Caladium Fannie Munson, with its delicate ruffled heart-shaped pink foliage, is one of the most sought-after caladium varieties. Although generally an unproblematic houseplant when it comes to maintenance, Caladium Fannie Munson may need some specific maintenance. In this care guide, we’ll take a closer look at how to care for this beautiful plant and how to keep them thriving.
Table of Contents
General Caladium Fannie Munson Info
Common Name(s): Fannie Munson
Scientific Name: Caladium ‘Fannie Munson’
Plant Family: Araceae
Country of Origin: Southern America
Natural Habitat: Tropical and subtropical rainforests
Size: About 24 to 30 inches (60 to 76 centimeters)
Toxicity Level: Mildly toxic to humans and pets if large amounts are ingested
Color(s): Flamingo pink, dark green, magenta
Flower Shape: Tiny, arum-like blooms that are located separately from the foliage
Is Caladium Fannie Munson Rare?
Fannie Munson Caladium is not considered a rare variety in comparison to Pink Symphony. The popularity and their easiness of propagation make this eye-catching variety generally widely available for purchase either from nurseries or online retailers.
Foliage and Blooms Appearance
Similar to its caladium variety counterparts, Fannie Munson features attractive foliage that is more favored than its rarely occurring blooms. Fannie Munson Caladium has ruffled, heart or wing-shaped leaves that come in bright flamingo pink. The veining part of this plant is noticeable, with dark magenta and a splash of dark green at the edges.
This pink caladium variety does have flowers but is not the main attraction of the plant and rarely blooms. The flowers of Caladium Fannie Munson are tiny and white or very pale yellow and emerge from the center of the plant.
Size and Growth
Caladium Fannie Munson falls into the category of small to medium-sized plants. Growing to only about 30 inches (76 centimeters) tall and 20 inches (50 centimeters) wide, this caladium variety is perfect to be grown indoors or outdoors. To add, Fannie Munson is considered a moderately fast-growing caladium variety, especially under optimal growing conditions.
Does Fannie Munson Caladium Fragrance-free?
For those who are sensitive to fragrance, you don’t need to worry about thriving Caladium Fannie Munson. This pink and green caladium variety is a fragrance-free plant and does not produce any noticeable scent from its leaves or blossoms.
Caladium Fannie Munson vs Pink Beauty: Similar But Different
Differentiating caladium varieties can be quite challenging, especially if you’re a new gardener. In terms of similarity, Fannie Munson is often mistakenly labeled or marketed as Pink Beauty and vice versa.
However, they’re not the same plant. Even though featuring the same color and foliage shape, Pink Beauty has a unique pattern that makes it easy to distinguish them from Fannie Munson. Overall, Pink Beauty features broader dark green edges that could spread as far as nearly to the center of each foliage. This variety also may or may not have noticeable magenta veins.
How To Avoid the Toxicity of Caladium Fannie Munson?
Before getting Caladium Fannie Munson, it’s important to remind your loved ones about the toxicity of this plant. Place them away from the reach of children and pets. When in contact with the plant, make sure to use a pair of gloves and protect your clothes if possible. Fannie Munson contains harmful chemicals called calcium oxalate crystals that can cause unwanted poisoning symptoms such as burning and swelling of the mouth and digestive tract.
What Can You Do With Funny Munson Caladium?
Caladium is not just a pleasing indoor and outdoor houseplant. With some creativity, you can do much more with this pink and dark green caladium variety. From giving them as presents, taking them as part of flower arrangements, to incorporate them as focal points among any other border plants.
The Ultimate Fannie Munson Caladium Care Guide
Light
Fannie Munson prefers bright but indirect light against direct light as it can burn their delicate foliage. If you’re planning to bring them indoors, never place the plant directly by the window, but near the window with a sheer curtain to filter the sunlight. On some occasions, Caladium Fannie Munson may tolerate lower light conditions but it’s not recommended as it can heavily affect their growth.
Watering
A gardening bed that is kept consistently moist with good drainage and not waterlogged is what Fannie Munson loves. Overwatering the plant can lead to root rot while underwatering can cause dry and wilting leaves.
To water Fannie Munson, the rule is pretty simple. Wait until the first layer of the topsoil feels dry when touched. Water the plant thoroughly, and avoid getting water directly from the upper part. Make sure all the excess water drains out until the next watering schedule.
Temperature and Humidity
Caladium Fannie Munson needs a more specific temperature and humidity level to keep their lush flamingo pink and dark green foliage thriving beautifully. This plant loves warm and humid areas and is not tolerant of cold and frost. Fannie Munson performs well under the temperature of 70°F (21°C) to 85°F (29°C). They tolerate night temperatures to as low as 60°F (15°C) but never go below the lines. Along with warm temperatures, keep the humidity level to about 60% to 80%.
Soil
The soil requirements for Fannie Munson are somewhat similar to their watering needs. This pink and green caladium variety is a fan of well-draining soil that retains moisture but is not overly soggy.
You can use an aroid potting mix with an equal combination of peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark. Add the soil’s fertility by using organic matter such as compost and manure. It’s also important to note that Caladium Fannie Munson is kind of sensitive to the soil pH levels, so make sure to prepare soil that has a slightly acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Fertilizing
The growing season from early fall to summer is the best time to feed Caladium Fannie Munson fertilizers. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with a 10:10:10 or 20:20:20 nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can be used every three to four weeks to promote healthy and vibrant foliage. Avoid or reduce the amount of fertilizer during winter, when the plant usually goes dormant.
Propagation
The recommended way of propagating Caladium Fannie Munson is through tuber division. Division involves separating the tubers of a mature and healthy plant into smaller sections. Make sure each has at least one or two ‘eyes’ or growing points. If you’re not sure, tubers can be purchased from garden centers or online retailers. Stem cutting propagation, on the other side, is not recommended as Fannie Munson typically does not produce feasible stem cuttings.
Repotting and Pruning
Fannie Munson mainly needs repotting during their active growing season or whenever the plant has outgrown its old containers. Simply choose a new slightly larger planter with enough drainage holes and gently move the plant into its new home.
Pruning Caladium Fannie Munson is not necessary, but it’s needed when the plants get infected, damaged, or diseased. Use a pair of sharp, clean gardening shears or scissors and cut the foliage at the base of the stem. Avoid removing more than one-third part of the plant as this can lead to plant stress and make it difficult to photosynthesize.
Common Pests and Diseases
Caladium Fannie Munson is susceptible to common houseplant pests and diseases, but fortunately, it’s very treatable. Pests such as spider mites, mealy bugs, and fungal-related diseases can lead to yellowing or browning leaves, causing leaf spots, root rot, and even primary death.
The basic and most predominant rule is to ensure providing the plant with good and proper growing conditions. Treatments like neem oil, rubbing alcohol, and insecticidal soap can be used as well, although in most severe cases, you’d likely need to use a stronger pesticide.
Caladium Fannie Munson Care: Is It Easy Or Not?
To wind up, Caladium Fannie Munson is definitely a breathtaking pink and green caladium variety that is rather easy to grow. The primary rule of bright and indirect light, warm and humid temperature, along with slightly acidic and moist soil that is rich in humus is all you need to keep the Fannie Munson a happy and healthy plant.
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.
