This South American native is grown for it lovely foliage, in fact, it can’t be beat for constant color in the warm season landscapes of north Texas. With mankinds manipulations, many cultivars have been created from this rainforest native. Louis Van Houtte and Alfred Blue were the first to breed caladiums in the 1860’s. Their most notable variety, well known still today is ‘Candidum’. In the late 1930’s a Florida postman by the name of F. M. Joyner set to work and created such well known varieties as ‘Aaron’, ‘White Queen’, ‘Kathleen’, and ‘Postman Joyner’.

Extensive breeding programs have produced many more varieties, each exhibiting a unique range of colors, patterns and leaf shapes. Some of the favorites for north Texas are:

• Aaron- Fancy Leaf solid white with green edge. Has sun tolerance.
• Candidum- Fancy Leaf white with green veins.
• Carolyn Whorton – Fancy Leaf pink with red veins, green background
• Postman Joyner – Fancy Leaf red with green border
• Florida Sweetheart- Strap Leaf pink with dark rose veins and green edge.

Caladiums are divided into two basic groups, the large heart shaped Fancy Leafed group and the narrow more lance shaped Strap Leaf group. Generally speaking, the large Fancy Leaf varieties need a shady location and range from 10-30 inches tall and the smaller Strap Leaf varieties do well in a sunny or shady location and are less that 18 inches tall . The thicker the leaf , the tougher and and more heat tolerant.

Some folks further divide the caladiums into a third category, the Dwarfs. These caladiums have heart shaped leaves and only attain heights below 15 inches. Examples of Dwarfs would be Miss Muffet, Gingerland and Candidum Jr.

They can be planted in shade , some north Texas gardeners have successfully used Gingerland in situations with more sun. Keep in mind when planting caladiums in sunny locations it is important to keep them well watered. Never let them wilt due to lack of water. They will never recover.

Caladiums like warm humid conditions with rich moist well drained soil. In north Texas wait to plant the tubers or the already sprouted tubers from the nursery when soil temps warm to 70 degrees, which is usually around the first of May.

As with many Aroids, caladiums and their tubers contain crystals of oxalic acid which makes them distasteful to certain foragers. Because of this, gardeners and landscapers have successfully used caladiums in areas where deer and rabbits eat the landscape plants and annual color ( not always guaranteed do deter a really hungry animal).

Caladiums will always be a popular choice in north Texas gardens. They are easy to grow, offer long lasting warm season color and there is a large selection from which to choose.