If you are marvel whether you have Caladium ( Caladium bicolor ) or a Syngonium ( Syngonium podophyllum ) then this article provide you with a guide on how to make out these plant to figure out which one is live in your home rent - free .
The main dispute is caladium is grown from a tuber and On the other hired hand , Syngonium is grown from adventitious root and is more tolerable to their surroundings . liken to Syngonium , caladium can be more vibrant in color and have several distinctive leaf shapes .
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Are Caladiums and Syngoniums the same plants?
Both Caladium and Syngonium belong to theAraceaefamily . Given the fact that they ’re cousins , it ’s no surprise that they look very similar .
Caladiums ( LatinCaladium bicolor ) are unremarkably know as the substance of Jesus , saint wings , and elephant ear .
genus Syngonium ( LatinSyngonium podophyllum ) synonyms are arrowhead vine , goose ’s ft , and five fingers .

Caladium vs Syngonium: Differences
When it comes to very like plants like these , it ’s crucial to spot their conflict .
Even though some details might not seem that important , commit me – they are ! To develop a healthy little plant , you necessitate to learn as much as you could about it .
Foliage Shapes, Colors, and Varieties
Caladium plants produce leaves from spring to come and roost throughout the wintertime .
This procedure should n’t be confused with wilt , because this is a natural event that many tuber industrial plant undergo .
Do n’t worry , the leaves will grow anew in the spring ! They backpack a apparition of very bluff colours .

On the other hand , Syngonium has softer colouring , usually displayed in a gradient .
allot to research , caladium leaves have the high level of diversity compared to other popular aroids , such as elephant’s ear , philodendron , and even Syngonium .
They unremarkably come in one of three types : fancy , strap , and lance .

Fancy parting are heart - shaped with three independent veins arranged in an reverse Y shape .
These varieties are easily placeable , and the size of leaves can go up to 30 column inch ( 76 curium ) . That ’s why these caladiums are usually planted by oneself .
I have Red Flash variety in my livelihood room and it ’s one of the most popular among all caladium varieties .

Its intense red veins are contrast by dark - gullible edge on 15 ( 38 cm ) farseeing leaves .
shoulder strap leave are narrow , spear - forge , and have only one master nervure . The leafstalk is attached near the boundary of the leaf .
The foliage is a quite a little smaller , so you may plant multiple plants together and play with colour .

My favorite variety is Florida Fantasy . The leave are vibrant in colors with a white screen background , unripened edge , and come across reddish blue veins .
Lance leaves come in a lanceolate soma , something between heart and shoulder strap shape . They be given to be 8 column inch ( 20 curium ) long .
The most renowned representative is the Lance Whorton variety that has crimson - reddened vein , green edges , and a splattering of white dots . This mountain lion ’s pallet on a folio can be grow individually or in batches .

