Can you keep a caladium plant alive year round?
Question:On the instructions it says it is an annual that will die and come back in the next summer but people tell me they have kept them alive in the house year round. Is this true?
Picture a one below:
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/plants/a...
Answers:
Honestly, depending on where you are located, you don't have to be too concerned about your caladiums. They re-appear in the spring. The leaves just die down in the winter but the bulb is still there. Best just leave them alone. My elephant ears are huge right now but in January, you could not even tell I ever had an elephant ear plant.
Best advise I can give you. Not to worry. They are perennials. Annual plants I don't even buy because there is almost certain death. You can bring them in the house but they will not do as well and may develop rot.
Extra tip: Some plants that say annual on them can return with enough mulch on the ground in the winter for protection. All of my Mexican Heather returned this year and they were listed as annual. I live in Zone 7 which does snow and freeze.
Yes. You can keep them alive inside.
And just for clarification, annuals will not come back next year. Those are perennials.
They're pretty aren't they?
Yes, they grow inside just fine. Select a location that is shady, or does not receive direct sunlight. Caladium likes rich soil. The soil needs to be kept moist, but well draining. Use a liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks. During the growing period, remove any dead or damaged leaves.
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