Heart to Heart® 'Scarlet Flame' Sun or Shade Caladium Caladium hortulanum
- Sun or Shade
- Spring
- Summer
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15 - 20 Inches8 - 10 Inches8 - 10 Inches38cm - 51cm20cm - 25cm20cm - 25cm
Features
'Scarlet Flame' has vivid red, strap shaped leaves are liberally marked with pink and white speckles and handsomely finished with a bright green margin. Scarlet Flame caladium works well in patio planters or the landscape. It works especially well in borders. It will grow well in both shade and sun conditions as a reliable sun tolerant caladium. Caladiums are also generally considered to be houseplants where they prefer bright light or a sunny window, and understanding proper caladium houseplant care will help plants thrive indoors.
Caladiums can be an irritant if ingested. The ASPCA has more information on which plants may be harmful.
Award WinnerFoliage InterestHeat TolerantDeadheading Not NecessaryResists:DeerCharacteristics
Plant Type:AnnualHeight Category:MediumGarden Height:15 - 20 Inches 38cm - 51cmSpacing:8 - 10 Inches 20cm - 25cmSpread:8 - 10 Inches 20cm - 25cmFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Colors:PinkFoliage Colors:RedFoliage Colors:WhiteFoliage Shade:Red, Pink, White and GreenHabit:UprightContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Sun or ShadeThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBloom Time:Grown for FoliageHardiness Zones:10a, 10b, 11a, 11bWater Category:AverageUses:Border PlantUses:ContainerUses:LandscapeUses:Mass PlantingUses Notes:Great in landscapes and containers and will grow well in sunny and shaded locations.
Maintenance Notes:Caladiums can be an irritant if ingested. The ASPCA has more information on which plants may be harmful.
See our complete guide to caladium care.
Since Caladiums prefer heat and humidity and do not tolerate cold, soggy soils, for most gardeners who live in the north will have best results in containers, as the soil in pots or planters warms up faster and has better drainage so plants will not become soggy. Remember for best growth always keep the temperatures above 65 F.
A ¼ - ½ strength fertilizing every week or every other week is fine throughout the season, too strong a fertilizer can burn leaves, and since the leaves last all season you want to keep them looking fresh. Caladiums like to be moist at all times so avoid allowing them to dry out as it also causes leaves to yellow and drop.
Where the Caladiums will do best depends a lot on your location within the US, since sunlight intensity varies depending on where you live. Here’s a quick reference to help guide you to help you succeed.
Region
When to Plant
Sun or Shade
Containers or in the garden
NW & NE United States & Canada
Early summer
Full sun - light shade.
Caladiums do best in containers in this part of the country and usually need to be in a protected warm location for best results. Like a sunroom or warm patio setting. If growing outdoors select the warmest protected locations in the garden.
SW United States
Spring
shade to light shade only
Containers may be easiest but a shady, cool garden spot can also be lovely. Watch your watering to keep the plants from drying out.
Midwest
Late Spring
Light shade
Containers are likely best, but a late spring planting into a protected shade flower bed will also be fine.
SE United States
Spring
Shade to sun
Both containers and garden plantings work fine, in the deep south Caladiums may even come back the following year if kept dry over the winter.
Fun Facts:2023 National Caladium of the Year.
Heart to Heart® 'Scarlet Flame' Caladium hortulanum USPP 25,419 -
Award Year Award Plant Trial 2024 Top Performer Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden -
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Professional Growing Information 
