Caladiums are tropical plants known for their colorful, heart-shaped leaves that come in a variety of striking hues like red, pink, white, and green. When the bulb first sprouts, it emerges with a green stem and leaves As the leaves mature, the vibrant colors start to show
If you’re planting caladium bulbs for the first time, you may be wondering – how long does it take for them to sprout? Read on to find out the average sprouting time and what factors impact how quickly they emerge.
When Do Caladium Bulbs Sprout?
On average, caladium bulbs take 2 to 12 weeks to sprout after being planted. The exact timing depends on several factors:
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Soil temperature – Caladium bulbs require warm soil to sprout, ideally 65-70°F. In cooler soil, sprouting will be delayed.
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Air temperature – Warmer air temperatures will speed up sprouting Ideal conditions are 70°F during the day and above 65°F at night
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Bulb maturity – Mature, large bulbs with many growth nodes will sprout faster than smaller, less developed bulbs.
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Time of planting – Bulbs planted later in spring will sprout quicker than those planted early in cool soil.
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Indoors vs. outdoors – Outdoor bulbs get warmer soil and tend to sprout faster than indoor bulbs.
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Sun exposure – More sun helps bulbs sprout faster.
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Moisture – Keeping soil consistently moist (but not soggy) encourages sprouting.
So in optimal warm, sunny conditions, caladium bulbs can sprout in as little as 2-3 weeks. But in cooler weather or less ideal conditions, sprouting may take up to 12 weeks. Be patient, keep bulbs warm, and sprouts will emerge.
Storing Bulbs Until Planting
If your caladium bulbs arrive before you’re ready to plant them, proper storage is important. Find an area that stays 65-70°F and has good airflow. Remove any packaging and spread bulbs out so air can circulate around each one.
Check bulbs occasionally and discard any that show signs of rotting. Once outdoor soil temperatures reach 65°F or higher, bulbs can be planted. Proper storage prevents premature sprouting and rot.
When to Plant Caladium Bulbs
Outdoors, the right planting time for caladiums is after the threat of frost when soil warms up to at least 65°F. This is usually 2-4 weeks after the average last spring frost date for your area.
For indoor planting, start bulbs 4-6 weeks before your outdoor planting date so sprouts are ready to go outside when it’s warm enough. Indoors, provide plenty of light from an east or west window. Maintain temperatures of 70°F.
Planting too early when soil is cold will delay sprouting. Waiting until optimal warmer temperatures helps bulbs sprout faster.
Planting Depth for Quick Sprouts
Proper planting depth is key to rapid sprouting. Bury caladium bulbs 1.5-2 inches below the soil surface, whether in ground or containers. This prevents bulbs from drying out while still allowing sprouts easy access to sunlight and warm air right above ground.
Deeper planting slows emergence. Shallower planting can cause bulbs to dry out. Stick with 1.5-2 inches for best results.
Using a Heating Mat
Using a heated propagation mat when sprouting caladiums indoors can significantly speed up sprouting. These mats gently warm the soil, creating optimal sprouting temperatures.
Simply place pots on the mat and plug it in. Maintain soil moisture while on the mat. Remove pots once sprouts emerge to avoid overheating. This extra heat can cut sprouting time by several weeks.
Watering for Faster Sprouts
Once planted, caladium bulbs need consistently moist soil to sprout quickly. Water whenever the top inch of soil dries out. Soak thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of pots.
Avoid letting bulbs dry out completely which can delay sprouting and cause bulbs to shrivel or rot. Adequate moisture combined with warmth prompts rapid sprouting. Reduce watering once sprouts emerge.
Indications Sprouts Are Coming
How can you tell if your planted caladium bulbs are about to sprout? Here are a few signs that emergence is nearing:
- Soil surface bulges slightly from growth underneath.
- Small white roots become visible emerging from bulbs.
- Bulb sprouts split the soil open.
Once you see these signs, sprouts should fully emerge within 1-2 weeks. Monitor soil moisture and warmth to keep your budding caladiums growing.
Caring for Caladiums Post-Sprouting
Once those first sprouts emerge, your work isn’t done! Proper care keeps your caladium plants looking their best:
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Move sprouted pots into bright, indirect light. Turn regularly for even growth.
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Water whenever the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry. Avoid wilting.
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Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer to nourish rapid growth.
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Monitor for pests like aphids or mites and treat any found immediately.
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Transplant into garden beds or larger containers once outdoor temperatures are reliably warm.
Giving your sprouted caladiums proper moisture, nutrients, light, and pest care keeps them happy and growing vigorously!
Troubleshooting Slow or No Sprouting
If your caladium bulbs are taking longer than 12 weeks to sprout or not sprouting at all, a few issues could be to blame:
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Cold soil – Get bulbs warmer with a heat mat or move to a sunnier indoor spot. Don’t plant outdoors until soil is minimum 65°F.
