Caladium Bicolor

Caladium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae. They are often known by the common name elephant ear (which they share with the closely related genera Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma), Heart of Jesus and Angel Wings. There are over 1000 named cultivars of Caladium bicolor from the original South American plant.

The genus Caladium includes seven species, which are indigenous to Brazil and to neighboring areas of South America and Central America. They grow in open areas of the forest and on the banks of creeks and go dormant during the dry season. The wild plants grow to 15–35 inches (40–90 cm) tall, with leaves mostly 6-18 inches (15–45 cm) long and broad.

Details on source: Wikipedia

Do not be surprised when the fantastic foliage of the caladium suddenly withers inlate season. The plant is not dying; it is only entering a period of rest. Cease watering and take the root ball out of the pot as soon as all the leaves have withered. The ball contains a root tuber which can be kept dry. For storage, avoid a temperature lower than about 15°C (59°F) because the caladium is a native of the tropical forests of South America. To prevent the tuber from drying out completely put it in dampish peat.

The buds will sprout in March or thereabouts. You can then plant the tuber a few centimetres deep in a pot of fertile compost, with a lot of peat added. Wet the compost and put the pot in a closed plastic bag in a warm spot. In this atmosphere the tuber will produce new leaves. Water freely in summer and feed regularly. Make sure the air is as humid as possible. The foliage is too vulnerable to be wiped with a cloth.

Hybridization of caladium species, often with Caladium bicolor as one of the parent plants, has given rise to many beautiful cultivars. They are usually on the market without a name, with the exception of ‘Candidum’, a cultivar with white leaves and green leaf veins.