How Often to Water a Caladium
Caladium bicolor · Difficulty: Moderate
Care Snapshot
| Light | Bright, indirect light; some varieties tolerate medium light |
|---|---|
| Soil | Light, rich, well-draining potting mix |
| Humidity | Prefers higher humidity (50%+) |
| Temperature | 21-29°C (70-85°F); does not tolerate cold |
| Pet Safety | ☠️ Toxic to cats & dogs (contains calcium oxalate crystals - causes oral irritation if chewed) |
Want a personalized schedule based on your pot size and light? Try the free watering calculator.
Signs of Overwatering
A tuber that sits in cold, waterlogged soil during its active growing season will rot, showing as a mushy base and collapsing stems.
Signs of Underwatering
The paper-thin, colorful heart-shaped leaves wilt and crisp at the edges very quickly once the soil dries out - this plant has little drought tolerance while actively growing.
Adjusting for the Seasons
Caladium is genuinely seasonal, not just slower in winter: the tuber naturally goes dormant and the leaves die back completely in autumn. Stop watering almost entirely and store the dormant tuber cool and dry until it resprouts in spring.
Pro Tip
Don't panic when all the leaves die back in fall - that's the plant's normal dormancy cycle, not death. Keep the pot in a cool, dry spot over winter and resume watering when new growth appears.
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