Caladiums are tropical plants with heart-shaped, 6 to 12 inch leaves. Within the genus Caladium , there are more than 1000 cultivars that offer foliage colors in red, salmon, rose, white, or green with many variegated combinations. Although it rarely flowers, is sometimes produces a spadix surrounded by a yellow-green spathe. Caladiums prefer a rich soil, constant moisture, and shade and are grown mostly for their interesting foliage display. Caladiums will perform well in garden borders and containers. You should fertilize them once a month with 8-8-8 (2 lbs per 100 feet). Note that caladiums do not overwinter in North Carolina sustaining damage at temperatures below 45 °F, but you can dig up the tubers in the fall, store them in a dry location at 70 to 75 °F, and replant in the spring after the last chance of frost and the soil has warmed. You should plant them 8 to 12 inches apart and covered with at least an inch of soil. Most Caladium cultivars are adapted to full shade, but some selections tolerate partial sun or early morning sunlight. However, full sun generally reduces the intensity of the foliage color of most cultivars. Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is toxic if eaten in large quantities. Leaves are fragile and can be damaged by wind or hail. Slugs and snails may chew holes in the foliage.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green; Pink; Red/Burgundy; Variegated; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Heart-shaped, 6 to 12 inch leaves in red, salmon, rose, white, or green with many variegated combination depending on cultivar.
Flower color
Green; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Spadix
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Rarely flowers, but can produce a spadix surrounded by a yellow-green spathe.
Bloom time
Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Central and Northern South America
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Landscape theme
Shade Garden
Design feature
Accent
Garden tags
#not hardy #tuberous #summer bulbs #poisonous #summer flowers #pink flowers #problem for children #problem for dogs #problem for cats #problem for horses #spadix #shade garden #annual #variegated
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Heavy Shade
Propagation
Division
Poison severity
Medium
Poison parts
Flowers; Leaves; Sap/Juice
Poison symptoms
This plant can cause severe pain around the mouth, including burning and swelling of the lips and tongue. Ingestion of large quantities can also cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact with cell sap can cause minor skin irritation that may last several minutes. Ingestion by livestock or pets may cause death.
Toxic principle
Calcium oxalate crystals and unidentified compounds.
Contact dermatitis
Yes
Toxicity summary
Medium severity poison; parts: Flowers; Leaves; Sap/Juice; contact dermatitis