Caladium bicolor: Perfect houseplant for any home

Caladium bicolor, sometimes known as Heart of Jesus, is a species of the Latin American genus Caladium. Large, lance- or heart-shaped leaves with eye-catching green, white, pink, and red blotching are what make it popular as a houseplant. There are many varieties available. Tropical perennials called caladiums are found in South and Central American tropical woods with distinct wet and dry seasons. They feature heart-shaped, colourful leaves. 

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Facts about Caladium bicolor

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Is Caladium bicolor an indoor plant?

Caladium bicolor is a low maintenance plant and can easily be grown as an indoor plant or a house plant. All they need is indirect light, water and humidity and they will perfectly add colour to your house.

Caladiums as houseplants

• You may pick from more than a thousand caladium varieties, so get one with the colour and pattern you like that is best suited to your environment. 
• Caladiums rarely have blooms, but their vividly coloured leaves give your yard, patio, or house liveliness. In addition to green, white, red, and pink, cultivars have various leaf patterns. For instance, you can choose Aaron, which has white leaves with a green border, or White Queen, which has white leaves with crimson veins, if you require a caladium with sun tolerance. 
• Consider the colour scheme of “Florida Elise,” which features pink brushstrokes to emphasise the green foliage.
• If the plant’s size is an issue, take into account the dwarf variety “Miss Muffett,” which has green leaves with red spots and white veins. Consider the varieties ‘Pink Gem’ or ‘Red Frill,’ which have pink or red leaves, respectively, if you wish to plant caladiums in a hanging basket.

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Caladium bicolor growing tips

• The caladium, often known as the Heart of Jesus plant, is simple to grow and maintain. Clemson University Cooperative Extension suggests planting tubers when the soil reaches 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• The shade-loving caladium may also be grown inside a container with good drainage.
• The plants prefer rich, acidic soil. 
• To keep the soil around the caladium wet, water it often. However, if the soil is poorly drained or you overwater the tubers, they might rot. 
• Treat container plants every other week with an all-purpose liquid fertiliser, like an 8-7-6 fertiliser, for optimum leaf development. You can also grow bamboo palms as a house plant in your garden. Learn more about it. 

How do you care for Caladium bicolor?

• You can maintain Caladium bicolor by cutting larger tubers to smaller pieces with eyes buds in each piece to get more leaves.
• Ensure that Caladium bicolor gets enough light that will help in its growth.
• While Caladium bicolor needs water, do not over water them as that will result in root rot.
• It’s advised to spray the Caladium bicolorleaves so that the moisture in them is maintained.

Do caladiums like sun or shade?

Caladium bicolor needs lot of light for its growth and so place it accordingly even when kept indoors. While sun helps in growth of the caladium bicolor, the plants coloring is best when kept in shade, but given ample light.

Caladium bicolor varieties

There are more than 1000 varities of Caladium bicolor that are available. Mentioned below are some of the popular ones.

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Is Caladium bicolor poisonous?

Yes, Caladium bicolor is poisonous and toxic in nature. The Caladium bicolor’s sap leads to burning sensation and itching. Care should be taken to ensure that no part of the plant is chewed or swallowed by pets or small children. If done, it will result in  burning sensation, salivation in excess, swollen mouth, lips, tongue and stomach infection.

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