perfectly complement the red tones of certain caladiums (Caladium ‘Red Flash’).

Caladium ‘Red Flash’, Dipladenia, and Agave attenuata

A Mini Jungle in Your Garden

Though caladiums are often treated as annuals, they can be grown outdoors in the garden. In this case, plant them in a cool, shaded woodland area, sheltered from direct sunlight and drafts. Complement them with other subtropical plants like a Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica), a Schefflera delavayi (a cousin of indoor scheffleras), or a classic yet reliable Fatsia japonica. Though not very hardy, the striking Abyssinian Red Banana makes a dramatic impact in just one season—though it should be kept in a pot to overwinter indoors. To echo the “elephant ear” foliage of caladiums, try colocasias like Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’. Ferns of all kinds thrive in shaded garden areas, but why not try something more exotic (and slightly tender!), like Blechnum brasiliense ‘Volcano’, a Brazilian fern with striking red-purple young fronds.

Caladium bicolor, Fatsia japonica, Dicksonia antarctica, Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’, Schefflera taiwaniana, and Abyssinian Red Banana

→ Discover more stunning caladium pairings in our guide!

Did you know?

• The genus Caladium takes its name from the Amerindian word “kélady“, the name of this plant in the local dialect;
• Caladiums have been cultivated in Europe since the late 18th century.