With their brightly colored, uniquely shaped leaves Heart to Heart caladiums are some of the most stunning foliage plants you can grow. While these beauties are a summertime staple in gardens and containers did you know they also make fantastic houseplants?
By providing the right indoor growing conditions, you can enjoy the vibrant pinks, reds, greens, and whites of Heart to Heart caladiums all year long. Read on to learn tips for successfully growing these tropical gems as houseplants.
Choosing the Best Heart to Heart Varieties for Indoors
There are almost 30 different types of Heart to Heart caladiums, so how do you choose the best ones to grow inside? Here are some of our top picks that do well as houseplants:
- Heart to Heart ‘White Wonder’ – Dramatic white leaves with dark green veins.
- Heart to Heart ‘Radiance’ – Deep pink center with green outer margins.
- Heart to Heart ‘Aaron’ – Brilliant red leaves with dark edges.
- Heart to Heart ‘Peppermint’ – Candy pink speckled foliage.
- Heart to Heart ‘Tropicana’ – Vibrant multicolored leaves.
Choose plants with colorful, variegated leaves instead of ones that are grown mostly for their flowers. Ultra-tall types don’t tend to adapt as well as compact mounding types.
Providing the Right Growing Conditions
Since caladiums are native to tropical areas, it’s important to create warm, humid conditions inside to grow them.
Light
- Bright, indirect light is ideal. East or west-facing windows work perfectly.
- Allow a couple hours of direct morning/evening sun. Avoid hot midday rays.
- Rotate pots weekly so all sides get even light exposure.
Temperature
- Daytime temps of 65-80°F are optimal. Nighttime lows around 60°F.
- Keep away from AC vents and cold drafts. High heat also damages leaves.
Humidity
- Caladiums thrive in 50%+ humidity. Mist leaves daily or use a humidifier.
- Place pots on pebble trays filled with water to increase moisture around plants.
Water
- Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch dries out.
- Use room temperature water. Cold water shocks tender tropical roots.
- Allow excess water to fully drain from pot bottoms after watering.
Soil
- Use a well-draining potting mix made for tropicals and houseplants.
- Add perlite, orchid bark or charcoal to improve drainage.
- Fertilize monthly with diluted balanced liquid plant food.
Repotting Your Indoor Caladiums
When grown outdoors, caladium tubers are usually planted directly in the ground. But indoor caladiums do best repotted into containers. Follow this process:
- Select a pot 1-2 inches wider than the current container.
- Use pots with drainage holes. Add pebbles or stones for drainage.
- Carefully remove the tuber with roots from its old pot.
- Loosen any encircling roots before placing in the new container.
- Fill the bottom third with fresh potting mix. Set the tuber on top then add more mix.
- Bury tuber 2 inches deep with the tip just below the surface.
- Water thoroughly until it drains from the drainage holes. Allow to fully drain.
Caring for Caladiums After Bloom Period
Once they finish flowering in late summer/fall, here’s how to keep indoor caladiums thriving:
- Cut off dead or damaged leaves and spent flowers using clean, sharp scissors.
- Move to a slightly cooler 65°F spot to trigger dormancy.
- Gradually reduce watering over 4-6 weeks until leaves completely die back.
- Let dormant tubers rest dry for 2-3 months in a cool, dark place.
- In late winter, move to 70°F and resume watering to revive plants.
- Repot in fresh soil if needed. New leaves will soon emerge.
Enjoying Gorgeous Heart to Heart Caladiums Year After Year
If you take extra care of your Heart to Heart caladium plants, you can enjoy their bright leaves all year long, not just in the summer.
Their lush tropical look and colors are perfect for brightening any indoor space needing a visual lift, especially during dreary winter months. Surround yourself with their beauty by making Heart to Heart caladiums part of your indoor plant collection!
Key Tips for Growing Heart to Heart Caladiums Indoors
Choosing the right varieties – Select compact, colorfully variegated types like ‘Radiance’, ‘Peppermint’ or ‘White Wonder’.
Ideal light – Bright, indirect light from an east or west window. Some morning/evening sun okay.
Best temperatures – Daytime 65-80°F, night around 60°F. Avoid heat/AC vents.
Provide humidity – Mist leaves, use a pebble tray, or run a humidifier. Caladiums love 50%+ humidity.
Water thoroughly – Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Let dry between waterings.
Well-draining soil – Use a quality potting mix. Add perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage.
Fertilize lightly – Apply diluted liquid plant food every 4 weeks during the growing season.
Transition to dormancy – As leaves fade in fall, gradually reduce watering and move to a cooler 65°F spot.
Revive in late winter – In Feb/March, resume watering and move to a warm, bright location to restart growth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Heart to Heart Caladiums Indoors
What are the best Heart to Heart caladium varieties for growing as houseplants?
