Plant Know-How: Caladium lindenii
If you're familiar with other Caladium, you may be surprised to learn that this striking plant, Caladium lindenii, is in the same genus. Formerly known as Xanthosoma lindenii or Phyllotaenium lindenii, the current WFO accepted name for this species is indeed, Caladium lindenii- despite some ways in which it appears different from other Caladiums.
Caladiums can be tricky to keep as an indoor plant (especially if you live in an already dry climate), but their stunning leaves make them well worth the effort of the extra work it takes to keep them happy. Read on for our tips on growing a healthy Caladium lindenii.
HOW TO CARE FOR CALADIUM LINDENII:
Light requirements for Caladium lindenii: Caladium do best with bright, indirect light (aka filtered light) to maintain their bright colors. They may be grown in medium indirect light but growth will be leggier with stems stretched out to the point they may not be able to support the leaves, and color won't be as vibrant.
Watering tips for Caladium lindenii: Water your Caladium when soil is dry in the top 1/3 of the pot. With their long stems and large leaves Caladiums will look noticeably droopy when they're starting to go dry. Caladium also require added humidity to keep their luxurious leaves looking as good as possible. Place them near a humidifier or in a bright, humid room like a bathroom to maintain high humidity. If you need some help knowing how wet or dry your soil is, a moisture meter is a helpful tool that can take out some of the guesswork!
The Best Soil for Caladium lindenii: Because Caladium don't want to dry out too much, or too quickly, a potting mix that retains some moisture, while still allowing oxygen to reach the roots is best. Our Thirsty Tropicals Potting Mix is a perfect choice for any Caladium.
Is Caladium lindenii pet-safe? Like other plants in the Araceae family (aka Aroids), Caladium are toxic to pets if ingested. If you're looking for pet-safe plants, be sure to check out the Pet Safe category of the Plant Care Compendium!
How to style Caladium lindenii: Because of their striking leaves, we think Caladium look best in simple pots that allow the plant to be the 'star'. Choose a pot color provides contrast to the leaf color, or draws a color out from the leaf.
Did you know? Caladium grow from tubers, a root structure similar to bulbs, which means they require a period of dormancy. Some people grow Caladiums similar to cut flowers and toss them when they begin to go dormant, but we think with the right knowledge taking care of these unique plants is easy! Plus, the cycle of dormancy only makes those spectacular leaves even more special. When your plant begins to go dormant you'll notice the leaves beginning to die off. Once there is no foliage left, simply move your plant somewhere cool and dry (no light required). After a period of time you'll notice new shoots beginning to sprout from the soil. At that point, just move your plant back into the light, begin to water again, and in no time you'll have a full pot of beautiful Caladium leaves!
Looking to take on the challenge of Caladium lindenii? We have 6" plants in stock at our Eagle Rock shop, but we don't ship them.
