Caladium 'Red Flash'

🌿 Caladium 'Red Flash' (Caladium bicolor) is a stunning tropical foliage plant from the Araceae family, native to the rainforests of South America where it thrives beneath the canopy in warm, humid conditions. This beginner-friendly plant is celebrated for its heart-shaped leaves adorned with vibrant red veining and splashes against a backdrop of green and pink tones. One fascinating fact about caladiums is that they are tuberous perennials, meaning they naturally enter a dormancy period in cooler months, allowing them to rest and regenerate for the next growing season.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This caladium grows in an upright, bushy habit, producing large, arrow-shaped leaves that can reach up to 30 centimeters in length. The foliage features bold red veins radiating from the centre, contrasted with soft pink and green zones that create a watercolour effect. The leaves have a thin, papery texture with a slight translucence that catches light beautifully, making each leaf appear to glow when backlit.
FLOWER DETAILS
Caladium 'Red Flash' produces small, inconspicuous flowers typical of the Araceae family, consisting of a pale green spathe and spadix. These blooms are not particularly fragrant or showy, and most growers remove them as they appear since flowering can divert energy from the plant's magnificent foliage. The plant's true aesthetic appeal lies entirely in its colourful leaves rather than its flowers. Flowering is infrequent and usually occurs during the active growing season in summer, but it's best to pinch off buds early to maintain leaf vibrancy and size.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright, indirect light for 4-6 hours daily. Avoid direct sun which will scorch and fade the delicate leaves
💧 Water: Keep soil consistently moist during growing season (spring through summer), watering when the top 2-3 centimeters feel dry. Reduce watering significantly in fall and stop when the plant enters dormancy. Bottom watering works well to avoid wetting the foliage
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 60-80% humidity for optimal leaf colour and size
🪴 Soil: Well-draining, peat-based mix with added perlite or orchid bark for aeration
🏺 Potting: Use a shallow pot with drainage holes, 15-20 centimeters wide for a single tuber. Terracotta or plastic both work well. Repot tubers annually in spring when growth resumes
🌱 Growth rate: Fast-growing during active season, reaching full size within 2-3 months. Goes dormant in fall/winter. Maximum height of 30-45 centimeters when mature
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Stop feeding when leaves begin to yellow in fall
🐾 Pet friendly: No. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals which are toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if ingested, causing oral irritation, drooling, and digestive upset
WHERE TO PUT IT
Caladium 'Red Flash' thrives in warm, humid spaces like bathrooms with good natural light, sunrooms, or bright living rooms away from drafty windows. It makes an excellent table centrepiece or elevated on a plant stand where its colourful foliage can be admired from below. Avoid placing it near air conditioning vents, heating registers, or in cold drafts, as it's sensitive to temperature fluctuations below 18°C. Keep it out of reach of pets and children due to its toxicity.
RARITY ASSESSMENT
common