Caladium Winter

Yes, you can leave caladiums in pots over winter. Allow the soil to dry out completely, remove all of the leaves after they die back, and store the pot in a cool, dark, and dry location until spring.

Can caladiums survive winter indoors?

Your Caladium is going into winter dormancy. With a bit of help from you, it can survive winter indoors and come back year after year. When dormancy sets in, stop watering. The soil needs to be completely dry because moisture can cause mildew and rot.

Will caladiums come back after winter?

Just as potato tubers provide us energy when we eat them, caladium tubers provide energy stores for tubers to go into winter dormancy and grow again in spring as the days lengthen and the soil temperatures rise in the right hardiness zones.

What month do caladiums go dormant?

Caladium tubers are hardy in zones 8-12 and do not need any special care to survive the winter. As the plants enter dormancy in late summer or early fall, the leaves will droop and eventually wither. Simply leave the tubers in the ground where they are and wait for the plants to re-emerge in spring.

Can caladiums be left in ground over the winter?

You may simply leave the caladium tubers in the ground if the bed where the caladiums are planted will stay relatively undisturbed and drains well. Keep the area mulched this winter to protect the tubers in case it is unusually cold. Because the ground here does not freeze, they will survive and come back up next year.

How do you save caladiums next year?

If you want to try to save caladium tubers for another year, dig them as soon as possible and allow to dry in a well-ventilated but shady area. After 7 to 10 days, remove leaves and dirt, then pack in dry peat moss, vermiculite or similar material for storage. Pack tubers so they do not touch each other.

What is the lowest temperature a caladium can tolerate?

The containers can be kept in bright or dark conditions but the temperature should never be below 55ºF. Begin watering again when new growth appears in the spring. A caladium grown as a houseplant.

How do you keep caladiums alive indoors?

When grown indoors, they do best with lots of heat, bright but indirect light, and plenty of humidity. Even under the best conditions, caladium foliage lasts only a few months before the leaves start to die back and the plant goes dormant again, which is normal.

How do you hibernate a caladium?

Place your plants in a cool, dark area for 2 to 3 weeks. This process will cure the bulbs and cause them to go dormant. After a few weeks, cut the tops off level with the soil line. Brush away any loose soil, cut out any rotted areas, and apply a fungicide.

How many years do caladiums last?

The life span of a caladium bulb is typically around 3 years.

Do caladiums last all year indoor?

When grown indoors, they do best with lots of heat, bright but indirect light and plenty of humidity. Even under the best conditions, caladium foliage lasts only a few months before the leaves start to die back and the plant goes dormant again.

What time of year do caladiums come back?

In temperate countries where they have seasons, caladiums usually go dormant when the temperatures drop and the days shorten during autumn and winter. During spring and summer, they spring back to life. This is likely an adaptation for them to survive in the cold seasons as its often warmer in the ground.

What do dormant caladiums look like?

As the bulbs dry out and go dormant, these will shrivel and look like brown hairs on the bulbs. The areas where the bulbs get cut or broken will scab over and heal. Something important to remember is that even the smallest piece of a caladium bulb will grow. So, save them all.

Why didn't my caladiums come back?

Tip. Caladiums grow from bulbs and can come back each year. However, they are short-lived as perennials and do not survive cold temperatures, so they are often treated as annuals.

Do caladiums do better indoors or outdoors?

Caladiums thrive outdoors during the warmer months and add a lush, exotic touch to your yard or garden. Most Caladiums are at home in the shade or partial shade, but some varieties are more sun tolerant (see caladium catalog page) and can be planted in areas with little shade.

Should I cut back caladium?

Prune caladium plants every 2-3 weeks, removing all damaged or dead leaves in the process. Make sure to dispose of all discarded foliage at a safe distance. Caladium plants respond well to regular fertilization.

Can caladium survive 40 degrees?

They are likely to survive temperatures as low as the 40s, but one freeze, and they've had it. If you grow caladiums in containers instead of in the ground, you may bring your pots indoors when nighttime temperatures begin to dip below 60°F, where they may thrive as houseplants.

Do caladiums do well in pots?

Caladiums grow beautifully in containers and in landscapes that have well-drained soil. If you garden in heavy clay, you'll want to grow your caladiums in containers or raised beds. Fill your patio pots, window boxes and hanging baskets with the low maintenance, all-season color that caladiums provide.

Do caladium bulbs come back every year?

Caladiums are tropical perennials that come back every year within their hardiness zone (8,9,10,11) when provided with proper care in the growing season and dormancy period. However, as perennial tubers, they are short-lived and do not survive cold temperatures.

How long do caladiums last indoors?

Caladium thrives indoors in indirect light, making this South American native a spectacular tropical accent for your home. You can expect the showy season to last for 6 months or longer. Caladiums thrive in warm, moist conditions. Give them bright, indirect light and humidity.