Caladium, Elephant Ear: Planting and Growing

Botany and description

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

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

The most commonly cultivated species for ornament 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

The plant is a tuberous perennial whose vegetative part reaches 40 cm to 60 cm in height and width depending on the species and cultivars. The green foliage, often coloured with white, cream, pink or red, features broad sagittate leaves measuring 15 cm wide by 45 cm long, heart-shaped or rather resembling 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.

As with all Araceae, the flower is 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 is not particularly ornamental and weakens the tubercle, 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 admired for its beautiful pearly white foliage edged with dark green.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

See the product sheet

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 variety in magenta pink, 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 of the primary veins.

• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

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

See the product sheet

Caladium White Christmas - Angel Wings

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

• 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 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 and 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, but they can also be attempted outdoors after the last frosts. In the latter case, caladiums will typically be grown as annuals.

Caladiums require partial shade outdoors or gentle light indoors. Indoors, place your caladium in bright light but not behind a south-facing window, as direct sunlight will 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 requires 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 you deem it 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 suitable 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 in the base.

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

→ For larger “bulbs” or for repotting every two years: a 15-20cm diameter pot will be perfect.

• Place clay pebbles, gravel or simple pot shards at the pot’s base. This will further improve drainage;
• Fill with appropriate substrate: houseplant or foliage plant compost works very well. You could also try mixes such as: 1/3 multipurpose compost, 1/3 river sand and 1/3 heather soil;
• Position your caladium tuber in the pot’s centre and bury it about 2cm deep;
• Fill the remaining space with compost and lightly firm with your fingers;
• Water well to moisten the substrate and eliminate any air pockets in the compost;
• Use a saucer beneath your pot to catch excess water. This saucer can also be filled with clay pebbles or small gravel to maintain some humidity.

If needed, when the pot becomes too small, repotting should be done in early spring, around March-April.

→ Learn more about growing Caladium in pots and How to plant a Caladium bulb 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 darkness 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 approximately every fortnight;
• From 15th June to 15th 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 yellow then dry out. You can remove them at this stage;
• November-March: place your tubercles in a dry, dark and cool place;
• March-April: begin watering the substrate again to restart your caladium’s growth.

Note: flowering may occur in late summer. This is not particularly ornamental and exhausts the plant. You may cut back the flower stems if desired.

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

Discover everything you need to know about caring for your indoor Caladium 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 mealybugs, aphids or red spider mites.

→ For mealybug infestations, follow Virginie’s expert advice on the subject: Mealybugs: 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 soon sort out the problem.

→ To find out more, read our article: “Diseases and parasitic pests of indoor Caladiums“.

Propagation of caladium

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 might just 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 stunning Agave attenuata not only offers beautiful 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

If you treat caladium as an annual, you can certainly grow it outdoors in the garden. In this case, plant it in a cool, shaded woodland area, sheltered from direct sunlight and drafts. Pair it with other subtropical plants like a Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica), a Schefflera delavayi (a cousin of our indoor scheffleras), or a classic yet reliable Fatsia japonica. Though not very hardy, the Abyssinian Red Banana makes a striking statement in just one season—though it’s best kept in a pot so you can bring it indoors before winter frosts. To echo the “elephant ear” foliage of caladiums, consider colocasias like Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’. Ferns of all kinds are always welcome 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 beautiful companion plants for Caladium in our guide!

Did you know?

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