Colocasia and Caladium FAQ's
Frequently asked questions for Colocasia and Caladium bulbs
How do you plant a colocasia?
Plant the Colocasia bulb shallowly into a pot with multipurpose compost between February and May. The top of the bulb (side with rings or papery layers) should be level with the soil surface after planting. Position the potted bulb in a warm, bright
How do you plant a Caladium bulbs?
Plant each Caladium bulb shallowly into pots with multipurpose compost between February and May. The smooth side should be facing downwards and the side with growing points should be facing upwards, only covered by around 1cm of compost. Position in
How long does it take for Caladiums and Colocasia to start growing
The amount of time that Colocasia and Caladium take to start growing depends on temperatures and also what stage in the season they are planted. Those planted in early spring may remain dormant for a little longer than those planted in late spring. O
Where is the best place to plant Caladium or Colocasia bulbs?
Colocasia and Caladium are tropical plants and require warm temperatures to sprout. Caladium and Colocasia bulbs should be planted into pots and started in a warm, bright indoor space. You can continue to grow them indoors through the season, or move
How do you care for Colocasia in the UK?
Colocasia are easy to grow in the UK but must be protected from freezing or cold, wet conditions. You should pot up your Colocasia bulb in spring and grow it indoors until it sprouts. Then, either keep it as a houseplant or position it outside for th
How do you take care of Caladiums in the UK?
Caladiums can grow well in the UK but they do not like cold conditions, therefore it is necessary to ensure they are grown in temperatures which are fairly consistently around 18-20C or above. You should start your Caladium bulb in a pot in spring an
Should I cut off dying Colocasia or Caladium leaves?
Colocasia and Caladium will naturally die back for a dormant period. When this begins, the foliage will begin to die back. We recommend removing the foliage once it has completely died back using a sharp scissor or secateurs.
What is the difference between Colocasia and Alocasia?
If the leaves point upwards, the plant is usually an Alocasia and if the leaves point downwards, it's usually a Colocasia. Alocasia can also remain in leaf through winter if kept indoors.
Do Caladiums do better indoors or outdoors?
In cool climates, it is necessary to start Caladiums indoors. They do very well as houseplants, but once they’re in growth and temperatures are consistently around 20C or above in summer, they do just as well outdoors. The leaves will last longer if
Can I plant Caladiums/Colocasia straight into the ground?
In cool climates, neither Caladium or Colocasia bulbs will survive if planted directly into the ground. They should be potted first of all and grown in indoor conditions in temperatures of around 20C. They can be planted outside into borders once the
Why is my Caladium bulb not sprouting?
Caladium should be grown in moist but not wet compost, at a temperature around 18-20 degrees. This encourages the bulbs out of dormancy and as they progress - which can take up to 12 weeks - you will see pointed shoots developing from the soil surfac
My Colocasia hasn’t sprouted, is it dead?
Your Colocasia may still be dormant. You should check for signs of deterioration around the bulb. If you find that the bulb is still firm, it is likely the growing conditions are not conducive to growth. Double check that you are growing at the corre
How do you overwinter Colocasia?
The most reliable way to keep a Colocasia over winter is for the bulb to remain potted in dry compost and kept in a room which is between 15-20C. If your Colocasia has been growing outside in the ground it should be transferred into a pot in autumn a
What should I do with my Caladium over winter?
Caladiums can be tricky to overwinter and success isn’t guaranteed, but the most reliable method is to leave it potted or transfer to a small pot during autumn and allow the soil to become dry. Keep indoors in a cool room (between 10-18C). The leaves
How often should you water Caladiums
Caladium bulbs don’t need much water while they are dormant, it is best to allow the compost to almost completely dry out before watering again. Once they are in full growth, they will use water and will need watering more frequently. During the grow
Why does my Colocasia ‘Black Magic’ have green leaves?
Colocasia ‘Black Magic’ reacts to sunlight and will develop black leaves in higher light levels. It is common for the plant to produce green leaves when grown indoors and if that happens you should position it closer to a window which receives higher
Do I need to soak colocasia or caladium bulbs before planting?
There’s no need to soak Caladium or Colocasia bulbs prior to planting. They should be given a little water straight after planting and not watered again until the compost feels mostly dry.
Can I plant Caladiums and Colocasia outside?
Caladiums and Colocasia are both tropical plants and require temperatures of at least 15C to thrive. Ideally they should be started in spring in daytime temperatures of 20-30C, which in most areas means they should be started indoors. During summer w
How often should you water Colocasia?
Colocasia bulbs do not use water while they are dormant and should only be watered lightly when the compost feels almost completely dry. Once the bulb starts to grow roots, it will need watering more frequently. During the growing season, you should
Can I plant Caladiums/ Colocasia into pots
Caladiums and Colocasia will grow well in pots, and can make a great focal point! This also allows for easy relocation if you find that they are unhappy in any particular spot. Take care to water frequently but do not allow them to sit wet, and ensu
What is the best position for Caladium/Colocasia in the garden?
Caladium and Colocasia prefer to be planted in dappled shade in a moist but well drained position.
What size pot should I use for Colocasia?
It will need a pot which is 30-40cm in diameter for the first 1-2 years. To begin with, you can start your Colocasia bulb in a small pot (between 15-20cm in diameter) to save indoor growing space - it may remain dormant for a few months before it sta
Which way up should I plant my Caladium bulb?
Caladium bulbs are irregular in shape but usually have a smooth side and a side with points. The smooth side should be facing downwards and the more uneven side (the side with growing points) should be facing upwards. If you are unsure, plant the bul
How to tell which way up to plant a Colocasia bulb?
Some Colocasia varieties grow from bulbs which look like baseballs, others may have a pointed side and papery layers a bit like a daffodil. For baseball-type Colocasia, the top side has rings and the underside may have some small holes or dimpling. T
Why are some Colocasia bulbs smaller than others?
While some of the more common Colocasia varieties are supplied as large, round bulbs, some Colocasia varieties naturally grow from small bulbs. New varieties are also often supplied as smaller bulbs because they haven’t yet had the years it takes to