The question of whether Angel Wings plants are perennial is nuanced, depending entirely on the local climate and which plant the common name refers to. Angel Wings is considered a “tender perennial,” meaning it is biologically capable of living for multiple years, but only if protected from freezing temperatures. Outside of tropical or sub-tropical regions, it is most often grown as a warm-season annual that must be replanted or specially protected each year.
Identifying the Plant Called Angel Wings
The common name “Angel Wings” is applied to at least two distinct types of ornamental plants, each with different care requirements. The first is Senecio candicans, often sold under the brand name Angel Wings, which is prized for its large, velvety, silvery-white leaves. This plant is a succulent shrub native to South America, where it naturally persists year-round. The second, and perhaps more widely known, plant referred to as Angel Wings is Caladium, a tropical tuberous perennial grown for its spectacular heart-shaped foliage. Caladium leaves display striking patterns in shades of white, pink, red, and green, emerging directly from an underground storage organ.
Climate Zones and True Perennial Status
A plant’s perennial status is determined by its ability to survive the lowest average winter temperatures, codified by the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone system. Both types of Angel Wings plants are tropical or sub-tropical in origin and are naturally perennial only in the warmest zones. The silvery-leaved Senecio candicans is reliably perennial in USDA Zones 8 through 11, where winter temperatures rarely drop below 15°F (-9.4°C).
The tuberous Caladium is more sensitive to cold, surviving year-round only in Zones 9 through 12, where soil temperatures remain consistently warm. In colder climates, temperatures below 50°F (10°C) signal the Caladium to enter dormancy, and a hard frost will destroy both the foliage and the underground tuber. In any zone below their established perennial range, both plants must be treated as annuals or actively protected to ensure their survival through winter.
Overwintering for Continued Growth
For gardeners living in colder zones, the two types of Angel Wings require completely different techniques to survive the winter, tailored to the plant’s structure.
Overwintering Senecio candicans (Silvery-Leaved)
The silvery-leaved Senecio candicans is best overwintered as an indoor houseplant, as it is a broadleaf evergreen that does not naturally go dormant. Before the first frost, the potted plant should be brought indoors and placed in a location with bright light and good airflow. During its time indoors, the Senecio should be watered sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings to mimic its semi-succulent nature and prevent root rot. Temperatures should be kept above 45°F (7°C), and the plant can be returned outside once the risk of frost has completely passed in the spring. Maintaining sufficient light is important, as low light levels can cause the plant to become leggy and lose its compact shape.
Overwintering Caladium (Tuberous)
Overwintering the tuberous Caladium involves inducing and maintaining a state of dormancy, which requires lifting the tubers from the soil. When temperatures drop below 60°F (15.5°C) or after the first light frost has caused the foliage to yellow, the process should begin. Carefully dig up the tubers, leaving the foliage attached, and allow them to cure in a dry, warm location, ideally around 60°F (15.5°C), for one to two weeks.
After the curing period, the dried leaves and roots can be removed, and the cleaned tubers should be stored in a breathable medium like dry peat moss, vermiculite, or sawdust. The storage container, such as a cardboard box, should be kept in a dark, cool, and dry place where temperatures remain consistently between 55°F and 65°F (13°C and 18°C). This controlled storage prevents the tubers from rotting due to moisture or freezing, allowing them to remain viable until they are replanted the following spring when soil temperatures reach 70°F (21°C).