Big leaf caladiums are the drama queens of the garden—and I mean that in the best way. Their bold colors and oversized leaves make everything else look a little more exciting.
I’ve grown a bunch over the years, and a few of them completely stole the spotlight. With the right care (and a little patience), they’ll reward you with jaw-dropping foliage all season long.
If your garden needs a pop of personality, these stunners are the way to go.
1. Candidum
The classic white beauty of the garden world that never goes out of style. These snowy leaves feature prominent green veins that create a stunning contrast against the milky background.
Candidum thrives in bright, indirect light and loves humidity. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. When winter approaches, the foliage will naturally die back – this is normal!
2. Frieda Hemple
Vibrant crimson dominates these show-stopping leaves, making them a perfect focal point for any garden. The brilliant red centers gradually fade to green edges, creating a dramatic two-tone effect that catches everyone’s eye.
Plant these stunners in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. Morning sun with afternoon shade provides ideal conditions for the richest color development. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to tuber rot. Apply a slow-release fertilizer when planting for season-long vigor.
3. White Christmas
Imagine snow-white leaves splashed with emerald green veins creating nature’s perfect holiday pattern. The striking contrast makes this variety a standout even in the shadiest garden corners.
Give these beauties rich, acidic soil for best performance. They prefer dappled shade rather than deep shade or direct sun. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry. Mist frequently during hot weather to maintain humidity and prevent leaf edges from browning.
4. Rosebud
Delicate pink centers bloom outward into cream-colored edges on these romantic heart-shaped leaves. Small splashes of green veining add depth and character to this feminine variety.
Morning sun brings out the richest coloration in these beauties. Plant tubers 1-2 inches deep with the knobby side up. Fertilize lightly every 4-6 weeks with a balanced formula. These make excellent container specimens where you can control soil moisture and light exposure perfectly.
5. Red Flash
Drama queens of the caladium world with their massive leaves spanning up to 12 inches across! The deep green background is splashed with vibrant red centers and decorated with random spots of bright pink and white.
These showstoppers need space to display their full glory. Plant them 8-12 inches apart in rich, moist soil. They tolerate more sun than many other varieties if given enough water. Add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool during summer heat.
6. Aaron
Elegant white leaves edged with delicate green borders create a sophisticated look in any garden setting. The restrained color palette makes Aaron perfect for moonlight gardens or formal landscape designs.
Give these refined beauties protection from afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. They partner beautifully with blue or purple flowering plants for a cool, calming garden vignette. Plant tubers after soil temperatures reach 70°F for best results. Aaron performs exceptionally well in containers on shaded patios.
7. Florida Sweetheart
Cheerful pink leaves with deeper rose-colored veins bring a sweet blush to shady spots. The compact growth habit makes this variety perfect for borders or smaller container displays.
Despite their delicate appearance, these plants are surprisingly tough. They rebound quickly from occasional dry spells once watering resumes. Plant tubers in clusters of 3-5 for maximum impact. Their smaller size (8-10 inches tall) makes them perfect for edging beds or mixing with taller shade plants.
8. Carolyn Whorton
Flamboyant pink leaves splashed with green margins and decorated with crimson veins make this variety a true garden diva. The colors intensify as the season progresses, creating an ever-changing display.
This heat-loving variety performs better than most in sunny locations. The tubers benefit from pre-sprouting indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outside. Water deeply rather than frequently to encourage strong root development. Remove any yellow leaves promptly to maintain the plant’s beauty.
9. White Queen
Regal white leaves dramatically veined in deep burgundy create a sophisticated presence in the garden. The stark contrast between colors makes this variety visible even in deep shade.
These aristocratic plants prefer rich, slightly acidic soil amended with plenty of organic matter. They emerge later than some varieties, so be patient in spring. Excellent for brightening dark corners under trees where few other plants thrive. Their translucent quality seems to glow in evening light.
10. Fannie Munson
Electric pink dominates these show-stopping leaves with just enough green edging to create dramatic contrast. When backlit by morning sun, these leaves seem to glow with internal light.
Give these beauties a spot with filtered light for best color development. Too much shade dulls their vibrant hue. Plant tubers with the bumpy side facing up, about 1-2 inches deep. They make excellent companions for ferns and hostas, adding bright color to an otherwise green palette.
11. Gingerland
Creamy white leaves liberally freckled with red spots and bordered in green create a confetti-like effect in the garden. No two leaves are exactly alike, making each plant a unique piece of living art.
These whimsical plants prefer morning sun and afternoon shade for best coloration. The tubers benefit from a soak in warm water for 30 minutes before planting. Their speckled pattern pairs beautifully with solid-colored plants. Protect from strong winds which can damage the delicate leaves.
12. Pink Symphony
Delicate watercolor-like pink washes over these translucent leaves, creating a soft, romantic look. Green edges and veins provide structure and contrast to the dreamy pink centers.
These gentle beauties prefer filtered light rather than deep shade for best color development. They’re excellent for container growing where you can control moisture levels precisely. Plant them near garden seating areas where their subtle coloration can be appreciated up close. Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen which can diminish pink intensity.
13. Florida Cardinal
Brilliant cardinal red leaves with narrow green margins make this variety a standout in any garden setting. The intense color holds well even in bright light, making it more versatile than many caladiums.
These bold beauties can handle more sun than most varieties if given adequate moisture. Plant them where they’ll receive morning sun for best color development. They create stunning container displays when paired with trailing white or silver plants. Deadhead any flowers to direct energy back to the spectacular foliage.
14. Miss Muffet
Chartreuse leaves liberally speckled with burgundy spots create a playful, whimsical look in the garden. The compact growth habit makes this variety perfect for containers or front-of-border plantings.
These fun-loving plants prefer bright, indirect light for the most vivid coloration. Their smaller size (10-12 inches tall) works beautifully in mixed containers. The lime-green background brightens shady areas while the burgundy speckles add visual interest. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
15. Moonlight
Luminous silvery-white leaves with subtle green veining seem to glow in shady garden spots. The ethereal coloration makes these plants perfect for evening gardens or moonlit patios.
These elegant plants prefer rich, consistently moist soil. Their pale coloration stands out beautifully against darker foliage plants like ferns or heuchera. Plant in groups of 5-7 for maximum impact in landscape settings. They’re particularly striking when planted near water features where they reflect in the surface.
16. Fire Chief
Blazing red centers radiate outward to green margins on these aptly named beauties. The fiery color makes them perfect focal points in container arrangements or garden beds.
These bold performers tolerate more sun than many caladiums if given adequate moisture. Plant them where they’ll receive morning light for the most vibrant coloration. They pair beautifully with blue or purple flowering plants for a high-contrast display. Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer for continuous color throughout the season.
17. Pink Beauty
Soft pink leaves veined with deeper rose create a gentle, feminine presence in the garden. The translucent quality of the leaves gives them a delicate, almost ethereal appearance.
These romantic plants prefer dappled shade rather than deep shade or direct sun. They combine beautifully with ferns and other woodland plants in naturalistic settings. The pink coloration intensifies in brighter light situations. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
18. Postman Joyner
Dramatic crimson centers surrounded by deep green margins create bold contrast in these eye-catching leaves. The rich coloration makes them visible even in deeply shaded areas.
These striking plants need protection from afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. They prefer rich, well-draining soil kept consistently moist. Their bold pattern makes them excellent specimen plants in containers. The dark coloration provides beautiful contrast with lighter plants in mixed garden beds.