Caladium

Charismatic, Cheerful Caladiums!

Caladiums, with a huge array of leaf colors, are great fillers for the landscape, equally at home and useful in beds, containers, and hanging baskets, especially as these can be maintained as somewhat acidic, moist but well drained planting areas.

Technically a bulb used mostly as warm season annuals in Austin, they can be lifted and brought indoors during winter and replanted in the spring. However, it’s much easier – and certainly more fun – to get new ones to match this season’s mood!

These uniquely colored leafy plants, native to tropical rainforests, debuted in 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair. Recent years have brought an abundance of strong genetics and new varieties with some even thriving in Austin’s sunny clime.

There are 2 types to choose from. Fancy-leaved which are heart or semi heart shaped and taller and Strap-leaved with narrow leaves on shorter stems. It’s not always easy to tell the two apart, though, so reading the label for growing tips is recommended.

Fun Fact: Caladium is National Garden Bureau’s 2025 Bulb of the year.

Carried at Leaf:

Fancy Leaf for Shade

Berries n’ Burgundy
Bombshell
Candidum Jr.
Celebration
Carolyn Whorton
Freid Hemple
Moonlight
Party Punch
Pink Illusion
Postman Joyner
Red Flash
Sunset Pink
White Christmas
White Queen

Strap Leaf for Sun

Desert Sunset
Florida Sweetheart
Miss Muffet
Red Ruffles
Rosemary
Sangria
White Delight
White Pearl
White Wing