Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
2025 Caladium of the yr : Heart to Heart ® ' Blushing Bride ' ( Caladium hortulanum ) . Photo by : Proven Winners .
With lush multicolored leaf , many larger than the decoration of your hand , caladiums have become one of the most democratic leafage works for fly-by-night or semi - fly-by-night gardens — with many late introductions being sun tolerant . Each foliage seems to be hand painted with striking combination of green , livid , pinkish , and carmine . Although these tropic South American aboriginal thrive in hot , humid conditions , they can be grown as summer bulb in more temperate climate , or even as houseplants given the right conditions . With a small pampering , these alien shade dwellers create a glorious display rivaling that of any flowering plant .
2025 Caladium of the Year:
philia to Heart ® ' Blushing Bride ' .
On this page : Basics|Growing Tips|Care and Maintenance|Care and Maintenance|Pictures|Design Ideas
On this page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Caladium bicolor , syn . Caladiumxhortulanum
Common names:
Caladium , saint wings , andelephant ears(a name shared by several unlike species of large - folio tropic plants )
Plant type:
Tuberous tropic perennial
Zones:
recurrent in zona 9 - 11 ; can be grow as an yearly or houseplant elsewhere .
Height:
18 to 24 inches ; midget forms under 12 " are also available .
Season of interest:
From June until frost .
Leaf types:
caladium are divided into two main leaf types :
Although the leave of both types run to be thin and fragile , some newer varieties , such asProven Winners ’ mettle to spunk ™ line , have been bred to have thicker folio , making them more sun tolerant and resistant to tearing .
Toxicity:
All parts of the plant are poisonous if have . Keep out of reach of deary and children . Sap from the folio or stanch can also make pocket-sized skin irritation .
Photo by : Proven Winners .
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
What to plant:
In late springiness , you’re able to purchase potted caladiums at local nurseries or develop them yourself from tubers . genus Tuber in the main come in three sizes : medium ( No . 2 ) , large ( No . 1 ) , and jumbo . large tubers typically bring about more leaves and pass matureness faster , which is an plus if you have a short growing season .
Where to plant:
Filtered Sunday or shade , with the exclusion of newer variety that can tolerate more sunshine . The foliage colors are often more vibrant when grown in shade . Because of the large farewell , locate plants in a spot shelter from strong tip to avoid hurt .
Soil:
Plant in a moist , ample , well - drain grime amended by compost or other organic issue .
When to plant:
Because caladiums are natives of the Torrid Zone , they crave oestrus and will only flourish in warm air travel and land temperatures . expect until day temperatures are 70 ° to 85 ° F and nighttime temperature stay above 60 ° F. Depending on your get zone , this can be as early as mid - March ( zona 9 - 11 ) or as tardily as mid - June ( zones 3 - 4 ) . In northerly areas of the country , caladiums often do best in containers because the dirt warms up faster .
How to plant:
If arise from tuber , plant them in garden beds about 1½ to 2 inches deep with the pointed close ( root ) point up . Space plant about 8 to 12 column inch apart , base on their size at maturity . In cool climate , you’re able to take off tubers indoors in early spring , using method similar to those recommended fortuberous begonias .
If planting potted caladium , acclimate them to outdoor condition before place them in the ground .
CALADIUM CARE
Watering:
furnish enough moisture throughout the acquire season to keep the soil evenly moist . If you provide the dirt to dry out out , the foliage may yellow and drop . use a stratum of mulch around your plants to help retain wet .
Fertilizing:
Caladiums do n’t need a lot of fertilizer , and using too much can combust the leaves . The horticulturists at Proven Winners urge using a controlled - release fertilizer at 1/4 strength of what you would unremarkably expend for flower plants . Liquid fertilizer may also be used .
Overwintering:
In tender climate ( zona 9 or gamy ) , tubers will go inactive and the leaf will die back . Simply trim the leaves to the ground and impart the tubers in the flat coat . In colder climate ( Zone 8 or below ) , you must apprehend them up in the fall before frost if you require to replant them the following spring . When the leave of absence die down naturally in the fall , allow the soil to dry out out , then dig up the tubers and store them in a ironic location no cooler than 65 ° F.
Propagation:
Divide tubers in spring after bringing them out of winter storage . Cut each genus Tuber into smaller pieces that contain at least one “ centre " or boss from which new growth will start . Allow the cut pieces to dry for a day before planting .
GROWING INDOORS
Where to grow:
This is the complete houseplant for lovesome rooms with sauna - same shape , such as bathrooms , sunshine rooms , and sun parlour . Avoid exposing to drafts and temperature wavering . When summer get in , you may move your toilet outdoors to a suspect porch or terrace .
Light:
Provide at least 4 time of day of filtered sun from a bright south , east , or west window . Too much sun exposure can cause blacken leave .
Water requirements:
Keep the grunge equally moist , but permit it to dry out when the leaves start to give out back in fall . ( Even indoors , caladium will enter a seasonal dormancy period . ) you’re able to resume tearing when young growth starts .
Temperature and humidity:
Between 60 ° to 65 ° F at night and 70 ° to 75 ° F during the day . Grow in a in high spirits - moisture environment or use a humidifier to increase wet levels . Frequent misting can also aid boost humidity .
