Before successfully growing as a popular house plant, caladium thrives wildly in the warm tropical rainforests of South America, making them tolerate growing conditions with minimum light.
Therefore, caladiums for shade are the epic choice for indoor and outdoor gardeners alike who wish to add color and texture, without having to worry about providing direct sunlight. Get ready to meet these caladium full-shade varieties that wouldn’t mind without much gleam!
Table of Contents
Caladium Full-shade Lovers
Pink Beauty
Plant Size: 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) tall
As the name implies, these caladiums for shade feature wing-shaped foliage with an eye-catching bright pink center, dark pink veins, and contrasting dark green edges. Doing an annual repotting once or twice a year, usually before the growing season, would prevent Pink Beauty’s root bounding.
Pro Tip: Because of their popping colors, Caladium Pink Beauty can be mixed with other shade-loving plants such as Anthurium for fantastic scenery.
Candidum
Plant Size: 14 to 18 inches (35 to 45 centimeters) tall
For those who love white plants and wish them to stay petite, Candidum would be your new best friend. These caladiums for shade are attention-grabbing with their milky white foliage and contrasting deep dark green veins. This perennial loves loamy soil with good drainage.
Pro Tip: The compact size of Caladium Candidum makes them great to be part of shady window box gardens.
Aaron
Plant Size: 20 to 24 inches (50 to 60 centimeters) tall
Another green and white variation of caladium, Aaron displays a different pattern than Candidum. They produce ruffled, heart-shaped foliage with dark green edges and white center and veins, without a little contrast between the center and the veining parts. They do well in fertile soil.
Pro Tip: Plant Caladium Aaron in containers for a portable and lush garden display.
Freida Hemple
Plant Size: 15 to 18 inches (38 to 45 centimeters) tall
These exotic caladiums for shade have elongated heart-shaped leaves that are a little pointy at the tip. Freida Hemple is an easy stan-attractor with their deep dark green or dark purplish-green edges and bright reddish-magenta centers. They love sandy and loamy soil.
Pro Tip: Thrive Freida Hemple Caladium to create that patterned effect in shady areas.
Florida Moonlight
Plant Size: 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) tall
It’s difficult not to move your attention to the delicate Florida Moonlight. As bright as a moon, these gorgeous caladiums for shade display heart-shaped foliage with bright white color and thin edges in dark green. The veining part of Florida Moonlight also comes in white. They do best in areas with warm temperatures.
Pro Tip: Because of its striking white color, Florida Moonlight Caladium is best to use as a centerpiece in indoor or outdoor gardens.
Brandywine
Plant Size: 18 to 20 inches (45 to 50 centimeters) tall
Happiness is when you finally find a plant that could indirectly show your love for wines. As the name indicates, Brandywine features ruffled, heart-shaped foliage in colors of red wine to reddish-pink and grayish-green edges. Their blooming period starts from early fall to summer.
Pro Tip: Use Brandywine Caladium to create a beautiful tropical look in those shaded areas.
Fannie Munson
Plant Size: 24 to 30 inches (60 to 76 centimeters) tall
To all pink fans, these superb caladiums for shade are rooting for you! Fannie Munson stuns with their ruffled wing-shaped foliage that comes in bright pink, accompanied by reddish-pink veins, and a splash of dark green edges. Keep their soil consistently moist for the best-growing result.
Pro Tip: Growing in taller sizes, Fannie Munson Caladium can be used as border plants in shady gardens.
Pearl Blush
Plant Size: 16 to 18 inches (40 to 45 centimeters) tall
The heart-shaped foliage of Pearl Blush that comes in white, dark green edges, and sheer pink veins is hard to resist. They perform the best in humid areas and appreciate a regular misting regime to keep their foliage moist.
Pro Tip: Although might not be a popular option, you can cut Pearl Blush Caladium foliage and use them as part of the flower arrangements.
