Why are my Caladium leaves turning yellow?

This is often a sign of overwatering or the plant beginning its natural winter dormancy.

Can I grow Caladiums in full sun?

Most varieties prefer partial shade, though some newer cultivars tolerate more light.

Plant guide

Caladium.

Caladium bicolor

Pronounced kuh-LAY-dee-um BY-kuh-ler

Also known as Angel Wings, Artist's pallet, Heart of Jesus, Heart-of-Jesus, angel-wings, caladium, elephant's-ear, fancy-leaf caladium

Heart of Jesus — Photo by Greg III Espera (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Caladiums are showy tropical perennials grown for their heart shaped, colorful foliage. They grow from tubers and require a warm, humid environment to thrive. These plants naturally go dormant in the winter, losing their leaves until spring.

Another photo of Caladium — Photo by Greg III Espera (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tuberous perennial
Light: Partial shade to bright indirect light.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 30 to 60 cm tall.
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy during the growing season. Watch for drooping leaves, which often signal a need for more water or higher humidity. Once the foliage fades in autumn, allow the tuber to dry out and rest in a cool, dark place.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the active growing season.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every two weeks.
Pruning: Remove yellowing or damaged leaves at the base to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Refresh the soil annually when starting the tubers after their winter dormancy.
Soil: Well draining, peat based potting mix.
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with proper tuber care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface of the soil for too long.
The plant has become top heavy.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause painful swelling and burning of the mouth and throat if eaten.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, causing oral irritation and swelling.
Children: Keep this plant away from children as ingestion of the leaves can cause immediate pain and swelling in the mouth.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe irritation.

How to identify it

Heart shaped leaves
Translucent leaf tissue
Variegated patterns of pink, white, red
Long, slender petioles
Grows from a tuber

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.45m
Leaves: green, white, pink, red, deciduous
Flowers: white, green, 5 to 10cm
Fruit: white, Autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Root RotCommon
Spider MitesUncommon
Tuber RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: Spring
Overwintering: In cold climates, dig up the tubers after the first frost, let them dry, and store them in a cool, dark place in peat moss until spring.
In containers: They thrive in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 20 centimeters wide.

Tuber Division

1. Carefully lift the tuber from the soil after the foliage dies back.
2. Use a clean knife to cut the tuber into sections, ensuring each has an eye.
3. Let the cut surfaces callous for a day.
4. Replant the sections in well draining soil.

Group these with other shade loving plants that appreciate consistent soil moisture.

Grows well with

Impatiens · They share similar shade and moisture requirements.
Begonia · These plants provide great textural contrast in shaded beds.

Similar species

Elephant Ear · They are related aroids with similar tropical foliage habits.
Alocasia · They share the same family and tropical aesthetic.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Caladium
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical South America
Conservation: This plant is not currently of conservation concern.

It grows in the shaded understory of tropical forests where it relies on high humidity and consistent moisture.

Value to wildlife: provides shelter for small insects
Pollinators: beetles
Uses: container gardening, shaded border filler, indoor houseplant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9
Soil reaction: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my Caladium leaves turning yellow?: This is often a sign of overwatering or the plant beginning its natural winter dormancy.
Can I grow Caladiums in full sun?: Most varieties prefer partial shade, though some newer cultivars tolerate more light.

Where the name comes from

The name Caladium comes from the Malay word keladi, while the species name bicolor refers to the two toned coloration of the leaves.

Good to know

Caladiums go dormant in winter and lose all their leaves.
They are native to the tropical rainforests of South America.
The leaves are naturally water repellent.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.