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Caladium is a genus of plants in the family Araceae, containing seven species. It is indigenous to tropical south America, especially Brazil and the Amazon region, and Central America. It is commonly known as elephant ear, Heart of Jesus, and Angel Wings. Caladiums typically grown as tender bulbs or as houseplants.
Several species of Caladium are grown as ornamental plants for their large, arrowhead-shaped leaves marked in varying patterns in white, pink, and red. Fancy-leaved and lance-leaved are the most widely cultivated forms. Fancy-leaved has leaves that are more heart-shaped, and is the more commonly seen and traditional caladium of cultivation. Lance-leaved has more lance-head-shaped leaves. Caladium grows in open areas of the forest and on the banks of creeks. It goes dormant during the dry season. Caladium has the characteristic inflorescencepf all Araceae; a fairly inconspicuous spathe and spadix on a flower stalk. The leaves die off in autumn.
Most cultivated Caladiums grow to about 60 cm tall and wide, although dwarf varieties are available. Caladium grows from corms, and can be propagated by dividing the tubers. During growing season, Caladium needs lots of water and should not be allowed to dry out. Caladium grows well in partial or full shade. Lake Placid, Florida, in the United States, produces approximately 98% of all Caladium bulbs.
In temperate areas, Caladium should be lifted before the first frost. The corms are dried and stored for the winter when the temperatures fall. All parts of Caladium are poisonous and should not be ingested. They may irritate sensitive skins.
