by Merilyn Cranford, Somervell County Master Gardener
What can I do with my caladiums during the winter in order to use them again next spring?
This question has crossed the minds of many gardeners and solutions vary. For example, one suggestion is to leave them in the garden into fall so that the leaves can continue working and the tuber can continue to grow larger. However, once frost is in the forecast, don’t stand on ceremony-just dig them up.
Another suggestion is to put the tuber into storage after removing from the ground or pot up the whole plant and place it in a brightly lighted windowsill. By late January, the caladium is going to look tired and will need to rest before the tuber is repotted in the spring or planted in the garden after the soil has warmed up. Chop off the foliage, knock off the soil and let the tuber dry at room temperature. Any condensation will encourage bacterial rot, therefore, store the tuber in dry vermiculite or in a mesh bag (like an onion bag) in a dry place. Ideally, storage is best at 70 to 75 degrees—but never below 50 degrees, making sure there is good air circulation.
Caladium is an extraordinary foliage plant. Its leaves can be white with narrow green borders or combinations of white, green and rosy pinks, in pale to outrageous patterns that approach a third graders first attempt at stained glass. Most caladiums are hybrids of Caladium bicolor or Caladium picturatum, native to the tropics of the Americas and the West Indies. Plants can be costly, but tubers are inexpensive, so you can just say goodbye at frost time if you like.