Caladium (angel wings) Caladium bicolor
Caladium (angel wings) (Caladium bicolor) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Araceae family, native to Amazon basin (Brazil, Peru and neighbouring countries). It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Caladium (angel wings) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Caladium (angel wings) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Araceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Amazon basin (Brazil, Peru and neighbouring countries) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Caladium (angel wings) toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts, tubers
Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause mouth and throat irritation, drooling and vomiting.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Caladium (angel wings)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Caladium (angel wings) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (14 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (8 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (14 plants)
Questions about Caladium (angel wings)
- How far apart should I plant Caladium (angel wings)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Caladium (angel wings) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Caladium (angel wings) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Caladium (angel wings)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- Is Caladium (angel wings) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause mouth and throat irritation, drooling and vomiting.
- What grows well with Caladium (angel wings)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Caladium (angel wings). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Grown for foliage; flowers are small spathes and are ignored.
- Tubers go dormant in the dry or cool season; outside zones 9 to 10 lift tubers in autumn and replant after the soil exceeds about 21 C.
- Foliage burns in strong sun except in sun-tolerant strap-leaf cultivars.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Taro Colocasia esculenta
- Calla lily (arum lily) Zantedeschia aethiopica
- Lacy tree philodendron Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
- Swiss cheese plant Monstera deliciosa
- Giant taro (elephant ear) Alocasia macrorrhizos
- Flamingo flower Anthurium andraeanum
- Tannia (malanga, yautía, cocoyam) Xanthosoma sagittifolium
- Elephant foot yam (suran, buk) Amorphophallus paeoniifolius