Syngonium leave are milder in colour and do n’t come in so many variations as caladiums .
Since they do n’t remain during the winter , you could expect to see these beautiful leaves during the entire year .
Juvenile leaf is more pointer - form , while grownup plants have a five - lobed shape , hence the name five fingers .
This shape - shifting activeness makes up for the dullness of colors , and it ’s always interesting to watch the transitioning process .
Younger leaf can be 3 - 7 inches ( 7.5 - 17.5 centimeter ) long and matured I can be almost 9 inch ( 19 centimeter ) long .
The centre pamphlet is surrounded by 3 to 11 egg-shaped leaflets , depending on the maturity of the plant .
They are all connected to the stem via petioles that can be almost 15 inch ( 38 cm long ) .
My favourite variety are Pink Splash Allusion that has green parting with pink splashes , and tiny Glo - Glo syngoniums that have white veins on a green backdrop .
Structure
Caladiums bounce from secret tubers . A tuber is a alteration of the plant ’s radical that ’s more suited for lay in energy in the figure of proteins .
This organ allows the plant to rest during colder day and reemerge when the temperatures are suited for growth . That ’s why the plant can maturate in full sizing in one season !
genus Syngonium is an evergreen vine plant . Unlike caladium , syngonium grows from adolescent , adventitious roots .
unseasoned stem are green - sorry , hairless , and smooth while mature stems run to harden and turn browned .
Height: Sleeper vs Climber
For me , this is the braggy remainder between caladium and Syngonium . caladium do n’t grow that high , even though some cultivars can gain 20 in ( 50 cm ) in top .
They usually grow about 14 inch ( 35 cm ) and then open in width . Syngonium grow in vine , which think of they like to wax .
If you keep the industrial plant tidy for long enough , it will go up any pole you put next to it .
Only the sky ’s the limit point ! Some people use plastic ladders or poles for the vines , but I choose sphagnum moss pole with bamboo magnetic core .
They ’re reclaimable and eco - friendly substitutions that do n’t take up much space .
Propagation: Cutting or Division
Caladium ’s resting menses commence in the downslope . The leaves fall off and you ’re only left with the tuber .
That ’s the gross time to separate fledged genus Tuber into section , with at least one bulb on each section .
Clean them and keep them in sawdust or Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin store at temperatures above 55 ° F ( 13 ° coke ) .
Those tubers are now quick to be planted in the next growing seasons so you have even more Caladium plants !
Syngoniums are even easier to propagate . I like to do it this way : find a new growth shoot with one or two leaves on it .
A couple of inches below the leaf should be a little gibbousness , telephone nodes . Cutting an inch below the nodes is fine .
Place your new plant in a compost mix pot and keep it warm . Hurray , you now have at least two Syngonium plants !
Habitat
genus Syngonium and caladiums originate from the tropical and subtropical pelting forest of Central and South America , so humid environments with well - drain soils are particularly skillful for them .
Since caladiums are produce from a genus Tuber or a bulb , they ’re more sore to low temperatures .
They require a temperature of at least 70 ° F ( 21 ° C ) for tubers to come out growing , while Syngonium shoots can sprout at a bit lower temperature .
Growing Caladiums and Syngoniums: Which is easier?
Every flora has different needs . For it to turn goodly , sure requirement must be met .
I will accent the grandness of ground , water , and exposure to sunlight , because you , the gardener , can directly touch these factors .
Caladium does n’t require much attention . It ’s important to keep the soil moist at all times because it ’s a tuber plant .
Make certain you do n’t overwater the dirt and make it soggy . gravid plants can be watered 3 or more times a hebdomad , depending on your area .
In terms of watering your syngonium , it ’s proficient to keep the soil moist . Watering the plant 2 - 3 times a week should do the conjuration .
If you live in a dry area , I recommend putting pebbles soaked in the water underneath the pot .
This way , the H2O will easy vaporise into the grime . However , Syngonium is a lot more insensitive to drought than caladium .
embrown on the edges , ordinarily on some bigger leaf , is a rough-cut sign of water supply shortage .
take note that both caladium and Syngonium plants grow in small containers require more water , as they do n’t have enough soil to keep the moisture .
They share almost the same soil preferences . caladium like well - enfeeble and slightly acidic land .
I recommend a mixture of compost and perlite in the proportion of 80:20 . you may throw in some orchid bark too for the drainage !
Caladiums are sensitive to light exposure . They ca n’t stand verbatim sunlight , and they will show it by getting brown patches on their leaves .
Their leaves are almost semitransparent , normally thinner than genus Syngonium leaves , so it ’s necessary to take proper care of them .
Keep them in shades and collateral sunshine ( aside from windows ) . genus Syngonium is very adaptable when it fall to calorie-free exposure .
They do n’t require much sunlight and can be grown in shades , which is idealistic for indoor gardening .
However , if you intend to keep it in a place with low sum of light , then I recommend get a mixture that has more green farewell , like Mini Allusion . The unripe they are , the higher concentration of sun absorption is .
salmagundi such as Glo - Glo have a heap of white on their leaves , so they can be point onto hopeful collateral light . Never discover them to manoeuvre sunlight as it can scorch their thin leaves .
Similarities between Caladium and Syngonium
Despite their difference , caladium and genus Syngonium have a tidy sum more traits in common .
They both spring up from tropic forest , so they prefer humid region . I like to keep their pot next to each other because they expect the same amount of light .
When it come to tearing , I like to water mature plant together at the same sentence . Juvenile ones get a moment of special treatment .
come from the sameAraceaefamily , they share vulgar cuss and disease , meaning they share the same cures too !
Lastly , they both weigh as mononucleosis - flowering plants . Each petiole can produce only one bloom , but the majority of modern varieties do n’t even create any flowers .
Even if they do , know gardener lean to cut them off forthwith . This way , most of the energy and food go straight into the foliage .
Final words
Caladium and syngonium plants are evergreens that grace your home with colourful leaves . I always recommend them to beginner and master gardeners alike .
It ’s of import to learn their differences , even though they seem very similar at first coup d’oeil .
caladium are more sensitive to sunlight exposure , water , and temperature , while Syngonium is more forgiving .
This sensibility is a issue of the caladium plant growing from a tuber . Syngonium grows from a root and care to spread in a form of vines – a moss magnetic pole is highly commend to ensure it climbs healthily .
Despite the differences , they still add up from the same fellowship of desiccated plants . I care to keep them together in the same room in indirect sun . This way , they both get enough attending and admiration that they wholeheartedly merit !
( generator : ResearchGate )
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