Caladium plants are tuberous plants that provide elephant ear like leaves. The leaves themselves are beautifully colored and thus makes this plant a desired thriller in the background. Red, pink and white speckles, stripes, ombre etc.
A large majority of caladiums are grown in Florida where freezes generally don’t penetrate the soil at the depth of the tuber. Because once frozen, the caladium tuber turns to mush. In the Upstate, we enjoy caladiums as annuals. Tubers can be removed from the ground and overwintered if you care to work that hard. Check out internet advice on how to do this.
Meanwhile, at Martin Garden Center, we start seeing caladiums arrive in late April. This year, 2023, we will have a caladium shortage because of numerous hurricanes, particularly Ian, that affected Florida in 2022. So heed this advice … if you want caladiums, stock up early in 2023. Hopefully, 2024 will be a better year.
