Last updated on June 14th, 2023 at 07:48 am
The world of caladium varieties is filled with a dazzling array of colors, patterns, and shapes. But for those seeking something truly unique and who don’t mind spending more hours exploring, these rare caladium plants are created for you! Here we gather up 10 rare caladium varieties to add to your bucket list.
Table of Contents
10 Rare Caladium Plants That Are Challenging To Find
Spring Fling
Plant Height: 15 to 18 inches (38 to 45 centimeters)
This rare caladium variety features bright pink foliage with deep dark green veins that look almost black. Spring Fling produces thin foliage, making it possible to see the sunshine through their delicate leaves. They tolerate sun and partial shade and love it the most when their soil is kept moist.
Pink Cloud
Plant Height: 14 to 15 inches (35 to 38 centimeters)
Pink Cloud features heart-shaped foliage with a color mix of pale pink, white veins, and dark green edges. They grow best in fertile soil with an extra addition of high organic matter such as manure and moss. The compact size of Pink Cloud makes them perfect to be grown indoors. This variety loves a regular misting routine to keep its gorgeous foliage moist without being soggy.
Tie Dye
Plant Height: 22 to 24 inches (55 to 60 centimeters)
The focal point of this rare caladium variety is located in its color and pattern. Tie Dye features lime green foliage that is splashed with darker green blotches, making it as if someone purposely dyeing them! This one does not produce a pink color, and if you’re more fond of green, this one is definitely for you. Tie Dye prefers being in partial shade.
Cherry Tart
Plant Height: 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters)
This variegated plant lives up to its name. Cherry Tart features cherry red and magenta foliage that blends well with their dark green edges. The foliage shape of this plant is shaped like an arrowhead, but more roundish than the usual caladium. As attractive as their foliage, Cherry Tart produces dark burgundy stems that match their foliage. This plant needs a daily supply of direct sun for a maximum of two hours.
Puppy Love
Plant Height: 14 to 18 inches (35 to 45 centimeters)
This rare caladium variety would bring you joy, as generous as a puppy’s love. Puppy Love variety wows with its heart-shaped foliage adorn with bright pink color, pinkish-red prominent veins, and dark green edges. They tolerate full and partial shade. Feed Puppy Love with well-balanced fertilizers during their growing season to promote healthy and lush foliage.
Moonlight or Ghost
Plant Height: 14 to 18 inches (35 to 45 centimeters)
Ghosts might be terrifying for some, but you can’t say the same for this rare caladium cultivar. This stunning caladium features white foliage with white veins and thin, dark green edges. The white color of Moonlight, also known as Ghost Caladium, takes up nearly 90% of this plant. They tolerate the full sun but prefer being in shady areas. Moonlight performs best in an environment with high humidity.
Gingerland
Plant Height: 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters)
This exotic caladium variety stuns with ruffled, heart-shaped foliage that comes in a white base, dark green edges, and patches of deep dark brown or purple color. They perform best in shady areas as the full sun might be too harsh for their delicate foliage. Gingerland is not a fan of wet soil, so you need to make sure to provide them with well-draining soil that still holds moisture.
White Wings
Plant Height: 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters)
Although grown at the same approximate height as Gingerland, this rare caladium variety tolerates both partial shade and sunny areas. White Wings features ruffled, heart-shaped foliage with a color of white and dark green edges. The veins of this plant are not prominent as they also grow in white. Slightly acidic to neutral is the recommended soil pH for White Wings, that is ranging between 5.5 to 6.5.
Chinook
Plant Height: 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters)
Another rare caladium variety, Chinook dazzles with salmon pink, magenta veins, and dark green edges that imprint beautifully in their ruffled, heart-shaped foliage. They do well in sunny or partial shade and love warm temperatures with high humidity. The minimum temperature for this plant needs to be set at 55ºF (12ºC). The warmer, the better!
Royal Flush
Plant Height: 24 to 30 inches (60 to 76 centimeters)
The last rare caladium variety you should thrive in your garden is Royal Flush. This eye-catching plant displays wing-shaped foliage with a color of reddish pink, magenta veins, and dark green edges. They do best in partial and sunny areas and make spectacular container plants. To add, Royal Flush is also a fan of warm temperatures.
What is the Difference Between Sun-tolerant and Shade-tolerant Caladium?
Sun-tolerant caladiums have foliage that can withstand more direct sunlight, while shade-tolerant varieties prefer being in more shady areas to prevent leaf burn. It’s also worth noting that even though they came from the same genus, some rare caladium varieties are more sun-tolerant than others while some can do well in both light conditions.
Can These Rare Caladium Varieties Be Grown Indoors?
Definitely! All caladiums, rare or not, can be brought indoors as long as they receive adequate light, and proper watering, given the right soil and temperature, and are enriched with lots of humidity.
Do Rare Caladium Plants Produce Flowers?
Caladiums produce arum-like blooms but this phenomenon is seldom occurring when they grow as indoor houseplants. The appeal of rare caladium varieties is not in their blooms, anyway.
Are All Rare Caladium Plants Poisonous?
Yes, caladiums are poisonous to humans and pets if large quantities are eaten. All parts of this plant contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
How Long Do These Rare Caladium Plants Live?
Generally, caladiums are annuals but can in warmer climates, they might survive as perennials. Their lifespan relies heavily on their growing conditions and maintenance.
Finishing Lines
Rare caladium varieties are an absolute delight for most gardeners. Although they can be quite difficult to find and may come at a higher price point, for those who appreciate the beauty of these aroids, the investment will be worth the money, time, and energy.
New author in the hood. Loves gardening and flowers are my spirit animals (yes I know they are not animals but I insist). I will be covering most of the flowers’ topics here and occasionally random though as well.
