Caladium ‘Celebration’ is a visually striking foliage plant that brings vibrant color to any home or garden. Its unique, colorful leaves make it a favored choice for enhancing plant collections with tropical beauty. This plant provides season-long interest.
Understanding Caladium Celebration
Caladium ‘Celebration’ features distinct leaves with a lively blend of colors and textures. Its foliage typically showcases white leaves, accented by lush green edges and deep red veining, sometimes with white confetti-like speckles. This cultivar can reach a mature size of approximately 14-16 inches in height and 14 inches in width, exhibiting an upright growth habit. Introduced in 2013 from Dr. Robert Hartman’s breeding program, ‘Celebration’ was recognized as a “Plant of Distinction” at the 2013 Trial Gardens at UGA.
Caladium Celebration Care
Caladiums require specific environmental conditions. Providing the right light, water, soil, and atmospheric conditions ensures a healthy, vibrant plant. Adhering to these guidelines helps mimic their native tropical environment.
Light Needs
Caladium ‘Celebration’ thrives in bright, indirect light or partial shade. It prefers filtered sunlight, especially indoors. Direct, harsh sunlight can fade the colorful foliage or lead to leaf “melting” (brown-edged holes). Outdoors, an east or north-facing spot with dappled shade is ideal.
Watering
Caladium ‘Celebration’ needs consistent moisture but should never be waterlogged. Water thoroughly until excess drains, then allow the top inch or two of soil to dry before rewatering. Overwatering leads to root rot, while insufficient moisture causes leaves to droop or turn yellow. Use room-temperature water, as cold water can shock the plant’s roots.
Soil and Fertilizing
Caladiums prefer a well-draining, fertile soil mix rich in organic matter. A suitable potting mix includes peat moss, perlite, and sand, or a commercial foliage mix. Avoid heavy soils, which retain too much moisture and lead to root issues. During the active growing season (spring through summer), Caladium ‘Celebration’ benefits from regular fertilization. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied every two weeks is recommended.
Temperature and Humidity
Caladium ‘Celebration’ thrives in warm temperatures, ideally 60-75°F (21-29°C) during its growth period. They are sensitive to cooler temperatures, which can cause leaf loss or premature dormancy. High humidity (50-80%) is also beneficial. To increase humidity, use a humidifier, place the plant on a pebble tray with water, or group plants together. Misting offers temporary relief, but avoid over-misting to prevent fungal issues.
Dormancy and Winter Storage
Caladiums undergo a natural dormancy period as temperatures cool and day lengths shorten. As autumn approaches, the plant’s foliage will yellow and die back. Gradually reduce watering, allowing the soil to dry almost completely. Once foliage has withered, prepare tubers for winter storage.
For storage, dig up the tubers, remove excess soil, and allow them to cure in a dry, ventilated space for 1-2 weeks. This curing process helps prevent rot during storage. After curing, trim off any remaining foliage and roots. Store cleaned tubers in a cool, dry, dark location (50-70°F / 10-21°C), often in a paper bag or box with peat moss, vermiculite, or sawdust. This helps maintain suitable moisture levels without promoting rot.
Propagating Caladium Celebration
Propagate Caladium ‘Celebration’ by dividing its tubers. This process is undertaken in spring before the new growing season begins. When preparing tubers for division, examine them to identify the “eyes” or growth points, which resemble small buds. Each section must contain at least one eye for successful new growth.
Using a clean, sharp knife, divide the tuber into sections, ensuring each piece has at least one eye. Some growers damage the central eye to encourage more shoots from smaller buds, resulting in a bushier plant. After cutting, allow the cut surfaces to dry and callus over for a day or two in a warm, dry place. This step helps reduce the risk of rot once planted. Plant the divided sections just beneath the soil surface with the eyes facing upwards, then water lightly.
Common Problems and Solutions
Caladium ‘Celebration’ can encounter issues, often related to improper environmental conditions. Yellowing leaves indicate overwatering, underwatering, or a nutrient deficiency. Adjusting watering practices and ensuring proper soil drainage addresses moisture-related yellowing. Browning leaf tips suggest low humidity; increase it with pebble trays or humidifiers.
Lack of vibrant variegation stems from insufficient light; move the plant to brighter, indirect light to enhance its colors. Common pests include spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids. Signs include sticky residue, tiny white spots, or visible insects. For spider mites, increase humidity and regularly spray the plant with water. Insecticidal soap or neem oil are also effective organic solutions. Regular inspection helps detect and address problems early.