Caladium – Heart Of Jesus Plant

The Caladium (common names: the heart of Jesus, angel wings, and elephant ear) is a tuber plant grown for its attractive papery thin, and bi-colored leaves.

The only downside of seeing the foliage produce its lovely color is that it soon dies off until the next year.

Description

The plant genus (caladium) is not short of varieties, which consists of over 1000. Most are hybrids from the C. bicolor and sold with by the name of C. x hortulanum (hybrids). Many other common names are used for these hybrids including the rosebud, frieda hemple, lord derby, and a fair few others.

These are low-growing foliage plants that only grow up to 25in (60cm) tall, with large leaves growing up to 18 inches (45 cm) long.

How it looks: The arrow or heart-shaped decorative leaves are very thin and have a papery texture. These leaves grow up from the tuber buried in the soil on quite thin stems. Some of the eye-catching color mixtures are impressive, such as the lord derby that displays green and pink leaves with green veins, and the candidum with white leaves displaying prominent green veins.

Growing caladium indoors: The caladium is a tuber plant so the foliage only lasts from late spring until the beginning of fall, but they are well worth having around for the summer displaying their attractive colors.

Tubers can be placed in moist potting soil (about 2 -3 inches deep) at the beginning of spring with temperatures of no lower than 75ºF (23ºC). Once shoots appear begin taking care of the plant as advised below.

Growing Tip! If you would like to encourage tubers to begin growing quicker then place the pots on a heating mat.

After the growing period: After the yellowing leaves have started to wilt; remove the tubers from the pots and allow the tuber to dry out “anywhere in the house that’s warm enough”. Remove any excess stems; they’re now ready for planting in potting soil and stored away until next spring returns.

Displaying: The heart of Jesus plant is best placed in a window box or container and they make a great plant for growing around garden borders. They look much better in a row than one single plant, although it’s up to what the individual grower prefers and wants to do. These also make great balcony and patio plants, if the temperature is warm enough.

Facts

Caladium Care

Elyssa Goins

Elyssa Goins is an experienced house plant hobbyist who maintains over a hundred plants. She is a gardener, beekeeper, and a proud mother of four.  She is a member of the American Horticultural Society, has a published study in the National Social Science Association, and loves to talk about her love of plants.  For the past twenty years, she’s been all about growing and caring for various fruits, veggies, herbs, livestock, kids, and houseplants. Managing a big garden to feed four growing kids and raising dairy goats has taught her so much about being an excellent plant parent and now is her time to share with you.