Caladium
Caladium bicolor
Traits
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 20, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Caladium
Caladiums (Caladium bicolor) are tropical South American perennials grown for their spectacular heart-shaped or strap-shaped leaves patterned in combinations of white, pink, red, and green. They grow from underground tubers and thrive in shaded and partially shaded settings. Widely used in beds, borders, and containers for bold tropical foliage color. Starting at $7.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Non-flowering
- Flower Color
- Non-flowering
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Active growing season.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Grow in partial shade with 2–4 hours of direct sun, ideally morning light; avoid afternoon sun in NE Florida, which bleaches and scorches leaves. Sun-tolerant cultivars (e.g., UF-bred 'Dots Delight') can handle brighter exposures.
Keep soil evenly moist — caladiums prefer consistent moisture but not waterlogged conditions. Mulch beds to retain moisture during NE Florida's dry spring. Tubers can stay in the ground through winter in zone 9b but perform best if dug and stored above 60°F in wet winters.
Plant in rich, moist, well-draining soil amended with compost. Fertilize monthly with a balanced slow-release fertilizer during the growing season (April–September). Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which shifts leaf color toward green and reduces the ornamental effect.
Similar needs
Blue Mistflower
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Cat Whiskers
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Purple Coneflower
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Foxglove
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Camellia
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Cuphea
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
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Common questions
Is Caladium a good plant for St. Augustine?
Caladium is a perennial for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with low salt tolerance, reaching 12-24 inches × 12-18 inches (varies by variety).
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.