Caladium Pliage - Elephant ear

The Caladium 'Pliage' is a popular houseplant cherished for its highly decorative and colourful foliage, with spectacular leaves that catch the eye. It grows from a bulb that enters dormancy in winter before resuming growth the following spring. 'Pliage' features elongated heart-shaped leaves in white, veined and edged with dark green, creating a striking contrast. The Caladium, prized in the 19th century for its exotic appearance, is enjoying renewed popularity today. It requires high ambient humidity and warmth, with a minimum temperature of 20°C, as well as good light but no direct sunlight.

The Caladium 'Pliage' is derived from Caladium bicolor, also known as Arum bicolor, Caladium x hortulanum. The Caladium genus belongs to the Araceae family and includes around 15 species native to Brazil and adjacent regions of Central and South America. Commonly, they are called elephant ears, heart of Jesus, or 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. There are over 1000 varieties of Caladium.
The Caladium 'Pliage' forms a clump of leaves from spring onwards, reaching about 60 to 75 cm in all directions. The leaves, measuring approximately 25 cm in length and 12 cm in width, have the characteristic elongated and notched heart shape with a pointed 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 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 spend the winter in barely moist turf or a jute sack, kept in a cool, shaded room at 16-18°C. You can also leave the bulbs in the pot, stop watering, and place the pot in a cool, dark 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 'Pliage' will decorate rooms such as the living room, bedroom, or office. Place it in a well-lit room but not behind an uncurtained window. Mist its foliage regularly with non-calcareous water and/or place a humidifier nearby. Under good growing conditions, Caladiums reward you with superb foliage from spring to autumn. 'Pliage', with its light foliage, pairs well with more colourful varieties like 'Rosebud' and 'Carolyn Whorton'.