Heart to Heart® Midnight Oil Sun and Shade Caladium Caladium hortulanum
- Part Sun to Sun
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
-
12 - 14 Inches10 - 14 Inches10 - 14 Inches30cm - 36cm25cm - 36cm25cm - 36cm
Features
You’ve never seen a caladium quite like this! The first of its kind, this near-black, strap style Heart to Heart® black caladium plant is a striking strap leaf caladium that blends deep green and red tones on arrow-shaped leaves with undulating margins. Though it grows in part shade, you’ll find the coloration is darkest when exposed to direct sunlight, giving this dark leaf caladium a dramatic charcoal black appearance from a distance. Expect the spring and summer foliage to be slightly darker than in autumn when the deep red and green tones become more evident. Midnight Oil caladium is a vigorous selection with a full shape that looks beautiful in upright containers, hanging baskets and landscapes, especially as a bold caladium for patio containers feature.
Foliage InterestHeat TolerantDeadheading Not NecessaryResists:DeerCharacteristics
Plant Type:AnnualHeight Category:MediumGarden Height:12 - 14 Inches 30cm - 36cmSpacing:10 - 14 Inches 25cm - 36cmSpread:10 - 14 Inches 25cm - 36cmFoliage Colors:BlackFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Colors:RedFoliage Shade:Deep green and red tones near blackHabit:UprightContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Part Sun to SunThe 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 sun and shade locations. This black caladium plant is a medium landscape caladium that works beautifully as a filler in combination recipes and is particularly eye-catching in caladium for patio containers and patio planters. Caladium foliage also makes a wonderful component in cut flower arrangements, especially the dramatic foliage of this dark leaf caladium.
Maintenance Notes:Caladiums can be an irritant if ingested. The ASPCA has more information on which plants may be harmful.
Outdoors: 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 growing this black caladium plant in containers, where soil warms up faster and drainage is improved. 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 to keep this bold dark leaf caladium looking its best throughout the season.
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 you guide 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.
Heart to Heart® Midnight Oil Caladium hortulanum 'THAI STR OF17-1082' USPP 35,509 -