CALADIUM VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven winner
Heart to Heart ® ' Lemon Blush'—Buy now from Proven WinnersCaladium hortulanum
15 to 20 inches
Spread:
10 to 14 inches
Exposure:
Sun or shade
Why we love it:
A fancy - leafage variety with a new look — a rose - red nitty-gritty and wide chartreuse margins .
Good companions:
Pair with Proven Accents ® Sweet Caroline Kiwi and Hippo ® Red polka loony toons flora .
2024 National Caladium of the Year
spirit to Heart ® ' Scarlet Flame'—Buy now from Proven WinnersCaladium hortulanum
8 to 10 in
Vivid crimson strap - leaves are adorned with pink and bloodless speckles and a bright green tolerance . Makes an splendid border plant in the landscape or houseplant .
Combine with Sunstar ® Red pentas for a red - focused container compounding . ( see thiscontainer recipefrom Proven Winners ) .
2023 National Caladium of the Year
Heart to Heart ® ' Raspberry Moon'—Buy now from Proven WinnersCaladium hortulanum
Part shade to shade
This award - winning fancy - leaf shape feature dark greenish and raspberry pink splotch over a light green to yellow-bellied background . Also adaptable as a houseplant .
Combine with ColorBlaze ® Lime Time ® flame nettle and Proven Accents ® Sweet Caroline Raven ™ sweet potato vine ( see thiscontainer recipefrom Proven Winners ) .
2022 National Caladium of the Year
Heart to Heart ® ' White Wonder'—Buy now from Proven WinnersCaladium bicolor
An accolade - win strap - leaf form with elegant white foliage outlined with green edges . Makes an excellent border plant in the landscape .
Combine with Heart to Heart ™ ' Heart and Soul ' caladium , Iranian shell , and snake plant for a colorful foliage combination ( see thiscontainer recipefrom Proven Winners ) .
2021 National Caladium of the twelvemonth
gist to Heart ® ' crimson Bride'—Buy now from Proven WinnersCaladium hortulanum
Moderately frilly , cryptical - pink leave have green edge and white veining . hit an excellent border works in the landscape or houseplant .
2025 National Caladium of the Year
Heart to Heart ® ' Bottle Rocket'—Buy now from Proven WinnersCaladium bicolor
A sun - tolerant variety with showy crimson - pinkish veining , white-hot Zen , and green margins .
The prissy clean flower ofEuphorbiaDiamond Snow ™ ( see thiscontainer recipefrom Proven Winners ) .
Heart to Heart ® ' Heart and Soul'—Buy now from Proven WinnersCaladium bicolor
8 to 10 in
Another strap - foliage form , that brings a self-aggrandising punch of color and contrast to sunny or shadowy beds , borders , and baskets .
Heart to Heart ™ ' White Wonder ' , Persian shield andsnake plant(see thiscontainer recipefrom Proven Winners . )
Heart to Heart ® Dawn to Dusk ™ —Buy now from Proven WinnersCaladium bicolor
Full to fond shade
A fancy - leafage shape with red and green leaf set off by shiny snowy veining . Makes an telling “ thriller " in container plantings .
Heart to Heart ™ ‘ Chinook',Croton‘Excelente Rushfoil ’ , and Kimberly Queen fern ( see thiscontainer recipefrom Proven Winners ) .
Heart to gist ® ' Tickle Me Pink'—Buy now from Proven WinnersCaladium bicolor
Beautiful pink centers with white maculation and green margins , what ’s not to love ?
match with Sunstar ™ Red Egyptian star peak for a pinkish and green burst of colour . ( see thiscontainer recipefrom Proven Winners . )
photograph by : Botanic World / Alamy Stock Photo
' blanched Queen’Caladium bicolor
18 to 24 inches
10 to 12 inches
A true drama queer , show off big white leaves and bright red vein that phlebotomise to dark pink , creating a unique smudged effect .
Looks affect when engraft alongsideannual impatienswith crimson or pink flush .
photograph by : Khairil Azhar Junos / Shutterstock
‘ lose Muffet’Caladium bicolor
12 to 14 in
Like its namesake , this treat dwarf caladium is small in height but full of magical spell , with lime greenish leaves adorned by burgundy fleck and creamy lily-white accents .
outstanding in container combine with the greenish - yellow foliation ofGoldilocks cringe Jennyor as an underplanting to taller caladium varieties .
photograph by : Barbara Kalbfleisch / Shutterstock
‘ Moonlight’Caladium‘Moonlight ’
12 to 24 inch
12 to 18 inches
Full shade to partial sun
‘ Moon ’ boast luminescent white leafage that light up any suspect situation in your garden . fragile gullible veins are understated against the creamy white farewell .
cover especially for manipulation in minor containers , can also be used in the garden in contrast with the vibrant colors ofwax begonias .
DESIGN IDEAS
In the garden:
Plant as a groundcover , border , accent planting , or in containers , particularly in fly-by-night areas of the garden that need an infusion of color . The outsized leaves capture attention even from a distance . They are idealistic plants to gather into drear corner or to use as a dramatic backcloth for other tad - love plant life , such asimpatiens , begonias , andhostas . ( See morepopular outside foliage plant . )
In cut flower arrangements:
As an option to get caladiums in pots indoors , leaf cutting involve from the garden will last as long as two to three weeks in a vase or floral arrangement .
Featured in : Garden Design ’s Top 10 Garden Trends for 2022(“Including Plants that transfer You to the Tropics " )
