Common Caladium Problems {+ How To Fix Them}

Caladium are relatively hardy, easy to grow plants – but like everything we grow, they can suffer with problems that can affect their health and growth. We’re going to go through some common caladium problems, to help you work out what could be wrong with your favorite plant – and how to fix it!

Common Caladium Problems

This plant is not really susceptible to too many problems – aside from over or under watering, and issues with too much or too little light.

This article will tell you – among other things – the most common problems experienced by caladium, and what to do about them.

Why Is My Caladium Dying?

These plants, like all others, can suffer with problems caused by their environment, but there are lots of things you can do to help it! Let’s have a look at some problems and solutions:

Too cold

The caladium cannot survive in cold conditions; they will give up completely and die off if they are kept in cold conditions for too long.

Keep your caladium indoors during the winter, or dig up the bulbs and store them safely until the following year.

Too hot

Although caladium likes to be warm, too much heat and direct sunlight will burn the leaves and cause wilting and death.

Keep the plant in a place where it receives dappled, filtered sunlight rather than direct sunshine.

Too much water

Overwatering causes a lot of issues for most plants, and can cause the roots to rot, killing the plant.

Keep the soil moist but not wet, and hold off on watering completely when the weather is rainy.

Not enough water

All plants need water to survive, and this one is no exception! Without enough to drink, your caladium will not be able to produce those wonderful leaves.

Keep an eye on the moisture levels, and if the soil feels dry then it’s time to offer a drink or several.

How Do You Save A Dying Caladium?

There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching a previously healthy plant slowly die before your very eyes, is there?

Let’s look into reasons that could be causing your caladium’s decline – and what you can do to fix them.

Over watering

If the top layer of your caladium’s soil is wet, you are definitely watering too much.

Stop watering the plant completely, and ensure that its soil is well draining enough to allow water to escape. If you keep it indoors, make sure there is no water sitting in the tray underneath the pot.

Under watering

Not enough water is just as bad for plants as too much! Check your caladium’s soil; if the top 25% is dry then it is definitely time for a drink.

If your caladium urgently needs water, you can soak the pot in a bath of tepid water for a good half hour, then let it drain away. Continue watering normally after this.

Temperature stress

These plants like to be kept warm, so if they are getting too chilly then this can cause them to droop and die.

Ensure that your caladium is kept warm; between 70 and 75 degrees F in the day and 60 to 65 degrees F at night is perfect for them. No colder than this, please!

Too much sunlight

Although they need light, caladium cannot cope with too much direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.

Allow your plant to grow in filtered sunlight, and prevent the hot sun from scorching the leaves by providing it with shade.

Once you know some of the best ways to keep your caladium healthy, you can provide it with its favorite conditions and hopefully keep it going long into old age.

If you like visual instructions, here is a video showing you how to save your dying caladium:

Why Are Some Of My Caladium Leaves Drooping?

A plant cannot speak, so it will show its distress by not growing as it should – and this includes leaves which droop and wilt.

Caladium’s leaves drooping can be caused by many factors:

• Low temperatures. This plant likes to be warm and humid, and if it gets too cold then it will show its distress by drooping.
• The wrong type of soil. If you have planted your caladium in heavy, alkaline soil, the plant will not thrive and its leaves will begin to droop pretty quickly.
• Too much or too little water. A bit like Goldilocks, caladium likes its water intake to be “Just right!” Don’t allow it to dry out completely, but don’t let it get too soggy for long periods.
• Excessive direct light. These plants don’t like to get too much direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves and make them look wilted and tired.
• Fertilizer build up. The salts from the fertilizer can actually build up around the roots of this plant, preventing it from taking on any more nutrients. Give it a good flush through with clean water, and don’t feed it more than twice in the growing season.
• Not enough humidity. These tropical plants need the air around them to be moisture filled, so misting them or using a humidifier can be a great solution.

Why Are My Caladiums Turning Brown?

Wilting leaves are one thing, but what to do if you notice your caladium’s beauty being marred by different colored patches on the leaves?

Brown leaves are a sign of sunburn on these light-sensitive plants. If they are getting too much direct light and showing brown patches, you will need to give them some shade.

Fertilizer can also be a culprit in making leaves turn brown; excessive feeding is really not what these plants need.

Caladium aren’t too susceptible to insect infestations, but you may notice patches of discoloration from aphids, that can cause the leaves to darken. Wash or rub off these little pests wherever you see them!

Now that you have a few more ideas up your sleeve, hopefully you can keep your caladium free of common caladium problems.

Once you know more, you can do more! We hope that you are now better able to deal with any problems your caladium may have.