 Caladiums
The Fancy Leafed Plants
BY RANDY ROGERS
In 1872, English plant enthusiast, collector
and writer Edward Joseph Lowe created
Beautiful Leaved Plants: The Most Beautiful
Leaved Plants in Cultivation in this Country.
The book describes, botanically, and with amazing
colored drawings and poetry, the most collectible
plants of Lowe’s time.
Caladiums were one of the featured beautifully
leafed plants in his book, and they remain
today as much loved and even more widely utilized,
thanks to the amazing ability of Florida
growers to reproduce them through tissue culture.
Generally considered a “shade-loving summer
seasonal color plant,” the tuberous bulbs actually
vary widely in their use in today’s landscape in
South Texas. Some of the heart-shaped leaves
have been selected for use in full sun. The varieties
which like the sun, but that can also thrive in
the shade, are called strap-leafed caladiums. They
are more prostrate in form than their “shade-only
cousins,” who generally stand upright from 9 to
18 inches high.
Most South Texas gardeners are spurred to
purchase, from nurseries, caladiums in 4- to 6-inch
pots; beautiful leaves enticingly displaying amazing
colors. But don’t be fooled: In-the-knowgardeners
select the larger tubers for their size and
quality in order to have a more successful and
long-lasting summer display. Bulbs are rated in size
from the largest, mammoth and jumbo, No. 1,
and the smallest tubers, No. 2.
 Unfortunately, many growers select No. 1 and No. 2 bulbs to produce
the containerized caladiums many gardeners purchase in nurseries
throughout South Texas. The larger bulbs, when properly planted, produce
plants with larger, fuller and more profuse leaves, which seem to
withstand the long hot summers much better than the smaller tubers.
Select bulbs which are firm, not bruised and preferably fresh from field
collection. Store the tubers in a cool (60 to 70 degree) dry location, out
of the sunlight, until the nighttime temperature reaches a consistent 70
degrees (generally late April to early May). If the bulbs are stored for an
extended period, make sure to provide adequate ventilation.
When planting the bulbs, prepare a hole of proportionate size to
the bulb (generally two inches larger all around) and mix in a generous
portion of peat moss or water retaining soils to give the tuberous
package a great start. Recent gardening innovations using polymer
beads to absorb moisture and feed it back into the soil when
needed can also be used to extend the life of your caladiums
throughout the hot summer.
Caladiums vary in color from white (with interesting green veins) to
crispy green with orchid splotches to beautiful reds and pinks. All caladiums
love to be kept moist, so the use of the fancy leaves for container
gardening or hanging gardens is an obvious choice.
Large-leafed caladiums provide a beautiful backdrop for impatiens,
begonias or other seasonal flowering plants, and the strap-leafed varieties
can become a wonderful border for sun-loving flowering plants
such as pentae, begonia and periwinkle.
For those of you living with deer, caladiums are listed on most deer-resistant
plant lists.
 Secrets for successful caladium propogation
• Select mammoth or jumbo bulbs from a reputable nursery
or supplier.
• Properly store the bulbs.
• Plant in a timely manner to allow the bulb to mature before
the heat is too intense.
• If selecting potted caladiums, inquire as to the size of the
bulbs used in production.
• Provide regular and adequate moisture.
• Take time this summer to enjoy the beauty of these
incredible fancy-leafed plants.
Top south shade-loving caladium varieties
• Candidum and Candidum Jr. – Pure white with intense
green veins.
• Aaron – Deep green with a burst of pure white in the center.
• Fire Chief – Mixed veins of deep red and pink with a
border of fresh spring green.
• Freida Hemple – Rich red center with forest green border.
• Carolyn Wharton – Festive splotches of green and pink
with showy red veins.
• White Queen – Snowy white leaf with outrageous red
center veins giving way to many striking green veins around
the outside of the leaf.
• Miss Muffet – Great medium-sized, heart-shaped leaves
with apple green coloring and splotches of pink and orchid – loves shade or will handle a good amount of sun.
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