Caladium is a tropical, tuberous foliage plant with heart-shaped leaves splashed in pink, red, white and green, and in Sydney it grows best from late spring through summer in a warm, sheltered, part-shaded spot. Plant the corms once the soil has warmed, and expect the leaves to die back in autumn and winter.
This guide covers caladiums in Australia, including pink, white and red types, how to plant caladium corms and how to look after them.
Key points
- Most caladiums reach about 30 to 60 cm tall and wide (indicative — check the plant label), making them ideal for pots, borders and shaded courtyards.
- They want warmth, filtered light and moist, rich, well-drained soil, and the corms rot in cold, wet ground.
- Maintenance is moderate: water regularly in summer, feed lightly and lift or rest the corms over winter.
- Watch-out: caladium is commonly listed as toxic to pets and irritating to skin, so wear gloves and keep animals away.
Caladium at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Caladium bicolor and hybrids |
| Plant type | Tropical tuberous perennial, dormant in cooler months |
| Mature size | About 30 to 60 cm tall and wide (indicative — check the plant label) |
| Sun | Part shade to filtered light; some newer types tolerate more sun |
| Soil | Rich, moist, well-drained and slightly acidic |
| Water | Regular in the growing season; reduce as the leaves die back |
| Frost tolerance | Very tender; corms rot in cold, wet soil |
| Flowering season | Insignificant spathes in summer; grown for foliage |
| Native? | No, it comes from tropical South America |
Caladium varieties: pink, white, red and blue
Hundreds of hybrids exist, and Australian nurseries usually stock a handful, often sold by colour. Check the label for the exact name.
| Variety or colour | Size | Best use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pink caladium (caladium pink) | About 30 to 50 cm (indicative — check the plant label) | Pots and borders | Soft pink leaves with green edges; popular as a gift plant |
| Pink Symphony caladium | About 30 to 45 cm (indicative — check the plant label) | Containers, shaded beds | Pink centre with deep green margin |
| Caladium Pink Splash | About 30 to 45 cm (indicative — check the plant label) | Feature pots | Pink-splashed leaves; availability varies |
| White caladium | About 30 to 50 cm (indicative — check the plant label) | Shaded courtyards | White leaves with green veins; lights up dark corners |
| Caladium red | About 30 to 60 cm (indicative — check the plant label) | Borders and massed planting | Red or crimson leaves; usually the most sun tolerant |
| Blue caladium plant | Varies (indicative — check the plant label) | Pots and indoor spots | No true blue caladium; check the botanical name, because blue-green foliage plants are often sold under this name |
Where to plant caladiums in Australia
- Pick a warm, sheltered position with morning sun and filtered afternoon shade, because direct western sun burns the leaves.
- Space corms about 20 to 30 cm apart (indicative — check the plant label) so the leaves overlap without crowding.
- Avoid cold, heavy clay in western Sydney unless you plant in raised beds or pots filled with free-draining potting mix.
- Coastal Northern Beaches gardens suit caladiums when sheltered from salt-laden wind by walls or larger shrubs.
- Grow them in pots on a verandah or under a pergola, where you can move them to a warm spot for winter.
- Keep pots and beds away from places pets and children can reach, because every part of the plant is commonly listed as toxic.
How to plant caladium corms
- Wait until spring is well advanced and the soil has warmed, usually from October, before you plant caladium corms.
- Wear gloves, and wash your hands after handling the corms and leaves.
- Prepare a rich, free-draining bed or pot with compost and a handful of coarse sand if your soil is heavy.
- Place each corm with the knobbly side facing up, about 5 cm below the surface (indicative — check the product instructions).
- Water in gently, then keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy until shoots appear.
- Water within Sydney Water’s Water Wise Guidelines, before 10 am or after 4 pm, and use a hand-held hose with an instant on-off trigger nozzle.
- Mulch lightly with organic mulch and keep it clear of the new shoots.
Caring for caladium
Caladiums reward warm, humid conditions, and a courtyard bed in the Inner West often stays warmer than an exposed garden through the cool nights of spring.
| Task | When | How |
|---|---|---|
| Watering | Late spring to autumn | Keep the soil evenly moist and never let pots sit in water; ease off as the leaves yellow in autumn. |
| Feeding | Spring to summer | Use a liquid or slow-release fertiliser registered for foliage plants and follow the label exactly. |
| Mulching | Late spring | Spread a thin layer of organic mulch to hold moisture and keep roots cool. |
| Deadheading and tidying | Summer | Remove any flower spathes and damaged leaves to keep energy in the corm. |
| Winter rest | Autumn to winter | Let the foliage die back, stop watering, then lift corms in cold areas or leave pots dry in a sheltered spot. |
| Pest and disease watch | Spring to autumn | Check for caterpillars, snails and fungal leaf spots; for infestations, see a pest controller. |
Storing and buying caladium corms and bulbs in Australia
Corms, often sold as caladium bulbs in Australia, are available from nurseries, Bunnings and online suppliers in spring.
- Choose firm, plump corms with no soft patches, mould or shrivelling, and avoid any that smell sour.
- Dry lifted corms in a shaded, airy spot for a few days, then brush off the soil gently.
- Store corms in dry sawdust, vermiculite or paper bags somewhere cool and dark until spring.
- Label each bag by colour, such as pink, white or red, so you can plan your planting.
- Divide large corms in spring and let cut surfaces dry before planting to reduce rot.
- Throw out soft, mouldy or damaged corms in your green waste bin and wash your hands afterwards.
Common caladium problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering, cold nights or natural dormancy | Check drainage and temperature; let the plant rest in autumn. |
| Brown, crispy leaf edges | Direct sun or dry air | Move to filtered light and water regularly. |
| Corm fails to shoot | Cold soil or rot | Plant after the soil warms and use free-draining mix. |
| Faded leaf colour | Too much shade or too much fertiliser | Give brighter filtered light and reduce feeding. |
| Holes in leaves | Snails or caterpillars | Remove by hand; for infestations, see a pest controller. |
| Leggy growth | Low light | Move to a brighter, warm spot. |
FAQ: caladium questions
When should you plant caladium corms in Sydney?
Plant caladium corms from October, once the soil has warmed and nights are mild. Cold soil makes corms rot. Pots on a warm verandah can start slightly earlier. Water lightly until the shoots appear, then increase watering as the leaves grow.
Is there a blue caladium?
There is no true blue caladium. Plants sold as blue caladium are usually other foliage plants with silvery or blue-green leaves. Check the botanical name on the label before you buy, and treat any plant you are unsure about as potentially toxic to pets.
Are caladiums toxic to pets?
Caladium is commonly listed as toxic to dogs and cats, and owners report mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting after chewing it. Keep pets away from the plant. If your pet eats any, contact your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline.
Can you grow pink, white and red caladium in pots?
Yes. Pink, white and red caladium all grow well in pots with free-draining potting mix, warm temperatures and filtered light. Pots let you move plants to shelter in winter, and make it easier to keep them away from pets and children.
Next step: keep your shaded garden beds looking sharp
If you would rather hand over bed preparation, mulching and tidy-ups, we can help. Sydney gardeners typically charge about $52 to $115 per hour (October 2026), and a half-day garden clean-up costs about $170 to $460. Read our types of flower overview for more plant ideas, or request a garden maintenance quote.
