Caladiums are known for their vibrantly colored leaves that can brighten up any shady spot in the garden. But did you know that some caladium varieties can actually tolerate full sun? It’s true! With the right care and preparation, caladiums can thrive with 6+ hours of direct sunlight.
In this article, we’ll explore how much sun caladiums need, which varieties grow best in full sun versus shade and tips for helping caladiums thrive in sunnier spots. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or planting caladiums for the first time, read on to learn how much sunshine these colorful plants really need.
An Overview of Caladium Sun Requirements
Most types of caladiums grow best with 4-6 hours of filtered sunlight per day. This is considered “part shade” and allows the leaves to develop their signature vibrant colors without getting scorched. Variegated caladiums with white markings especially need protection from intense midday sun to prevent burn.
So part shade is generally the sweet spot for caladiums. But that doesn’t mean all caladiums require shade. Thanks to innovative breeding, more varieties today can withstand 6+ hours of direct sun without fading or wilting. These “sun-loving” caladiums open up new possibilities for using these tropical plants in sunny flower beds, containers, and borders.
On the other end of the spectrum, some caladium varieties tolerate less than 4 hours of sun per day. These “full shade” caladiums do best in heavily shaded areas under trees or on the north side of buildings. Filtered sunlight from hanging baskets or sheer curtains is also suitable.
- Most caladiums need 4-6 hours of filtered sun per day (part shade)
- Some varieties tolerate 6+ hours of direct sun (full sun)
- Other varieties need less than 4 hours of sun (full shade)
Always check the sun requirements for specific caladium varieties before planting. This will set your caladiums up for success!
Best Caladium Varieties for Full Sun
Here are some top caladium varieties that can thrive with 6+ hours of direct sunlight:
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Heart to Heart ‘White Wonder’: This strap leaf variety has striking white centers and green borders. The leaves resist fading and scorching, even in hot climates.
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Heart to Heart ‘Red Flash’: Large cherry red leaves with bright red veins stand out against the deep green borders. The color stays rich in full sun.
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Heart to Heart ‘Rose Glow’: Rosy pink centers blushed with red make a vibrant statement. The mid-green border provides contrast.
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Heart to Heart ‘Scarlet Flame’: fiery red leaves with scarlet red veins hold their intense color in sunny conditions. A real sun-lover!
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Heart to Heart ‘Heart’s Delight’: Cherry red centers pop against the kelly green margins on these big leaves. Holds up beautifully in full sun landscapes.
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Florida Sweetheart: This tropical-looking strap leaf caladium stays vivid in the sun. Pink veins radiate from red centers.
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Florida Red Ruffles: Ruffled leaves maintain their scarlet-red color even in hot, humid climates. A bold choice for sunny containers.
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Pink Splash: Bright pink splotches decorate the green leaves. This variety maintains its cheerful coloring with over 6 hours of sun.
So when shopping for caladiums destined for full sunlight, look for these heat-tolerant varieties with superior sun resistance. Check the plant tag or product description to confirm the variety thrives in sun before purchasing.
Caring for Caladiums in Full Sun
Sun-loving caladiums need a little extra care to look their best while soaking up the sunshine all day. Here are some tips for growing caladiums in full sun:
Give them rich soil: Enrich the soil with extra compost or organic material before planting caladium tubers or transplants. This provides nutrients to fuel growth and vibrant leaves.
Don’t let them dry out: Check soil moisture frequently and water whenever the top few inches become dry. Consider using mulch to retain moisture. Letting caladiums wilt in the hot sun can damage leaves.
Provide wind protection: Shield caladiums from harsh winds, which can dry out leaves. Plant them in a sheltered spot or use trellises, fences, or other plants as windbreaks.
Use shade cloth if needed: In zones 8-10 or other extremely hot climates, provide respite from the afternoon sun with shade cloth. Filtering the harshest light keeps leaves looking their best.
Fertilize regularly: Feed container-grown caladiums weekly with a balanced liquid fertilizer. In ground plantings benefit from a time-release fertilizer applied at planting time. Fertilizing replaces nutrients that leach out with frequent watering.
With a little TLC, caladiums can add striking color to sunny flower beds, borders, patios, and more. Proper variety selection and care tips help them thrive under 6+ hours of direct sun.
Best Caladiums for Full Shade
On the other end of the light spectrum, these caladium varieties thrive in heavily shaded gardens and gardens:
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Miss Muffet: One of the most shade-tolerant with white leaves and pink spots. The delicate-looking foliage prefers less than 4 hours of sun.
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White Christmas: Bright white leaves with slender green veins. This variety maintains its pristine coloring in deep shade.
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Red Flash: Despite its name, this caladium needs shade to prevent leaf burn. Green spear-shaped leaves have red veins.
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Tapestry: Bold white and pink variegation covers the leaves. Shade protects the white portions from scorching.
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White Queen: Broad white leaves with green margins make a striking statement in shady borders or containers. Protect from direct sun.
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Candidum Junior: Dainty white leaves with ruffled edges add charm to shady nooks. Shelter from sun to prevent fading.
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Pink Cloud: Soft pink leaves blushed with red prefer filtered shade. The color intensifies in lower light conditions.
Before planting these caladiums, scout for areas that receive less than 4 hours of direct sun per day. Beneath trees and shrubs or on the north side of structures are ideal shady spots. With protection from intense sun, these caladiums will thrive.
