Caladiums
These tropical shade dwellers are a stunning choice for the darker corners of your garden landscape. Caladiums also make excellent container plants. Most varieties grow between 18 and 24 inches tall, but dwarf forms are also available. Because their large leaves are easily damaged by high wind, plant them in a protected location.
Caladium Growing
Caladiums are tropical bulbs that need to be dug and stored after frost blackens their foliage in the fall, just as you would do with Gladiolas or ….. In warm, frost-free regions they can remain in the garden. Indoors, use caladiums as a cheerful houseplant. Just give it medium light and warm temperatures. Water caladiums whenever the surface of the soil begins to dry. They prefer moist, but not wet soil. Pinching is for many annual and tender perennial plants—such as coleus—an encouragement to branching and to full, bushy growth.
Winter Care
Northern gardeners will need to store caladiums over the winter. Dig the tubers up after the first light frost. Then, brush off the soil and plunge the roots into a box of peat moss and place in a cool, dark, warm location for the winter. Occasionally sprinkle the bulbs with just a splash of water to keep them hydrated in storage. Replant in pots in the spring and set the plants outside after frost danger has passed.
Distinctive leaf shapes, intricate patterns, and rich colors rival some of the showiest foliage plants. Coleus is grown for its ornate foliage in eye-catching colors including white, yellow, red, pink, purple, maroon, copper, and a wide range of greens. Coleus makes an attractive addition indoors or outdoors.
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Cut It Back
When the weather begins to drop, especially at night, cutting back the coleus flowers will help the plant conserve a lot of energy and food. You do not have to worry about hurting the plant too much if you cut it back too far. Coleus is a very hardy plant and can handle the cutting. In fact, it will come back even bushier and more colorful than before. intense summer sun which will scorch the leaves.
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Keep it Moist
Coleus leaves will wilt and may fall off if the soil is too dry. You'll have a much healthier-looking plant if you keep the soil moist at all times. Use a pot with drainage holes and water thoroughly. Need a container? Check out the stylish self-watering pots available now. It's just the thing to keep your coleus from wilting this summer. Dropped leaves indoors? Low light, dry soil or cold air can cause leaves to drop. Don't worry - this vigorous plant will replace them when it gets what it wants.
Transplanting indoors will save your plants from freezing. Carefully dig around the plant and lift out of the soil. Transplant it into a pot with soil that is already moist. Coleus make a lovely, colorful Thanksgiving dinner table decoration!
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Propagation Coleus’ is Easy:
Cut several twigs, stripe most of the leaves off and place them in a water glass. Exchange the water once a week. After a couple of days, you will see the first tiny roots appear. Once the roots are growing sturdy, plant each of the new plants in a small flower pot and place them overwinter on a window sill.
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Read More About Coleus and Caladiums:
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Coleus
https://www.finegardening.com/article/pinching-coleus
http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/coleus-plant.html
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