Name:  Caladium

Type of Plant:  A tropical plant that’s grown as an annual in northern gardens.

Why I Love/Hate this plant: Heart shaped leaves, a variety of foliage colors from white to red and green, thrives in deep shade…what’s not to love?  This plant brings color to shade gardens, whether planted in the ground or in containers.

A Word to the Wise: Caladiums love HEAT. Don’t plant the bulbs too early on Cape Cod as the soil is too cold. Similarly, you won’t find this plant in the garden centers early in May since the growers also wait for the warmer temperatures to start it. Buy plants in June, and plant bulbs around that time as well unless you’re starting on heat mats inside.

I use Caladium in shade containers every summer. Some are white and green, others pink and green…all fresh and colorful and lovely! They are perfect companions with begonias, as you see in the central pot on this bench.

A second year with begonias and caladium love.

Plant Caladiums in the garden or containers after it gets warm.