Some top choices include ‘Radiance’, ‘White Wonder’, ‘Aaron’, ‘Peppermint’, and ‘Tropicana’. Opt for compact types with colorful variegated leaves.
What light do indoor caladiums need?
Bright, indirect sunlight is ideal. A couple hours of morning or evening direct sun is fine. Avoid hot midday light that can burn leaves.
What temperature is best for indoor caladiums?
Daytime temps of 65-80°F and around 60°F at night are optimal. Keep away from hot/cold drafts.
How can I increase humidity for my indoor caladiums?
Mist the leaves daily, use a pebble tray, or run a humidifier to keep humidity above 50%. Caladiums love moist air.
How often should I water my potted caladiums?
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch of soil dries out. Allow pots to drain fully after watering.
When should I move indoor caladiums to dormancy?
As leaves fade in fall, reduce watering over 4-6 weeks. Move pots to a cooler 65°F spot with less light to trigger dormancy.
How do I revive caladiums after dormancy?
In late winter, resume watering and move to a warm, bright location. New leaves will emerge in a few weeks!
Conclusion
Heart to Heart caladiums are easy to grow as houseplants with their lush tropical foliage brightening up any indoor space. Provide warm temperatures, high humidity, and bright indirect light. Water thoroughly but allow soil to dry between waterings. Move to a cool spot in fall to trigger dormancy before enjoying their renewed growth again next season. With a little TLC, you can enjoy these colorful beauties indoors all year long.
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Heart to Heart Radiance Caladium Care
Caladium is adaptable to different light conditions, but would like some shade in areas where the sun can get intense. Your particular growing region will dictate the planting time and sun needs for your Caladium. Planting can be done anywhere between spring and early summer, depending on your last frost date and spring temperatures. Soil temperatures must be above 50°F. For example, caladiums grown in hot, sunny places like the Southwest and Midwest will need more shade than those grown in the Northeast and Northwest. Caladiums require a small amount of balanced fertilizing every month, as well as well-draining soil and consistent moisture.
Caladiums are well known as indoor plants, and can be brought indoors after spending the summer outside. Check your plant to be sure it is healthy and pest-free before bringing indoors. They thrive in a warm, sunny location like a windowsill. Because they are tropical plants, they require warmth and humidity. Try misting your plant frequently or keeping it on a pebble plant to provide humidity, especially in the winter when indoor air is dry.
Heart to Heart Radiance Caladium Spacing
One healthy Caladium per container is usually perfect for adding the color and texture you need. However, if you have a large container or planter box, you can plant several Caladiums to get a big impact. Try planting them about 4” apart in your large planters to give them space to grow, but enjoy a lush display of their big, variegated leaves. You can plant caladium in garden beds in groups, but make sure the soil is at least 50 to 65°F before you do so. If planting Caladium into a garden bed, allow for 6-8” space between each tuber.
BEST TIPS: HOW TO CARE FOR PURPLE HEART PLANT | TRADESCANTIA PALLIDA
FAQ
How long do caladiums last indoors?
Caladiums in pots can be brought inside in the early fall and kept growing as a houseplant for about a month, until they naturally go into a resting phase.
Can caladiums be grown as a houseplant?
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Light:Caladiums need bright, indirect light. A location near a window that receives filtered sunlight or a location with bright, indirect light from a grow light is ideal.
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Temperature:Caladiums prefer temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C) and should be protected from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
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Humidity:Caladiums thrive in humid environments. Consider misting the leaves regularly, using a humidifier, or placing the plant on a pebble tray to increase humidity.
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Watering:Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Overwatering can lead to tuber rot, so ensure good drainage.
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Fertilizing:Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the spring and summer.
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Dormancy:Caladiums will naturally go dormant in the fall after producing new leaves. Reduce or stop watering when leaves start to die back.
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Storage:During dormancy, the tubers can be left in the soil or removed and stored in a cool, dry place until the spring when they can be replanted.
Is heart to heart a perennial or annual?
Heart to Heart™ ‘Blushing Bride’ Caladium is a great thriller for combination planters, or mix in your annual and perennial beds for a colorful leafy addition. Once your warm weather season is over (in the North), Caladium Heart to Heart™ ‘Blushing Bride’ can be brought indoors to be enjoyed as a tropical houseplant.
Do caladiums like sun or shade?
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Traditional Caladiums:Prefer shade or filtered sunlight, typically doing well in areas with 2-4 hours of morning sun or dappled light.
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Newer Sun-Tolerant Varieties:Some cultivars have been developed to tolerate more sun, with some even able to handle full sun for a few hours daily.
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Ideal Conditions:Caladiums thrive in well-drained soil and locations that offer protection from the hottest part of the day.
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When to Plant:In colder climates, it’s best to wait until the soil is warm (65°F or higher) and nights are consistently warm.
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Maintenance:Caladiums are generally low-maintenance, but they do require moist soil and may need fertilization during the growing season.