Caladiums are tropical plants that are native to South America and are grown primarily for their showy leaves.
Since they are only hardy in Zones 10-11, they are treated as a summer bulb in the other zones, and should not
be moved to the garden until late spring.
The flowers are borne on a fleshy spandix surrounded by a sometimes showy spathe, but are rather insignificant and often removed
to prevent the plants from setting seed. Use fancy-leaved caladiums to add a splash of color to your shady beds and borders.
The large variegated leaves are usually heart or arrow-shaped and can be shaded with white, pink, deep rose, red, maroon,
and shades of green. Some cultivars have different colored edges and are often veined in yet another color.
At the end of the season as the leaves start to fade, reduce watering and allow the soil to dry out before the
first frost. Dig tubers after the foliage has died back and store in sand or peat, in a cool, dry, frost-free location.
