Why are last year’s BLACK caladiums not black this year?

Question

The black caladiums were stored in their original soil in a dry, protected place over winter. They are blooming now but they are no longer black. Why aren’t they black this year?

Answer 1

I spoke with one of the major caladium growers in the world, and she explained that first, there are no black caladiums; your black leafed plant might be a variety of elephant ear, and that the black variety is a hybrid, so the new growth could will be reverting to a parent type. Other things that can affect foliage color are changes in light, pH, minerals, even moisture.