Heart To Heart® Xplosion Caladium

Light Needs

Full Shade to Full Sun

(Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions)

Mature Height

1-2 Feet

Mature Spread

1 Foot

The Heart to Heart® 'Xplosion' or Caladium hortulanum is all about foliage. The variegation changes as each of the heart-shaped leaves reach maturity but expect to see olive-green tones along the edges with splashes of cream throughout the center and deep pink or red veining. These leafy plants bloom in the spring and summer, but the flowers are somewhat insignificant, and these plants are prized for their foliage. Some gardeners remove the flowers to force the plant to push out more foliage.

This sizable plant can get up to 20 inches tall, making it an excellent choice for containers, borders, landscapes, and mass plantings. The Heart to Heart® 'Xplosion' is right at home in high heat, so it will look lush and leafy during warm summer weather. Caladium comes from Central and South America, and it will live as a perennial in USDA zones 10 and 11. In other regions, the plant is grown as an annual. 

Heart to Heart® 'Xplosion' Plant Care

Caladium plants need sunlight to maintain their beautifully variegated leaves, but too much light can damage the foliage. The plant can be grown in full sun with careful monitoring, but the ideal spot will have partial shade. When in doubt, plants in the ground should have partial shade. Use slightly acidic, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.2. The Heart to Heart® 'Xplosion' requires consistently damp soil so water when the top layer of the soil feels moist. Keep the plant healthy and pushing out striking foliage by fertilizing once a month during the growing season. Potted Caladium plants will benefit from being fed every other week.

This plant does not require much pruning, and dead or damaged growth can be removed during the growing season or in the spring when new growth emerges. Bring the Caladium indoors, and the plant can overwinter as a houseplant. Select an inside spot with bright indirect light and high humidity. Water when the top layer of the soil is moist if the plant is actively growing. Let the top couple of inches of soil dry out if the plant is dormant.

Heart to Heart® 'Xplosion' Plant Spacing

The Heart to Heart® 'Xplosion' is a lush and leafy plant that will be 15 to 20 inches tall and cover an area of about 10 to 14 inches. Plants in the ground should be spaced 10 to 14 inches apart. Plant 1 to 2 Caladium in a 12-inch container.

SKU:

CALXP