Caladium Maculatum - Elephant ear

The Caladium 'Maculatum' is a popular houseplant cherished for its delicately coloured foliage. It grows from a bulb that enters dormancy in winter before resuming growth the following spring. 'Maculatum' features elongated heart-shaped green leaves, speckled with white and tinged, sometimes veined, with pink. The Caladium, prized in the 19th century for its exotic appearance, is enjoying renewed popularity today. It requires high ambient humidity and warmth (minimum 20°C), as well as good light, but no direct sunlight.

The Caladium 'Maculatum' originates from Caladium bicolor, also known as Arum bicolor, Caladium x hortulanum. The Caladium genus belongs to the Araceae family and comprises around 15 species native to Brazil and adjacent regions of Central and South America. There are over 1000 Caladium varieties. Commonly, they are called elephant ears, heart of Jesus, and angel wings due to the shape of their large leaves. In the wild, these tuberous plants grow 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.

The hybrid Caladium 'Maculatum' forms a clump of leaves from spring onwards, measuring 60 to 75 cm and up to 90 cm in all directions. The large leaves (25 cm long and 12 cm wide) have a characteristic elongated, notched heart shape with a tapered tip. Flowering is unlikely indoors and rather insignificant; it is advisable to remove it to avoid exhausting the plant. The inflorescence takes the form of a yellowish spathe or horn surrounding a column called a spadix, typical of plants in the arum family.

When grown outdoors, reduce watering in early autumn. The foliage dries out, signalling the plant's impending dormancy. This is the time to dig up the tubers, which will overwinter in barely moist turf or a jute sack, kept in a cool, shaded room at 16–18°C. Alternatively, leave the bulbs in the pot, stop watering, and store the pot in a cool, dark place. In spring, reintroduce the pot to light or replant the bulbs, ensuring temperatures of at least 20°C, resume watering, or place the pot in a small indoor greenhouse.

Indoors, the Caladium 'Maculatum' adds colour and exotic flair to rooms such as the living room, bedroom, or office. Place it in a very bright room, filtering direct sunlight with a sheer curtain if necessary, while maintaining a humid atmosphere. If you can provide the right growing conditions, Caladiums will reward you with stunning foliage from spring to autumn, with minimal fuss. This variety pairs well with Caladiums like 'White Christmas' and 'Fiesta', for example.