Caladium is grown for its root. It's hardy across USDA zones 9 through 11 and stands up to deer.
Zones
9-11
pH Range
4.3-8.2
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Caladium on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether caladium actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score caladium against your land's real conditions.
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What Caladium is
Caladium reaches around two feet at maturity. It blooms in summer. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Caladium
Caladium grows in USDA zones 9 through 11. Caladium does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.3 to 8.2, on evenly moist to well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 180 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
9-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.3 - 8.2
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
Growable Ground plant catalog
Drainage
poorly (saturated >50% of year), well (dry spells)
Growable Ground plant catalog
Frost Tolerance
50°F
The lowest temperature it shrugs off — below this, expect damage without cover.
Growable Ground plant catalog
Mature Height
2 ft
Growable Ground plant catalog
Frost-Free Days
180+
The frost-free stretch it needs start to finish — short-season areas may need an indoor head start.
Growable Ground plant catalog
Sow directly
Sow caladium seed straight into the bed — root crops germinate fast and resent transplanting. Give them full sun.
Match the soil
Caladium prefers pH 4.3 to 8.2 (FAO ECOCROP). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at maturity
Pull while roots are young and tender — sweeter than oversized ones. Local Cooperative Extension guides publish timing tables.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — caladium is toxic to dogs and cats (moderate severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Caladium isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data — pair it with high-value bloomers nearby to feed bees.
Where Caladium thrives
Caladium is hardy across USDA zones 9 through 11. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 9–11·Where Caladium growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Caladium can grow in these states:
See if Caladium will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether caladium actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Caladium in my zone?
Caladium grows in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Caladium?
Most growers plant caladium after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 180-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Caladium need?
Caladium needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Caladium need?
Caladium prefers soil pH 4.3 to 8.2, on evenly moist to well-drained ground (FAO ECOCROP). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Caladium attract pollinators?
Caladium isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data. Pairing it with high-value bloomers nearby keeps bees and butterflies fed.
Is Caladium safe for pets?
Caladium is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with moderate severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)