Caladium humboldtii (Raf.) Schott

Caladium humboldtii or dwarf caladium bears a species name honoring Alexander von Humboldt, the German naturalist and explorer who documented the flora of Latin America in the 18th century. Besides being enjoyed for its beautiful leaves, several types of Caladium including this species are believed to have medicinal properties and were once sold in Chinese herbal shops. However, note that all parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested, and its sap can irritate the skin.

Dwarf caladium grows well under shade or partial shade. Suitable soil conditions are moist soil with intensive watering.

• Leaves thin, arrow-shaped, with the entire margin dark green with irregular white patches (10-14 cm long, 4-7 cm wide). Leaves are borne on long petioles (10-25 cm long) without a stem.
• Flowers this species does not produce flowers or fruit in cultivation.

• Plant propagation is done by dividing the tubers.
• Dwarf caladium, a slow-growing species, is easy to cultivate. Tubers should be planted at a depth twice their height in well-drained potting soil kept consistently moist. Grows best in a humid environment and watering should be done by misting. Fertilize regularly with 8-8-8 NPK fertilizer. This plant is susceptible to attacks by mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids, as well as prone to tuber rot, leaf spot, and leaf scorch. Leaf spot is a mild fungal disease causing brown spots; infected leaves should be discarded. Leaf scorch is browning along the leaf margin caused by dehydration and excess sunlight or fertilizer.

Information not yet found. Further research is needed.

Information not yet found. Further research is needed.

Keladi hias, Keladi mutiara.