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Caladium 'Florida Cardinal' (v)

elephant ear 'Florida Cardinal'

A tropical, tuberous perennial grown mainly as a foliage houseplant but can also be used for bedding. It has heart-shaped red leaves with wide green margins, held on slender, upright stalks

Synonyms
Caladium 'Cardinal'

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Green
Summer Red Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B
Botanical details
Family
Araceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Caladium are tuberous flowering plants, often grown as houseplants and known for their large, arrowhead shaped leaves. They are commonly known as 'elephant ears'

Name status

Accepted

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How to grow

Cultivation

Start the tubers off in pots of houseplant compost in early spring. Plant the tubers so that their growing tip is about 5cm below the soil level. Water sparingly initially and keep the pots warm (about 20°C) to help them come out of their winter dormancy. Protect from direct sun, which can burn the foliage. In autumn the foliage will begin to die back; suspend watering and remove withered top growth. Either lift and store the tubers or keep them in their pots over winter. Start them back into growth the following spring

Propagation

Propagate by division of tubers

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Houseplants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Bedding
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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