5 Stunning Ways to Add Caladiums to Your Garden Design

Few plants can match caladiums for instant impact. Their bold color and texture, combined with their lush growing habit, elevate every landscape, from colorful cottage gardens to serene tropical escapes.

Even better, these hardy plants are remarkably versatile, equally at home in a shady garden bed, a patio container, or a mixed planting.

A landscape that relies on flowers for color has to be carefully designed to bloom in waves – otherwise you end up with a few weeks of color and a long season of green. Caladiums, on the other hand, are never out of color. Their vivid foliage is on display all season long.

We’ve collected five examples of ways to display caladiums in the landscape. Read on to be inspired, whatever your garden style.

Plant in Masses for Maximum Impact

Caladiums’ large, heart-shaped leaves are especially eye-catching when they’re planted in a mass. Combine caladiums of varying colors and heights to create contrast, or plant a swath in a single variety for a dramatic wave of color.

Pictured here, Heart to HeartⓇ Bold ‘N Beautiful presents a dense ribbon of pink and green.

Where to Use In Your Landscape:

• Under trees

• On shady mounds

• Along borders and paths

Create Mixed Garden Beds for Texture and Contrast

For a dynamic, layered look, combine caladiums with ferns, hostas, and coleus in a shade garden. Once the flowers have faded from shade-loving perennials, the rich caladium foliage takes center stage.

Pictured here, Heart to Heart® Lemon Blush caladiums mingle with Diamond Frost® euphorbia, Lemon Coral® sedum, and Shadowland® Wheee! hosta.

Where to Use in Your Landscape:

• In shady garden beds

• Along hardscapes to soften the edges of paths and fence lines

Plant Caladiums in Containers for a Statement Display

Caladiums make excellent container plants. Brighten your porch or patio with a container filled with bold caladiums, or use the vivid foliage as the “thriller” in your mixed pot.

Pictured here, Heart to Heart® Raspberry Moon caladium is paired with Proven Accents® Sweet Caroline Raven™ ornamental sweet potato vine and ColorBlaze® Lime Time® coleus.

Where to Use in Your Landscape:

• In shaded areas of patios, porches, or container gardens

• In hanging baskets

• Indoors as houseplants

Create a Bold Garden Border

Low-growing caladium varieties, with their compact habit and season-long color, add a distinctive element to your garden borders.

Pictured here, Heart to Heart® Blushing Bride brightens a border that also includes ColorBlaze® Torchlight® coleus and Proven Accents® Illusion® Midnight Lace sweet potato vine.

Where to Use in Your Landscape:

• Edging flower beds

• Lining paths, walkways, and fence lines

• Along the edges of hardscapes and water features

Create a Tropical Garden Landscape 

Caladiums are a tropical plant, and their exotic appearance is right at home alongside other tropical plants like papyrus and canna lilies.

Pictured here, Heart to Heart® Hot 2 Trot accents a garden featuring elephant ears, Shadowland® Coast to Coast host a and Graceful Grasses® Queen Tut™ dwarf papyrus.

Where to Use in Your Landscape:

• Use tropical plant pairings to turn a pool into a serene lagoon

• Create a lush, jungle-like garden in a shady area of your landscape

There’s a Caladium for Every Garden Design

No matter where you plant them – in beds, borders, or containers – caladiums make an unforgettable impact. Their long-lasting color and eye-catching shape can enhance any design, whether you prefer a bold, structured look or a lush, natural feel.

With nearly 100 varieties in a range of colors, heights, and sun tolerance, you’re sure to find the perfect one to add a touch of drama to your landscape. Explore our full collection.