Fancy Leaf Varieties Available
Large heart-shaped leaves. Height 18" to 22." Most prefer filtered shade or afternoon shade with morning sun. Varieties tolerant of sun all day are: Pink Explosion, Red Flash, and White Queen.
Reds
Florida Cardinal - red with green margins
Red Flash - dark red, has fuchsia spots, green margins and good sun tolerance
Postman Joyner - well-known dark red with green margins
Buck Rogers - bright red with green margins
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|  |  |
Florida Cardinal | Red Flash | Postman Joyner | Buck Rogers |
Pinks
Pink Illusion - green margin, center white with sprinkle of pink
Pink Explosion - pink leaves with red veins and green margins
Kathleen - red with green margins
Pink Mistress - pink
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| Pink Illusion | Pink Explosion | Kathleen | Pink Mistress |
Whites
Candidum - an old cultivar that is white with green veins
Grey Ghost - green margins with white veins
June Bride - white with green margin
White Queen - white with red veins, some sun tolerance, more red with shade
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| Candidum | Grey Ghost | June Bride | White Queen |
Strap Leaf Varieties Available
Leaves are heart-shaped like Fancy, but smaller. Height 15" to 17." The light requirements are similar to Fancy. Gingerland and Miss Muffet are unique speckled varieties.
Florida Sweetheart - mauve pink with green margins
Miss Muffet (dwarf) - Its leaves are green with white veins and red speckles. This variety has no sun tolerance.
Gingerland (dwarf) - white with red speckles and a green margin
Red Frill - red with green margin; excellent for hanging baskets
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| Florida Sweetheart | Miss Muffet | Gingerland | Red Frill |
Growing Instructions
Caladiums need protection from full sun for best growth and color. Some newer varieties will tolerate full sun for a couple of hours daily, but all prefer dappled or moderate shade. Caladiums require a warm, moist soil to grow. Planting in cool soil results in slow growth or tuber rot. A good rule of thumb in determining when to set out caladiums is to plant them when you plant okra seed in the vegetable garden. Soil temperature of 70 °F is preferred. Water frequently and thoroughly, keeping the soil evenly moist to touch but not saturated. Do not let caladiums sit in water if planted in a container. Fertilize caladiums regularly with a soluble fertilizer to promote strong foliage growth. You can grow caladiums from tubers yourself or buy already-started plants. Large tubers have more leaf buds than small tubers and, therefore, make larger and better displays.
Caladiums are a hot weather, summer bulb. The bulb will be damaged causing dwarfed leaves if the temperatures reaches below 60 degrees for a prolong period of time.
Each caladium tuber has a large central bud surrounded by several small buds. Most caladium varieties produce only a few colorful leaves if the large central bud is allowed to grow. Remove the central bud to allow the tuber to produce many more shoots and leaves. Use the tip of a sharp knife to lift out the large central bud, being careful not to injure any of the surrounding small buds.
Save caladium tubers for planting next year by digging the tubers in the fall before the leaves have lost all color. Spread them out and allow them to dry for a week. Cut or pull the dry foliage from the tubers and remove all dry soil, then pack in dry peat moss or vermiculite for storage. Pack tubers so they do not touch each other. Store them where the temperature will not drop below 50 °F.
