Caladiums 1 to 23 of 23 total
Caladiums 1 to 23 of 23 total
Caladiums
Uses:
- Tropical Gardens
- Landscape Accent
- Houseplant
- Container Thriller
Features:
- Thrive in Hot & Humid Weather
- Tropical Appearance
- Multicolored Heart-Shaped Leaves
Sunlight:
- Full Shade to Full Sun
- Depends on the Specific Variety
Growing Zones:
- 10-11
- What is My Zone?
Caladiums are tropical foliage plants available in a variety of bright colors. Newer varieties tolerate more sun, but most plants are happy in partial shade. These plants will add an instant tropical vibe to a planting and can be used as a focal point. They make excellent container plants and can be grown indoors over the winter.
About Caladiums
Genus
Species
Family
Caladium
Bicolor, hortulanum, schomburgkii, pygmaeum, hortulanum
Araceae
Common Names:
Elephant Ear, Heart of Jesus, Angel Wings
Native To:
Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru
Plant Type:
Annuals
Foliage Type:
Deciduous, Herbaceous
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
9 - 11
Flower Color:
White, Yellow, Green
Flower Bloom Time:
Late Spring to Early Summer
Growth Habit:
Upright, Mounded, Spreading
Attracts:
Pollinators, bees, flies, gardeners
Tolerates:
Shade, Humidity, Warm Temperatures, Some Drought Stress
Resists:
Deer, Rabbits, Voles and Moles
How To Use Caladium In The Garden
Caladium are admired for their heart-shaped leaves that display a striking array of colors and patterns, including combinations of green, white, pink, and red. These unique foliage characteristics make them a popular choice for gardeners looking to add visual interest to shaded areas. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, caladiums are also deer-resistant, reducing the likelihood of damage from foraging animals.
Arrange caladiums in drifts beneath trees or along shaded borders for a striking display of colorful foliage. Group them with ferns, hostas, or impatiens to create contrasting leaf textures in low-light conditions. They also shine as container plants, either alone or mixed with other heat-loving annuals. In cold climates, bring plants indoors where they grow easily in bright, indirect light.
Caladium Care
Plant caladium tubers with the "eyes" face up, ensuring the tip is about 2 inches deep. Use a high-quality, well-drained potting mix rich in organic matter. Maintain soil moisture to resemble a wrung-out sponge, avoiding full dryness. Caladiums thrive in partial to full shade, though some varieties tolerate full sun. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.
Remove caladium flowers to conserve energy for foliage. In zones 9-11, caladiums can be perennial; reduce watering as leaves die back in fall, and mulch well. In colder zones, gently dig out tubers and store them in a dark, dry, frostfree spot, or grow them as houseplants. When growing in containers, select a pot a few inches wider than the roots and fill with a well-drained potting mix rich in organic matter.
Learn More About Caladium Care
Best Time To Plant Caladium
Depending on where you live, you will want to plan accordingly on when to plant your caladium plants either in the ground or in containers. This chart below should help you figure out the best time to plant. We will ship your plants at a safe time to plant as well, so no need to worry about getting your plants too soon before it is safe for the plants to be outside.
|
Region |
When to Plant |
Sun or Shade |
Containers or in the garden |
|
NW & NE United States & Canada |
Early summer |
Full sun - light shade. |
Caladiums do best in containers in this part of the country and usually need to be in a protected warm location for best results. Like a sunroom or warm patio setting. If growing outdoors select the warmest protected locations in the garden. |
|
SW United States |
Spring |
shade to light shade only |
Containers may be easiest but a shady, cool garden spot can also be lovely. Watch your watering to keep the plants from drying out. |
|
Midwest |
Late Spring |
Light shade |
Containers are likely best, but a late spring planting into a protected shade flower bed will also be fine. |
|
SE United States |
Spring |
Shade to sun |
Both containers and garden plantings work fine, in the deep south Caladiums may even come back the following year if kept dry over the winter. |
*Chart Info From Proven Winners
Caladiums are beautiful foliage interest plants that can be used in a variety of ways. They can also be planted outdoors during warmer months and will grow well in shady areas. During winter months, the plants or bulbs can be brought indoors. The leaves give any space a modern or tropical look. Caladiums grow best with soil that is moist but not too wet. You can plant these in shady areas or in containers. These plants also make great houseplants.
Caladiums Companion Plants
Caladium partners thrive where the soil stays consistently moist, humusy, and slightly acid, with dappled shade for traditional cultivars or morning sun for the newer sun‑tolerant selections. Weigela supplies an upright framework and early‑season blossoms that segue neatly into caladium’s midsummer foliage show, while shade‑loving hostas slip beneath the elephant‑ear leaves to mask bare stems and echo the lush, broad‑leafed look with subtler tones. For extra drama, thread in coleus whose multicolored blades mirror caladium’s palette yet add sharper outlines, then punctuate the whole planting with Egyptian papyrus—its airy umbels rise above the canopy, enjoying the same moisture regime without crowding the statement foliage below.
