Red Ruffles Caladium

Red Ruffles Caladium Care

Caladium bicolor 'Florida Red Ruffles'

What is the plant

Red Ruffles Caladium is a perennial plant that stands out for its spectacular appearance. The leaves of the plant can impress with their color and dilute the plain landscape. This plant is famous for its special endurance, making its cultivation easy and pleasant.

Caladium is a genus of tropical plants in the Aroid family. The Caladium of this species can reach 11-18 inches (30-45 cm) in height. Bush width is 10-14 inches (25-35cm). The leaves are smooth, spear-shaped, and have a special color. Each of them is red, with a dark green border around the edge.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

16°C - 19°C

Hardiness zone

9 - 10

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Red Ruffles Caladium is a tropical plant that needs high air and soil humidity. It needs regular but moderate watering. Humidity should reach at least 70 percent, so you need to spray the plant frequently. You should not sprinkle water on the leaves but spray moisture over the bush, creating an artificial fog.
Pruning
This plant does not need special pruning. However, you can remove dead leaves in winter.
Fertilizer
In summer, the plant needs fertilizing every 2 weeks. For best growth, apply half concentrations of mineral fertilizers. Autumn and winter are Caladium's dormant periods, so it does not need to be fed at this time.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Red Ruffles Caladium is undemanding to light. It can grow both in the shade and in the sun. However, the plant may shrink and drop the leaves with an acute lack of light.
Soil
This species, like all plants of the genus Caladium, loves drained, loose, and nutrient soil. The best soil for growing Caladium is a mixture of peat, turfy soil, humus, and sand in equal proportions. A leafy mulch or sphagnum will help loosen up the soil. It will make the soil more hygroscopic.
Propagation
Red Ruffles Caladium propagates by daughter tubers in early spring. In March, you can cut them into as many pieces as sprouts the tuber has. You need to process the cuts with crushed charcoal, dry for 2-3 days, and then plant each in a separate pot, putting a drainage layer on the bottom. It is also possible to grow the plant from seeds.

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Temperature
The optimum temperature for tuber germination is above 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18°C). The best air temperature for an adult plant is 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit (20-25 Celsius). However, this species is quite resistant to low temperatures.
Container
The pot size should be twice the size of the tuber. Gardeners plant the Caladium in late spring. You also can grow Caladium in a terrarium - such plants in the interior are especially attractive. You should repot the bush as soon as roots appear in the drainage hole.
Fun fact
Red Ruffles Caladium has gained popularity as an ornamental plant, but its tubers are edible.