Light: A Caladium requires very bright indirect light.

Water: The soil of a Caladium should be kept moist but never soggy while the plant is actively growing. As the leaves of the Caladium start to die back in the early fall, gradually reduce your watering until the soil has thoroughly dried out. Move the Caladium to a dry, dark, cool location, and water lightly once every six weeks. A Caladium needs to "rest" for about 5 months each year before it can start to grow again.

Humidity: A Caladium needs a great deal of humidity to grow well and look its best. This is probably the hardest requirement to accommodate. You can increase the humidity around the plant in various ways; keep the Caladium on a bed of wet gravel or pebbles at all times, place a small humidifier near it, or group several plants near each other to create a mini greenhouse effect.

Temperature: Ideal temperatures for a Caladium would be between 70-85 degrees. A Caladium likes a consistent temperature with as little fluctuation as possible. While dormant, the temperature around a Caladium should be cooler but never below 55 degrees.

Fertilizer: Fertilize a Caladium every two weeks while it is actively growing with a water-soluble plant food high in nitrogen. Always dilute the fertilizer 50%.

Soil: A Caladium grows best in a slightly acidic fast draining soil. Once a month you can even water your Caladium with left over tea or some very dilute vinegar.

Pests: The colorful leaves of Caladium attract mealy bugs, aphids, and spider mites. Gently wash any pests off the leaves of your plant with warm soapy water.

Special Instructions: Since a Caladium is a tuberous root plant, the leaves will start to droop and die in the fall and no new ones will begin to grow until the plant has rested. As the plant begins to go dormant, cut off the dead leaves and allow the soil to dry out. Store the Caladium in a dark area at around 60 degrees until the spring (at least 5 months). Water lightly once a month while the plant is "resting". In the spring, repot the tubers into fresh soil, move the Caladium back to a bright location, and resume your usual watering and fertilizing schedule.

Propagation: Caladiums should be propagated in the spring, after the plant has had a 5-month "rest". Plant division is the best way of propagating a Caladium.