What is a caladium?
Caladium (Caladium bicolor), sometimes called angel wings or heart of Jesus, is a tropical tuber from South America prized almost entirely for its flamboyant foliage. The paper-thin, heart-shaped leaves come in a spectacular range of colour patterns — white with green veins, candy-pink with dark borders, deep red edged in green — making it one of the most ornamental foliage plants in the world. Indoors it works as a bold summer specimen; outdoors in warmer climates it thrives as a shade-garden annual. It goes dormant in winter and regrows from its tuber each spring.
How much light does a caladium need?
Caladiums evolved under the dappled canopy of tropical forests, so they want bright, indirect light — ideally near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a south- or west-facing one. More light generally means richer, more saturated colours; too little light shifts leaves toward plain green. The one light rule to respect: no harsh afternoon sun directly on the leaves, which bleaches and scorches the thin, unprotected tissue.
How often should you water a caladium?
Caladiums like consistently moist soil — more so than most houseplants — but they absolutely cannot sit in waterlogged compost. Water about every 5–7 days in active growth, letting only the top inch of soil dry out first. In autumn, as the plant heads into dormancy, taper off watering and stop almost entirely once the leaves have died back. Overwatering when the tuber is dormant is the most common cause of rot.
Why do caladiums need such high humidity?
Their thin leaves have a large surface area and lose moisture quickly. In dry indoor air (below 50% relative humidity) the leaf edges brown and crisp within days. Caladiums thrive at 60% humidity or above — a bathroom or kitchen window can work well, or use a pebble tray filled with water kept just below the pot base, or a small humidifier nearby. Misting is less reliable but helps in a pinch.
How do you store caladium tubers over winter?
When the leaves die back in autumn, dig or unpot the tubers, brush off excess soil, and let them cure at room temperature for a day or two. Store them in a paper bag or box of barely moist peat or coco coir at around 60°F (15°C). Check monthly — discard any soft or rotting tubers. In spring (after the last frost date if grown outdoors), pot the tubers hollow-side-up, about an inch deep in fresh compost, water sparingly, and place in a warm bright spot to trigger new growth.
Are caladiums safe to keep around pets?
No. The ASPCA lists caladiums as toxic to cats and dogs. Every part of the plant — leaves, stems, and tubers — contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense burning and irritation in the mouth and throat, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting if chewed. Keep caladiums on shelves or in rooms that pets cannot access.