Uses for Fancy-Leafed Caladium

Lighting Dark Corners

• With light-colored caladium cultivars, you never have to worry about the lack of color in your shade garden again. White and silver caladiums reflect any light available and brighten up dark corners, such as under trees and along the north side of your house. Choose from "Florida Moonlight," with mostly white leaves and thin, green veins and edges, or "Florida Blizzard," with white splotches, white veins and thick, green edging.

Massing for Dramatic Effect

• Massing caladiums together heightens their dramatic, colorful effect around a tree or bench, in a garden border or as edging for a garden bed. "Florida Sweetheart," with a pale pink background, deep rose-colored veins and green edging, grows in either sun or shade. "Rosebud" is equally stunning for shade only, with a star-burst of hot pink surrounded by speckles of silver and a green border.

In Containers

• The most effective containers include fillers, plants that fill the space; spillers, plants that drape over the edges of the container; and thrillers, plants that take your breath away either with height or interesting foliage or flowers. Beautiful caladiums fall into the third category, growing 2 to 4 feet tall with leaves ranging from 6 to 14 inches long. Use them in pots on your deck or patio, by a shaded front door or in shady window boxes.

Indoor Flower Arrangements

• Use potted caladiums or bouquets with cut caladium leaves for summer tropical party decor, setting the pots here and there and combining bright leaves with other tropical flowers for a lush centerpiece. For winter holiday centerpieces or small holiday gifts, choose caladiums with red, green and white leaves. Caladium leaves last for three to four days in cut flower arrangements.

Growing Caladium

• Caladiums thrive in well-draining, rich soil that is slightly acidic. They need water two or three times a week during the growing season. In USDA zones 8 and below, during the dormant winter, either bring potted plants indoors and cut back on watering completely or dig up the tubers and store them in a cool basement or garage where the temperature stays between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.