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Insufficient water – Sprouting needs consistently moist soil. Increase watering frequency.
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Planted upside-down – Carefully dig up bulbs and replant right-side up at proper depth.
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Too deep planting – Replant bulbs at correct 1.5-2 inch depth.
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Lack of nutrients – Mix soluble fertilizer into watering can to provide missing nutrients.
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Pests – Fungus gnats or other pests could be attacking bulbs. Treat any infestations.
With a few troubleshooting tweaks, recalcitrant bulbs can successfully get growing. Don’t give up on them too soon!
Enjoy the Wait – Sprouts Are Coming!
Waiting for those first sprouts after planting caladium bulbs can feel painfully long when you’re eager to see colorful leaves unfurl. But rest assured, with proper care bulbs will send up sprouts in an average of 2-12 weeks.
Patience and keeping bulbs warm, nourished, and moist will be rewarded with vigorous green sprouts emerging right on schedule. Then you can look forward to a summer showcasing gorgeous caladium leaves!
Do I need to fertilize?
Caladiums don’t need as much fertilizer to stay happy compared to “hungry” flowers like petunias. When you plant them, mix some Proven Winners Premium continuous-release plant food into the soil (follow package instructions for rates). Follow up with our water-soluble plant food once per month. Though they may occasionally produce a flowerlike bud called a spathe, caladiums are grown for their colorful foliage.
Heart to Heart™ Caladiums are the answer!
These lush tropical plants are the perfect way to bring that “vacation vibe” to your deck or patio containers, garden beds and even your living room. Though caladiums traditionally thrive in lower light conditions, newer, more sun tolerant varieties can be grown alongside your favorite Proven Winners annuals like ColorBlaze® coleus, Sunpatiens® impatiens and Sweet Caroline sweet potato vines.
Heart to Heart Caladiums make unique and bold “thrillers” in container recipes paired with shorter, mounded to trailing plants. A container filled with lush caladiums is an amazing sight to behold. They’re also stunning when planted en masse in garden beds. See all of our caladium recipes.
Depending on the look you’re going for and what kind of lighting conditions you are able to provide, you can choose from Fancy Leaf or Strap Leaf varieties.
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Fancy Leaf Caladiums tend to have heart-shaped leaves with their stem (petiole) attached near the middle of the leaf and an upright habit. They are generally more shade tolerant, but some cultivars can handle quite a bit of sun. Fancy leaf types tend to be a bit more sensitive to cold, so if you’re planning to bring them indoors for winter, do so before the temperatures drop below 60°F.
Strap Leaf Caladiums have narrower, arrow-shaped leaves with their stem (petiole) attached near the edge of the leaf and a mounded habit. They are generally more sun tolerant but also grow well in shade. Strap leaf types tend to be a bit more cold tolerant, so if you’re planning to bring them indoors for winter, you have a bit more time than with the fancy leaf types.How long does it take for caladium bulbs to grow?
FAQ
Why are my caladium bulbs not sprouting?
Caladium corms don’t look like much when they’re dormant. A ‘bad’ bulb will be soft and mushy. They also may not sprout as long as the soil temperatures are below 60 degrees. They’ll be better to be a little on the dry side if the ground is cool, else they’ll rot.
How long does it take for caladium bulbs to come up?
Water. After planting, water your caladiums generously. Roots and sprouts will form in a few weeks, depending on soils and air temperature.
How to get caladiums to sprout?
You could start to see foliage emerge from your caladium bulbs in as little as 3 weeks after planting if you start them in the warmer part of the season once the soil temperature rises above 65°F. When starting them earlier in the spring indoors, expect to see foliage in about 6-8 weeks, depending on the variety.
How long does it take caladium bulbs to sprout?
Typically, it takes between two and twelve weeks for caladium bulbs to sprout. This is greatly dependent on the temperature of the ground and air in their growing environments. Caladiums love hot weather, and the warmer they are, the sooner they will sprout.
How long does it take for Caladium to grow?
Anything up to three months is still within a reasonable time to expect to see your caladium start to shoot up. If, after three months or so you are not seeing any growth, it is a good idea to check all of your growing conditions and start over with fresh bulbs.
Can caladium bulbs sprout at night?
Caladium bulbs can’t sprout if the temperature drops during the night, which is why checking your temperatures for at least a week or more before planting is important. Once temperatures are consistently above 65℉ at night, I know it’s getting warm enough to plant my caladium bulbs.
How do you grow caladium bulbs?
Caladium bulbs sprout better in a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. When you plant your caladium bulbs, you want to ensure they have sufficient moisture to grow without them being drowned. Water the soil well and ensure an efficient humidity to keep the soil from drying out too quickly.
Where can I buy caladium bulbs?
Buy caladium tubers or potted plants. You can order caladium tubers (often called bulbs) online or buy them from your local nursery. The larger the tubers, the larger your plants will be. To make planting even easier, purchase sprouted caladiums in small pots.