Caladiums are tropical plants prized for their stunning, colorful leaves. These heat lovers bring drama to gardens and containers with their artistic patterns and textures. But for many gardeners, a major question arises as autumn approaches – how do you successfully overwinter caladium bulbs?
With a little preparation and proper storage techniques, keeping caladium bulbs over the winter is totally doable even in colder climates. Follow this complete guide to enjoy these beauties year after year.
What are Caladiums?
First, let’s cover some caladium basics Caladiums are tender perennials in the Araceae family, native to South America. They grow from rounded, tuberous bulbs that sprout large, heart-shaped leaves in a dazzling array of colors and variegation
There are over 1000 named caladium cultivars with foliage spanning red, pink, white, green and many bicolors. Popular varieties include ‘Pink Cloud,’ ‘White Christmas,’ ‘Aaron,’ and ‘Miss Muffet.’ The leaves can grow 1-2 feet high depending on the variety.
While caladiums may produce small, calla lily-like flowers, they are really grown for their vibrant, artistic foliage. These tropical plants thrive in warm, humid environments.
Growing Zone Considerations
Can you leave caladium bulbs in the ground over winter? That depends entirely on your garden’s growing zone.
Caladiums are winter hardy only in zones 9-11. In these warm regions, they can be left in place as perennials. Just cut back the foliage and mulch the beds well after the first frost.
For cooler zones 3-8, caladiums must be dug up in fall and overwintered indoors as dormant bulbs. If left in the ground, freezing temperatures will kill the bulbs. Overwintering them indoors is the only way to enjoy them as annuals in chilly climates.
So unless you live in a subtropical zone, you’ll need to follow the overwintering steps below.
When to Dig Up Caladiums in Fall
Proper timing is key for successfully overwintering caladiums. Here are some signs it’s time to dig them up:
- Leaves start yellowing or fading in color
- Frosts or freezes have occurred
- Nighttime temperatures are dropping into the 50s°F
- Calendar says late September/October
This is generally 3-5 weeks after the foliage dies back from frost. Dig them too early and they may not go fully dormant. Wait too long and the soil can freeze, damaging bulbs.
Aim to dig up caladiums once they look faded but before your area experiences heavy, hard freezes. This timing, usually in October, allows natural dormancy before storage.
How to Dig and Store Bulbs
Follow these steps for properly lifting and storing caladium bulbs:
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Carefully dig bulbs using a garden fork, taking care not to damage them.
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Shake off loose soil but don’t wash bulbs. Keep some soil to retain moisture.
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Allow to air dry in a warm spot for 1-2 days which helps cure them for dormancy.
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Cut off above ground foliage and remove any decayed bulb sections if needed.
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Place bulbs in breathable mesh bags or paper bags. Or pack in slightly moist peat or vermiculite.
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Store in a cool 45-55°F location like a basement, cellar or garage.
The keys are gently digging bulbs before ground freezes and providing a dark place to keep them dormant. Avoid letting bulbs dry out or get too cold during storage.
Ideal Storage Conditions
To successfully store dormant caladium bulbs, aim for conditions similar to their tropical origins:
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Temperatures between 45-55°F. Don’t let drop below 40°F or freezing damage can occur.
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High humidity around 75-80% which prevents bulbs from drying out.
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Darkness is essential to keep bulbs dormant until spring planting time.
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Air circulation around bulbs prevents rotting or mold issues.
Basements, cellars and garages are great options for meeting these ideal storage conditions. Just monitor humidity and air flow.
Storing Bulbs in Pots
You can also overwinter caladium bulbs still planted in their containers:
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Move potted caladiums to a sheltered spot like an unheated garage once frost hits.
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Allow foliage to die back, then trim off dead leaves about 1-2” above soil.
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Before temps drop below 40°F, move pots to indoor storage area.
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Check soil moisture monthly and water lightly if pots feel dry.
The bulbs will go dormant until warmed and watered regularly in spring. Just avoid letting pots get waterlogged in winter.
Check Bulbs & Remove Damaged Ones
Check stored bulbs once a month for any signs of rot or damage:
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Discard any bulbs that are soft, mushy or show signs of mold or rotting.
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Shriveled, lightweight bulbs may be dried out. Increase humidity for remaining healthy bulbs.
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Bulbs kept too cold can show chilled, watersoaked decay. Move to warmer area.
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Damaged bulbs will spread disease if not removed. Monitor conditions and remove bad bulbs promptly.
Taking care of caladium bulbs properly while in storage will ensure you have plenty of healthy ones to plant next season. Just avoid stressors like extreme cold, darkness or dehydration.
When to Plant Caladium Bulbs Outdoors
Once spring arrives, caladium bulbs can be planted back outdoors once all danger of frost has passed. This is typically:
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After your area’s average last spring frost date
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When soil temps warm to above 60°F
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When nighttime lows stay above 50°F
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Early April in warmer southern zones; Late May in cooler northern zones
Plant the bulbs 2-3 inches deep and 12 inches apart in a sunny to partially shaded spot with rich, moist soil. Water after planting and start enjoying their colorful foliage once they emerge!
Troubleshooting Problems with Overwintered Bulbs
Sometimes stored caladium bulbs can encounter issues. Watch for these warning signs:
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Wrinkled, desiccated bulbs mean they dried out. Increase humidity next winter.
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Moldy, mushy bulbs show rotting from excess moisture. Improve air flow.
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Shriveled or weak sprouts often indicate bulbs got too cold. Move to warmer area.
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No sprouts coming up can be due to winter damage or rotting. Check bulbs.
Address any problems promptly to get plants healthy again. Discard damaged bulbs so they don’t spread problems. With proper corrective care, caladiums can still thrive after minor winter stresses.
Storing Caladium Bulbs to Success
While caladiums thrive in tropical zones, gardeners in cooler climates can still enjoy these spectacular plants as annuals. Just be sure to dig up bulbs before frost and provide proper cold storage conditions.
Follow these helpful tips for keeping caladium bulbs healthy from year to year:
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Lift bulbs carefully after foliage fades in late summer/early fall.
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Allow to cure for 1-2 weeks in a warm spot before storage.
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Keep in breathable bags/containers in cool, dark conditions between 45-55°F.
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Check monthly for any rotting or desiccated bulbs and remove.
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Replant the vigorous bulbs outdoors the following spring after frost danger passes.
Caladium Winter Care – Prepare Bulbs for Dormancy
How do you overwinter caladium bulbs?
The most common method of overwintering caladiums is digging the tubers out of the ground and storing them. Below I’ll give you details about lifting them, and instructions for how to store the bulbs for winter. Since they will not tolerate frost, you should dig up your caladiums before it gets too cold outside.
Can caladium bulbs be left in pots over winter?
Yes, you can leave caladiums in pots over winter. Allow the soil to dry out completely, remove all of the leaves after they die back, and store the pot in a cool, dark, and dry location until spring. Can you leave caladium bulbs in the ground over winter?
How do you take care of caladium bulbs in the fall?
Wait until your fall temperatures are consistently falling below 60°F, then dig up your caladium bulbs with their leaves still attached. Knock the bulk of the soil off of the bulbs, then set them in a dry, ventilated space for a week or so while they dry. Once the leaves shrivel up, cut them off about 1” above the top of the bulb.
Do caladium bulbs go dormant?
Overwintering Caladium Bulbs In The Ground If you’re lucky enough to live in a warm enough climate (zone 9+), you can just leave your caladiums right in the ground all winter. They will eventually go dormant, and all the foliage will die back. But, once the soil warms in the spring, they’ll come back better than ever.