Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Caladium bicolor or Heart of Jesus

The genus Caladium, family Araceae, includes 7 species that are native to South America and Central America. Some species are: Caladium bicolor, Caladium lindenii, Caladium schomburgkii, Caladium picturatum.

Common names: Heart of Jesus, Angel wings, Elephant ear. There are hundreds of cultivars of this species.

They are perennial herbaceous plants with tubers. They have beautiful arrow-shaped leaves of various shades: white, pink, red and green. They produce scented inflorescences in the shape of a spadix (similar to Zantedeschia).

Heart of Jesus is not easy plant since it needs a very high humidity; it's ideal for greenhouse cultivation. In tropical regions they are used to form borders or in pots for patios and terraces.

Caladium bicolor needs abundant light but never direct sun.

Water frequently and maintain high humidity. Do not spray the leaves with water. Starting in autumn, reduce watering until the leaves wither.

The soil can be a mixture of 2/3 heather soil, 1/3 peat, and a little coarse sand.

The bulb can be left in the pot or it can be removed in winter. Keep the bulb in humus until the leaves begin to sprout; then they can be planted in the pot.

Fertilize in spring and summer every 15 days with mineral fertilizer.

Angel wings can be attacked by mealybugs if humidity is low.

Elephant ear propagates by separating secondary tubers. Do not separate them until they are developed.

Images of the indoor plant Caladium bicolor or Heart of Jesus