Neighborhood Heart-Throbs: Number 1, Caladiums.

Let’s talk about Caladium plants! These are fun, heart-shaped, equatorial plants that easily adapt to your home garden. Looking for new garden ideas? This blog will go over various types of Caladium and how to plant, fertilize, and care for these dazzling water plantains.

If you’re for a splash of color in your gloomy, shaded garden areas, Caladiums are the right choice for you! Caladiums will carry their vibrant coloring in your outdoor gardens from June until the cold blows in. 

Worried that annuals are a waste of your budget? Worry no more! Keep reading and see how to store your new favorite plant babies and brighten up your yard for years to come.

The Two Major Caladium leaf types: 

Fancy-leaf: These Caladiums usually have large heart-shaped leaves. They can grow over a foot long.

Strap-leaf: These generally have a spear-shaped look to them because of the narrower arrow. Because of this, these Caladium types tend to deal with colder temperatures better.

Curating Caladiums: Find Your Match!

Do you consider yourself to be a fiery person? Are you passionate, creative, and bold? Well, then, the red-leaved Caladium varieties are the ones for you. Looking for some extra color in your garden plot? Add some bright begonias into the mix to really make the section pop.

Or maybe you’re the calm water energy, going with the flow. Would we catch you whispering to the wind with a good book in your hand? These green and white varieties are for you. Want to add some sweet, subtle plant friends here? Try mixing these with Hostas, which come in a variety of similar colors. 

Planters and Landscaping Containers: You don’t need a big, fancy lawn to keep Caladiums happy. They are perfectly happy in shady spots on your patio and can add some pizzazz to your basic containers. Caladiums usually grow anywhere from 12-18” and are ready to “fill in” for your plant-sterpiece. 

Window Boxes: It’s important to note that if you’re adding these to a window box (which we encourage), these precious planties need to have their window box home on the northside of your house. This will save them the stress of afternoon sunshine. If you’re having trouble finding North, your smartphone should have a compass built in.

Best plant practice for your Caladiums in window boxes is to have a drip irrigation system. Set a timer to water early in the morning during hot months for 15 minutes at a time. Some flora friends that would love this same care include Creeping Charlie, Creeping Jenny, Sweet Potato Vine, and Vinca. Add in some moss for moisture-retention.

Mailboxes: Is your mailbox in a particularly shady spot? Could it use a little boost? Plant some Caladiums by the base and add some Chartreuse Sweet Potato Vine to make sure your USPS delivery person never ignores, but rather adores bringing you mail.

Caladium Garden Beds by Region: If you’re living in a Southern state, your Caladium friends need full or dappled shade to protect these playful plantains from 11am to sunset. That means soft morning sun only.

If you’re settled in the Northern states, your Caladiums can take a little more direct sunlight, but please keep them sheltered from that afternoon sun. Otherwise, these sweeties will end up singed. 

No matter which state you’re in (unless it’s all desert), planting caladiums can work as a groundcover or border for your garden. This keeps your garden looking fresh and welcoming and also cuts down on hours of weeding.

Did you read weeding as wedding? Well, perfect, because Caladiums are great for that too! Mix in Begonias, Hostas, and Impatiens to create your ideal garden wedding backdrop.

Caladiums in the House: Do you love showing off your garden indoors? Caladium leaf cuts add the heart you’re looking for to each indoor vase or bouquet bundle for a friend. 

Or perhaps, you prefer not knowing if you’re inside or outside. Caladiums can help! These plants are happy to camp inside the house in warm (like humid warm) rooms,such as bathrooms or sunrooms. Beware significant temperature changes though. These plants prefer things smooth and steady.

The What, When, Where, and How of Growing Caladium

When’s Best to Plant Caladiums outside?

Well, first, let’s start off with planting caladium bulbs inside, around 6 weeks before the last frost. In individual pots, place these bulbs about 1” deep in damp peat moss or vermiculite. If you’re starting these in a flat, please space them 3” apart. They will need lots of water and warmth for these first 6 weeks. 

Now, as they grow up from being baby bulbs, we can plant them outside when the nights are consistently warm (no, not just one warm night), meaning soil temperature is around 65-70°F. This should be at least a few weeks after the last frost date. For example, in the Pacific NW, this likely won’t be until mid-June.

Where is the Light Best for Caladiums?

Minimal direct sunlight is best for these babies. Giving them at least 4 hours of filtered bright light from any direction except North should be ideal. Beware of overbearing sunlight, or you’ll have Caladium crisp. 

How Do You Plant Caladiums in Garden Beds?

If you’re planting Caladiums in your garden beds, you should place tubers smooth-side down about 2-3” deep. Once the tubers are in, cover with 1-2” of soil. The tubers themselves can be planted in individual holes or a large trench area.

Caladiums, like many plants, thrive in fertile, well-drained soil. If you want, you can add compost or topsoil when planting to add some extra lushness.

Please Note: If your garden bed is the home of standing water, do not plant your Caladiums here! They will not be successful and you will have wasted your precious time and money.

What About Fertilizer?

Sometimes, sure! While Caladiums are growing, they would love some liquid fertilizer once a month. However, afterwards, they really don’t need it. In fact, if you use too much, it may burn their leaves.

Trying to Make These Annuals Last? Garden Girl’s Got Your Back.

Want to make life easier on yourself? Wondering when we were going to talk about how to save and store these beauties? Wait no longer! It’s time for our pro-tip to make a quick season flip.

Planting Caladiums in containers makes it easy to pull them out when the summer season is over. This way, you can transfer them to your containers and pots indoors and keep your fresh, vibrant Caladiums all year round.


Watch out for Winter!

Remember, Caladiums are clement creatures, and they are not built for harsh winter weather…or really most winter weathers. Unless you’re in states closer to the equator (looking at you zones 9-11), Caladiums will not survive the colder seasons. 

Unsure? If you’re putting a jacket on, Caladiums will want one too, anddd they’re pretty sure they left their jacket inside, by the heater. 

If you’re trying out our year-round pro-tip above, make sure to dig up those tubers before the temperature gets any lower than 55ºF. Oh! And best to leave a little bit behind, so you can remember what is what. 

Once you’ve dug and pulled these tubers up, spread the plants out in a space protected from the elements. Let them dry here for at least a week, trim the foliage, and keep similar types together. Grab some mesh bags or softly pack the tubers in dry peat moss. Keep them somewhere cool and dark, but not cold! These tuber-babies need to be kept at above 60ºF.

Is the Coast Clear? Spring is Here.

Totally Tubuler! The sun is back, and your Caladium tubers are ready to show off again. Bring them out of hibernation and cut each tuber into smaller pieces. Each of these should have an “eye,” or knob where new growth can begin. Let these cuts dry for a day, and then you’re ready to plant again!