Caladium Kelly - Elephant ear

The Caladium 'Kelly' is a popular houseplant prized for its highly colourful foliage. It grows from a bulb that goes dormant in winter before resuming growth the following spring. 'Kelly' produces large heart-shaped leaves, white in colour with dark green veins and edges, and a few light pink spots on the lamina. The Caladium, cherished in the 19th century for its exotic appearance, is enjoying renewed popularity today. It requires high ambient humidity and warmth, with a minimum of 20°C, as well as good light but no direct sunlight.

The Caladium 'Kelly' is derived from Caladium bicolor. The Caladium genus belongs to the Araceae family and comprises around 15 species native to Brazil and adjacent regions of Central and South America. Commonly known as elephant ears, angel wings, or heart of Jesus due to the shape of their large leaves, these tuberous plants grow naturally in clearings and along riverbanks. They are active during the rainy season but enter dormancy to survive the dry season. Note that all parts of the plant are toxic to humans. There are over 1000 varieties of Caladium.
The hybrid Caladium 'Kelly' forms a clump of leaves measuring 60 to 75 cm in all directions from spring onwards. The leaves, approximately 25 cm long and 12 cm wide, have a characteristic elongated, notched heart shape with a pointed tip. Flowering is rare indoors and rather insignificant; it is advisable to remove it to avoid exhausting the plant. The inflorescence consists of a yellowish spathe surrounding a column called a spadix, typical of plants in the arum family. In early autumn, reduce watering. The foliage dries up, signalling the plant's entry into dormancy. This is the time to dig up the tubers, which will overwinter in barely moist turf or a jute sack, kept in a shady, cool room at 16–18°C. You can also leave the bulbs in the pot, stop watering, and place the pot in a dark, cool room. In spring, bring the pot back into the light or replant the bulbs and keep them at a minimum of 20°C or higher, resume watering, or place the pot in a small indoor greenhouse.

The Caladium 'Kelly' is unmatched for adding colour and exotic flair to rooms such as the living room, bedroom, or office. Place it in a well-lit room, filtering sunlight if necessary. Mist regularly with non-calcareous water and/or use a nearby humidifier. If you can provide the right growing conditions, Caladiums will reward you with exceptional foliage from spring to autumn, with minimal effort. Place your Caladiums in a slightly elevated pot and surround them with lower or trailing plants like Fittonia, Pilea, or Syngonium.