Looking at Plants

Caladium x hortulanum

COMMON NAMES

Caladium, Angels’ Wings, Heart of Jesus, Elephant Ears

Caladium (kuh-LAY-dee-um) Latinized form of Malaysian name for this plant

x hortulanum (hor-too-LAY-num) – of or pertaining to gardens

There are hundreds (some say thousands) of cultivars out there. Most are probably derived from hybrid combinations of Caladium bicolor and Caladium picturatum, but the naming and status is not definitive, depending on the taxonomist.

GROUP 

Monocot

FAMILY 

Araceae

ORIGIN

South and Central America

DESCRIPTION

Caladium is an herbaceous perennial that averages 12 to 30 inches in height on the fancy-leaved type and 6 to 18 inches in height on the strap-leaved type. It is clump-forming with leaves arising directly from tubers. It has a fast growth rate.

Leaves are deciduous, simple, palmately-veined, and highly variable in shape and color. There are basically two types – 1)Fancy-leaved, which are usually heart to arrow-shaped and 2)Strap-leaved, which are usually more lance-shaped. Fancy-leaved generally have long petioles, 8 to 15 inch long leaves, and attain heights from 12 to 30 inches. Strap-leaved are more dwarf with short petioles, 4 to 10 inch long leaves, and are more compact attaining heights of 6 to 18 inches. Colors are usually some combination of red, white, green, pink, and rose.

The flowers are small, white, and are borne in a boat-shaped spathe and spadix. It blooms in the summer. The flowers are usually removed so more plant energy is devoted to the foliage and the tubers.

Fruit are small white berries, but, again, are rarely seen because the flowers are usually removed.

HARDINESS

It is hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11. Caladiums need a rest period in the winter so they will go into dormancy. In zones 9 to 11, they can usually be left in the ground (in zone 9, it’s good to mulch for protection) and they will survive if it is not an overly wet winter. Outside of those zones, the tubers should be dug and overwintered in storage if replanting is desired. Caladiums like warm weather.

LIGHT

Generally, they prefer some shade, but there are newer cultivars available that will tolerate full sun better.

SALT

Poor Salt Spray Tolerance – it’s risky for this plant to be put in a coastal area as it has minimal tolerance. It would require multiple layers of protection such as in a greenhouse, indoors, or in a small enclosed area such as a courtyard beyond the dunes. 

SOIL

Caladiums will grow on a wide variety of moist, yet well-drained soils in the pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. 6.5.

WATERING

It has moderate drought tolerance once established, but they like a consistent, even water supply, especially in hot, dry weather.

PROPAGATION

Division of tubers – generally, plant when soil temperatures get to about 70 degrees F.; seed – rarely done, because flowers are usually removed and if seed is produced, new plants won’t usually be true to variety.

PRUNING

It is basically limited to removal of dead leaves.

FERTILIZING

It has no special fertilizer needs. Unless a soil test suggests otherwise, a slow-release balanced analysis fertilizer applied per the product label will work.

PESTS

Longtailed Mealybug - University of Florida

Spider Mites - University of California

Slugs - University of Florida

Snails - University of California

Grasshoppers - University of California

Aphids - University of California

Whiteflies - University of California

Root Knot Nematodes - Missouri Botanical Gardens

DISEASES

Leaf Spots - Missouri Botanical Gardens

Root Rots  - University of Wisconsin     on overly wet soils

Dasheen Mosaic Virus - University of Hawaii  on some white cultivars

DEER

Resistant

There are very few totally “deer-proof” plants. There are also, relatively speaking, few plants that are considered a preferred food supply of deer. Most plants fall in the big gap between. One of the biggest variables is the available preferred food supply in a given area. If their preferred food is scarce, they will munch on most anything.

OTHER

USES

Mass planting, shady areas, mixed plantings, borders, containers

TOXICITY

California Poison Control gives Caladiums a listing of:

2a – Oxalates fast onset - The juice or sap of these plants contains tiny oxalate crystals that are shaped like tiny needles. Chewing on these plants can cause immediate pain and irritation to the lips, mouth and tongue. In severe cases, they may cause breathing problems by causing swelling in the throat.

ASPCA gives Caladium hortulanum a rating of toxic to dogs and cats.

Florida Poison Control says: The leaves and stems contain oxalate crystals that cause immediate pain when chewed. Burning and irritation in the lips, mouth and throat can occur. If plant parts are swallowed, vomiting can occur.