Caladium lindenii, also known as Angel’s Wings or Elephant Ear Caladium, is a stunning tropical plant known for its large, arrowhead-shaped leaves with prominent white veins This plant is native to Colombia and is a member of the Araceae family With proper care, Caladium lindenii can be an excellent addition to any indoor plant collection. This comprehensive guide will provide tips on water, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizer, and pest control to keep your Caladium lindenii thriving.
Providing the Right Growing Conditions
Light
Caladium lindenii does best in bright, indirect light. Put it near an east or west-facing window so it gets soft sunlight through a sheer curtain for four to six hours a day. Direct sun from the south can burn the leaves, so stay out of the hot afternoon sun. When there isn’t enough light, plants will lose their bright colors on the leaves and grow taller as they try to reach the light. Add LED grow lights 12 to 18 inches above the plant as a supplement. Caladium grows toward light sources, so turn it every so often to make sure it grows evenly.
Temperature
Ideal temperatures for Caladium lindenii are between 70°F to 80°F. Growth will slow if temperatures dip below 65°F over winter. If your house gets too cold, use a portable space heater or grow tent to keep the right temperature. On the other hand, temperatures that stay above 80°F for a long time can also slow growth. Avoid placing this plant in hot, sunny windows.
Humidity
Caladium lindenii does best when the humidity level is 80% or higher. To increase the humidity, use a humidifier, put the plant on a pebble tray filled with water, or mist the leaves every day. Just be careful not to wet the leaves when watering at soil level, as this can cause fungal diseases. Grouping plants together also creates a humid microclimate.
Water
To keep Caladium lindenii looking its best, make sure it gets enough water. To find out how wet the soil is, stick your finger in the top one to two inches and water it if it feels dry. Water thoroughly until excess drains from the bottom. If you let the soil dry out all the way, the leaves may droop. On the other hand, soggy soil leads to root rot. Tap water that has chlorine in it could hurt the plant, so use filtered or distilled water at room temperature.
Soil
Use a well-draining indoor potting mix amended with perlite, orchid bark, or coco coir to provide aeration and moisture retention. Caladium does not tolerate dry soil well. Consider mixing in some peat moss or compost to increase water holding capacity in the soil. Re-pot every 2 years in spring, moving the plant to a pot one size larger.
Caring for Your Caladium
- Fertilize Caladium lindenii weekly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Discontinue fertilizing over winter and dormancy.
- Prune off old or damaged leaves at the stem using sterilized scissors. Never cut the main stems or tubers.
- Watch for pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites which can infest the leaves. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays. Isolate affected plants.
- Brown leaf edges indicate low humidity. Increase moisture levels around the plant.
- Yellow leaves may mean too much water or insufficient fertilizer. Allow soil to partly dry before watering again and feed more regularly.
- Leggy growth with sparse leaves often stems from insufficient light. Move plant to a brighter location.
- Repot rootbound Caladiums in early spring, dividing the tubers using a sterile knife. Discard old mix and refresh the soil.
Caring For Dormant Caladiums
As fall approaches, Caladium lindenii will start going dormant. Gradually taper off watering as the leaves yellow and die back. Once all foliage is gone, discard dead leaves but leave tubers in pots. Store dormant plants in a cool 60°F spot and water just enough to prevent bulbs from shriveling.
In spring, repot bulbs in fresh soil and water to stimulate new growth. It may take a few weeks for plants to wake up from dormancy before you see sprouts. Once new leaves emerge, resume normal care. Site the revitalized plant in a bright location and fertilize every 2-4 weeks as growth takes off.
With its stunning variegated leaves, Caladium lindenii provides unique visual interest as a houseplant. Pay close attention to its preferences for warm, humid conditions and bright filtered light. Avoid overwatering during dormancy and repot tubers each spring. With the proper care, this tropical plant will thrive indoors for years!
Pruning Caladium
These plants don’t need much pruning, but during the growing season, you might want to use clean scissors or pruners to cut off any leaves or stems that are dead, damaged, or infected.
Types of Caladium
There are many cultivars—caladium comes in green, red, pink, white, and even orange. In many cases, cultivars are sold without names. Almost all cultivars are descended from C. bicolor, native to South America. Some books list these plants as C. hortulanum. Choose your variety based on its appearance. They will make a showy border or a single plant.
A few noteworthy cultivars include:
- Caladium Creamsicle: This variety can be a vigorous grower. It has big, green leaves that are dotted with bright red and white veins.
- One type of caladium is called White Christmas. It has big, arrow-shaped green leaves that are heavily “dusted” with bright white.
- Calacium Miss Muffet: This dwarf variety grows to be only 8 inches tall and has lime-green leaves with bright pink spots on them.
- Caladium Puppy Love: This new plant has pink leaves with green edges and can grow in full sun in some areas.
Xanthosoma Lindenii Care Guide
FAQ
Is Caladium lindenii an indoor plant?
One of the more visually striking houseplants you can grow, xanthosoma (Caladium lindenii) is a rare tropical plant from Colombia. It features large, arrow-shaped green leaves dramatically highlighted with eye-catching creamy-white veins. It’s sure to stand out from your other indoor plants, even variegated varieties.
Does Caladium lindenii go dormant?
Caladium grow from tubers, a root structure similar to bulbs, which means they require a period of dormancy. Some people grow Caladiums similar to cut flowers and toss them when they begin to go dormant, but we think with the right knowledge taking care of these unique plants is easy!.
Why is my Caladium lindenii drooping?
Overwatering and underwatering both lead to droopy leaves; check soil moisture. Bright, indirect sunlight and temperatures between 15-23ºC keep leaves perky. Proper drainage and root health are essential; use well-draining soil and check roots.
How do you take care of potted caladiums?
CaladiumLIGHT. Water your caladium when the top 25% of soil is dry. Your caladium prefers a humid environment. Your caladium prefers temperatures between 65-80°F. For best results, use a liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength once a month during the spring and summer.