The Green East

Caladium

£8.00
/
Tax included.

If you’re looking to add a splash of "living art" to your home, you can’t do much better than Caladium. They are often called Angel Wings or Elephant Ears because of their stunning, heart-shaped leaves that look like they’ve been hand-painted with vibrant pinks, whites, and greens.

Origin and Background

Caladiums are tropical perennials native to the banks of the Amazon Basin in South America (primarily Brazil). In their natural habitat, they thrive on the forest floor under the canopy of towering trees.

It is important to remember that they are tuberous plants. Unlike your Pothos or Monstera that grow year-round, Caladiums follow a seasonal cycle. In the UK, they usually go dormant in the autumn, "dying back" to their tubers for a winter rest before sprouting again in the spring.

Caladium Care Guide

To keep your Caladium looking lush and vibrant, follow these essential tips:

  • Light: They prefer bright, indirect light. Avoid placing them in a south-facing window with direct afternoon sun, as those paper-thin leaves will scorch easily. A spot near an east or west-facing window is usually spot on.
  • Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. During the growing season (spring and summer), check the top centimetre of soil; if it feels dry, give it a drink. Reduce watering significantly once the leaves begin to yellow in autumn.
  • Humidity: This is the "secret sauce." Coming from the Amazon, they crave high humidity. I recommend keeping yours in a bathroom, using a pebble tray, or grouping it with other plants to create a microclimate.
  • Temperature: They are quite fussy about the cold. Keep them in a consistent room temperature. Be wary of chilly draughts from old window frames or air conditioning units.
  • Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertiliser every fortnight during the growing season to support those massive leaves.
  • Winter Dormancy: When the plant starts to look a bit sad in October, don't panic! It’s just going to sleep. Cut back the withered foliage, stop watering, and keep the pot in a cool, dry place until the weather warms up again in April.
  • Toxicity: Caladiums are toxic if ingested by pets or humans, and the sap can sometimes irritate the skin. It’s best to keep them on a high shelf out of reach of curious nibblers!

Sold without a decorative pot, colour and size may vary slightly.

Local plant delivery or collection available in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland.