Moderate Tropical Toxic to pets

Angel Wings

Caladium bicolor

A spectacular tropical bulb plant, famous for its large heart-shaped leaves with vivid, contrasting colors.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 3 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

60–80 %
Temperature

18–28 °C

How to care for your Angel Wings

Everything you need to keep your Angel Wings healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Caladium is a tuberous plant native to the tropical forests of South America, primarily Brazil. Its large, translucent heart-shaped leaves offer an extraordinary color show, with patterns of pink, red, white, and green that appear hand-painted. It is a seasonal plant: it grows vigorously from spring to fall then enters complete dormancy in winter, losing all its foliage. The bulb must be kept dry and warm during this rest period.

Watering your Angel Wings

Every 3 days

Keep the substrate evenly moist without waterlogging. Use room-temperature water. Gradually reduce watering in autumn as the plant enters dormancy.

How to know it needs water

Substrate beginning to dry at the surface
Leaves drooping slightly
Leaf margins beginning to curl

How much light a Angel Wings needs

Bright indirect light

Bright indirect light. Some varieties tolerate a little shade. Direct sun scorches the delicate leaves and fades the colours.

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 1 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, North-west

Humidity and misting

60–80 %

60–80% Mist frequently to maintain high humidity. Caladiums are tropical understorey plants that require a humid atmosphere. A pebble tray with water is recommended.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 14 days

Fertilize every 2 weeks during the active growing period (May to September). Stop fertilizing entirely as soon as leaves begin to yellow in autumn.

Recommended feed: Liquid fertilizer rich in nitrogen and potassium, diluted to half dose. · 2-1-2

Repotting your Angel Wings

Every 12 months

Replant bulbs in spring at 2–3 cm depth in a light, rich blend: peat, perlite, and compost. Eyes (buds) pointing upward. Separate small bulbs for propagation.

When: Early spring (March), before vegetation resumes
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Bulbs crowded in the pot
Leaves smaller than the previous season
Bulbs pushing to the surface

Pruning your Angel Wings

Remove faded leaves as they appear. In autumn, allow the foliage to yellow naturally before dormancy. Cut faded leaf stems at the base with clean scissors. Do not force the removal of leaves that are still partly green. Wear gloves due to the irritating sap.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 8 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 2 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals. Toxic to animals and humans. Ingestion causes intense oral pain, tongue swelling, and difficulty swallowing.

Good to know

Caladium goes into complete dormancy in winter: all its leaves disappear and only the bulb survives underground for several months before reappearing in spring.
There are over 1,000 caladium cultivars with endless combinations of pink, red, white, and green on the leaves.

Frequently asked questions about the Angel Wings

How do you care for a Angel Wings?

Water it every 3 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 60–80 %. Ideal temperature: 18–28 °C. Keep the substrate evenly moist without waterlogging. Use room-temperature water. Gradually reduce watering in autumn as the plant enters dormancy.

How often should you water a Angel Wings?

Every 3 days Keep the substrate evenly moist without waterlogging. Use room-temperature water. Gradually reduce watering in autumn as the plant enters dormancy. How to know it needs water : Substrate beginning to dry at the surface ; Leaves drooping slightly ; Leaf margins beginning to curl.

How much light does a Angel Wings need?

Bright indirect light Bright indirect light. Some varieties tolerate a little shade. Direct sun scorches the delicate leaves and fades the colours. 0 to 1 h a day

Is the Angel Wings toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals. Toxic to animals and humans. Ingestion causes intense oral pain, tongue swelling, and difficulty swallowing. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my Angel Wings leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Angel Wings?

Repot every 12 months, ideally in early spring (march), before vegetation resumes. Replant bulbs in spring at 2–3 cm depth in a light, rich blend: peat, perlite, and compost. Eyes (buds) pointing upward. Separate small bulbs for propagation.