Nancy Engel
Family
Araceae
Botanical Name
Caladium
Plant Common Name
Angel Wings, Caladium, Fancy-leaved Caladium
General Description
Caladium is a tender tropical perennial plant grown from tubers. Native to South America, this plant is grown for its large, showy, colorful leaves that can be variegated in a variety of colors including green, red, rose, pink, white, silver and bronze.
As a rule, caladiums should be planted in partial sun to partial shade and fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Warm soil temperatures are essential as cool soil temperatures cause plants to stop growing and encourage rot. Fancy-leaved cultivars typically have heart-shaped leaves and should never be exposed to full sun. Strap-leaved cultivars have been bred to better handle intense full sun exposures if planted in moist soil.
Enjoy caladium as a bedding plant, in containers or used as a filler in mixed plantings. It may be grown in ground all year round in tropical climates but may go dormant during the winter or dry season. Elsewhere tubers should be dug when leaves dieback in the fall and stored indoors over winter.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 4
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
12"-30" / 30.5cm - 76.2cm
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Width
12"-20" / 30.5cm - 50.8cm
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Native To
South America
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
None
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Flower Color
White, Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
White, Red, Green, Pink, Rose, Bronze, Silver
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated, Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Summer)
White, Red, Green, Pink, Rose, Bronze, Silver
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated, Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Fall)
White, Red, Green, Pink, Rose, Bronze, Silver
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated, Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Winter)
White, Red, Green, Pink, Rose, Bronze, Silver
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