Caring for Caladiums in the Shade
To grow vibrant caladiums in shade, remember these care tips:
Provide ample moisture: Check soil moisture daily and water whenever the top inch becomes dry. Caladiums planted in shade often need more frequent watering.
Use shade-loving companions: Plant caladiums alongside other shade-preferring plants like ferns, impatiens, begonias, and coral bells. These mixes look great together.
Add organic matter: Mix compost or leaf mold into the soil before planting to enrich shady beds. Caladiums appreciate the added nutrients.
Use shade cloth if needed: In hot climates, shade cloth can filter the sunlight reaching caladiums planted under trees or shrubs. This prevents leaf burn.
Trim back encroaching plants: Keep nearby trees, shrubs, and perennials trimmed back so they don’t overtake shade-loving caladiums.
With the right variety selection, caladiums can bring their vibrant style to both sun-splashed and deeply shaded garden spaces. Always check plant tags for the recommended light conditions and care for caladiums accordingly. A little planning helps these tropical bulbs thrive anywhere from full sun to full shade.
Frequently Asked Questions about Caladium Sun Needs
Here are answers to some common questions about how much sunlight caladiums need:
Can you plant caladium bulbs in full sun?
Yes, as long as you select a sun-tolerant variety labeled for full sun or partial sun conditions. Avoid planting shade-loving varieties in spots with more than 6 hours of direct sun.
Do caladiums need full sun all day?
Most caladiums do best with 4-6 hours of morning or dappled sun and shade in the hot afternoon. But varieties bred for full sun tolerance can take 6+ hours of direct sun, especially if given adequate water.
How many hours of sun is too much for caladiums?
More than 6 hours of hot, direct sun can scorch the leaves of caladiums not bred for full sun tolerance. Variegated varieties with white markings are especially prone to leaf burn.
Can you put caladiums in full sun?
Choose sun-loving caladium varieties and acclimate the plants gradually if moving from shade to sun. Provide ample moisture and wind protection. With care, many caladiums can flourish in full sun.
Where should I plant caladium bulbs?
Plant shade-loving caladiums under trees or shrubs. For partial sun, choose dappled morning sun or bright indirect light. Sun-tolerant varieties can be planted in flower beds, raised planters, and containers in full sun.
How much sunlight do caladiums need indoors?
As houseplants, caladiums need a bright location with 4-6 hours of sunlight from an east, west, or lightly shaded south window. Rotate the plants periodically so all sides get light. Avoid hot, direct midday sun indoors.
Understanding how much sun caladiums need helps you provide the perfect growing conditions for these colorful foliage plants. With the right balance of sunlight and care, caladiums can enhance both sunny and shaded areas in your home and garden.
The right caladiums can thrive in full sun
This past few years, many plants that used to only grow in shady places have moved out into the sun, which is great for gardeners everywhere. Sunpatiens were my first experience with these now sun lovers.
Then, these plants were closely followed by sun coleus. Putting Sunpatiens and coleuses in full sun has killed a lot of them, but we’ve learned a lot and are now used to growing them that way.
Another plant that is taking the sunny side of the garden by storm is the caladium. I have always loved the way caladiums look when planted in the shade. The brightly colored foliage seems to brighten any dark spot in the garden. And my first exposure to caladiums grown in the sun was not very encouraging. What should have been bright, patterned foliage was only faded and bleached-out leaves. I was going to stick to growing caladiums in the shade.
But now comes along an improvement in breeding with caladiums that stand up to the hot Mississippi sun. Because most of our caladiums come from Florida, it makes sense that they can handle full sun. This new ability opens up a lot of garden and landscape options for colorful foliage.
And let’s face it: We grow caladiums for their color. There are thousands of named selections, and I’m sure someone knows them all. I know a few, but I like to grow caladiums based on color and the way they look together, no matter what their names are. Here’s a couple of named selections I’m including because they are popular choices at the garden center.
The Painted Frog Series is gorgeous. The poison dart tree frog’s leaves are dark green with red spots and shine when they’re in bright light. Red Bellied Tree Frog has lava-red, heart-shaped leaves framed with dark-green rims. Tie-Dyed Tree Frog has dark-green leaves accented by a red mid-vein and mottled with lime-green and yellow variegation. Small, pink and white spots pepper each leaf, making them look like splattered paint.
The main veins of Carolyn Wharton are a bright crimson color, and the inside of the leaf is pink with green spots here and there. The bright red centers, scarlet red veins, and pink spots inside the green border of Red Flash caladium leaves make them stand out.
An exciting selection is Stardust. This caladium has a bright white burst in the center and white veins. A suspended swirling galaxy of pure white spots certainly lights up the dark-green leaves. This unusual beauty adds interest in mass plantings.
Caladium foliage is also very distinctive. The midribs on the leaves add streaks and flashes of color that often stand out against the rest of the foliage. Foliage colors include reds, pinks, whites and greens — all in various shades and combinations. Most foliage is heart-shaped with long petioles and is considered fancy leaved. Caladiums can reach heights of up to 30 inches.
Caladiums don’t do well in cold weather, so they should only be grown once a year unless you live on the coast of Mississippi, where winters are milder. But gardeners in Mississippi can save the tubers and replant them next year. This is an easy task for caladiums grown in containers. Be sure to dig the tubers in the fall when the soil temperatures go below 60 degrees. Lightly brush the soil off and remove any foliage. Pack them in dry peat moss and store dry at about 60 degrees. Be sure to label and sort by cultivar.