Postman Joyner
Plant Size: 22 to 24 inches (55 to 60 centimeters) tall
As one of the most sought-after caladium varieties out there, Postman Joyner has been loved for their wing-shaped foliage that comes in dark magenta to reddish-pink centers and dark green edges. They prefer high humidity and don’t like it when their soil becomes too dry.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of the beauty of Postman Joyner Caladium by using them to decorate the patio and any other outdoor living area.
Lemon Blush
Plant Size: 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) tall
These dazzling caladiums for shade feature paler shades of green. Lemon Blush has roundish heart-shaped foliage that comes with a flamingo pink center and magenta-colored veins. This plant is sensitive to both overwatering and underwatering.
Pro Tip: The bright color of Lemon Blush Caladium is flawless to help add color to a dark corner of the house and office, but make sure that they get the appropriate amount of light.
Blushing Bride
Plant Size: 16 to 20 inches (40 to 50 centimeters) tall
Blushing Bride is an astonishing caladium variety that features heart-shaped leaves with a mix of a creamy white and pale pink background. They have thin, dark green edges with delicate pink veins. The recommended fertilizer rate for this plant is an equal part of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, with a ratio of 5:5:5 or 10:10:10.
Pro Tip: Add color and texture to the front door by thriving the Blushing Bride Caladium nearby. This plant can be grown in containers and pots.
Raspberry Moon
Plant Size: 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) tall
These sweet caladiums are for shade delight with ruffled wing-shaped foliage that comes in a pale white-green base and splotches of raspberry-red. Raspberry Moon thrives well in zones 9 through 11. Not a fan of winter, this plant might go dormant during winter and that’s okay as they will likely come back during the next growing season.
Pro Tip: Say hello to a remarkable afternoon tea-time with Raspberry Moon Caladium! This plant’s flawless to be placed in a hanging basket near windows for a unique look that goes along with special tea time.
Carolyn Worthon
Plant Size: 24 to 30 inches (60 to 76 centimeters) tall
With stirring dark green edges, flamingo-pink veins, and a splash of white in the center that decorates their heart-shaped lush foliage, Carolyn Worthon has been captured in the heart of many plant enthusiasts. Mainly easy to maintain, warm and humid, shaded areas are a must for them to perform the finest.
Pro Tip: Mix and match Carolyn Worthon Caladium with any other shade-loving caladiums to create a vibrant and outstanding display.
Miss Muffet
Plant Size: 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 centimeters) tall
Miss Muffet is one of the smallest caladium varieties you should thrive in your garden. This caladium variety features a striking color resemblance with Raspberry Moon, but they’re not the same. Miss Muffet comes with a pale white-green base that could thrive in an almost completely milky white color, with white or reddish-pink veins, and splotches of brownish-red. This plant is a big fan of loamy or sandy soil.
Pro Tip: If you like photography, try to incorporate Miss Muffet Caladium into your art. Their compact size and impressive color contrast make them an excellent subject for capturing shots.
Strawberry Star
Plant Size: 16 to 24 inches (40 to 60 centimeters) tall
These ‘albino’ caladiums for shade are a combination of sensational milky white color with noticeable dark green veins and tiny patches of strawberry-red. The recommended water intake for this plant is about once or twice a week, where it’s generally enough to keep their soil moist.
Pro Tip: Plant them indoors to bring some fresh air inside. Strawberry Star Caladium is known for its air purification which helps remove air pollutants.
Fact Check: Do Caladiums Like Shade?
Although a few caladiums for shade varieties can also do well under bright, direct light, it’s highly recommended to limit their daily intake of direct light as this can result in scorching and burning leaves. The best light combination would be a daily early morning direct light with a maximum of two hours, and let them rest under shady areas for the rest of the day.
What Are the Correct Caladium Water Requirements?
About once or twice a week. Only waters when the first 2 inches (5 centimeters) of the topsoil dries out.
Are Caladium Heavy-feeders?
No, caladiums are not considered heavy feeders but they do require balanced fertilizers to promote healthy growth.
Glow Up the Shady Areas with Caladium
Caladiums for shade are wonderful additions to garden beds that receive limited direct sunlight. From Carolyn Whorton to Florida Moonlight, these plants bring life and color to even the darkest corners of your garden or home.
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.
