Caladium ‘Florida Sweetheart’ is a popular tuberous perennial, native to Brazil, known for its vibrant foliage. Its compact nature makes it suitable for indoor and garden spaces.
Distinctive Features of Caladium Florida Sweetheart
Caladium ‘Florida Sweetheart’ has heart-shaped leaves with bright pink centers, dark pink veins, and green margins. Its semi-transparent leaves can shimmer in sunlight. As a strap-leaf caladium, it grows compactly, typically reaching 12 inches tall with a 15-inch spread.
Essential Care for Caladium Florida Sweetheart
Maintaining Caladium ‘Florida Sweetheart’ requires attention to light, water, soil, nutrients, and atmospheric conditions to ensure vibrant foliage and robust growth.
Light
Caladium ‘Florida Sweetheart’ thrives in bright, indirect light, such as filtered sunlight under a tree canopy or near an east or north-facing window. Direct afternoon sun can scorch leaves and fade colors, while some morning sun can enhance leaf coloration.
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent tuber rot. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. Container plants may need more frequent watering than those in garden beds.
Soil
Ideal soil for Caladium ‘Florida Sweetheart’ is well-draining, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5). Incorporating peat moss, coco humus, perlite, or sphagnum moss improves drainage, water retention, and aeration.
Fertilizer
During the active growing season, fertilize Caladium ‘Florida Sweetheart’ every four to six weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-10 or 20-20-20). Dilute as directed and avoid contact with leaves to prevent burning. Excessive nitrogen can diminish pink hues.
Temperature and Humidity
Caladium ‘Florida Sweetheart’ prefers warm conditions: 21-32°C (70-90°F) during the day and above 18°C (65°F) at night. Temperatures below 15°C (59°F) can cause damage, and below 2°C (35°F) can be fatal. Maintain at least 50% humidity to prevent leaf crisping, using a pebble tray or grouping plants.
Planting and Growing Caladium Florida Sweetheart
Proper planting techniques, timing, and site selection are important for establishing Caladium ‘Florida Sweetheart’. It can flourish in garden beds or containers.
Tubers should be planted after the last frost, when soil temperatures consistently reach 15.5-21°C (60-70°F). For an earlier start, tubers can be pre-sprouted indoors four to six weeks before outdoor planting. Plant tubers 2 to 3 inches deep, ensuring the knobby side, which contains the “eyes” or growth points, faces upward. Space individual tubers 8 to 12 inches apart for adequate growth and air circulation.
‘Florida Sweetheart’ caladiums are well-suited for container planting, which can provide warmer soil temperatures, particularly in cooler climates. When planting in pots, select containers with adequate drainage holes to prevent water accumulation. They also make good additions to garden beds, especially in partial shade, where their colors can be showcased effectively.
Managing Dormancy for Caladium Florida Sweetheart
Caladium ‘Florida Sweetheart’ enters natural dormancy as temperatures cool in autumn. Proper care during this phase preserves tubers for the next growing season.
As foliage begins to yellow and die back, gradually reduce watering. Once leaves have completely withered, watering should cease entirely. In regions where winter temperatures drop below 13°C (55°F), tubers should be dug up before the first frost. After digging, gently remove excess soil and allow tubers to air-dry in a warm, shady spot for about a week.
Store dried tubers in a well-ventilated, dry medium such as sphagnum moss, vermiculite, or a mesh bag. An ideal storage temperature is between 13-15°C (55-60°F). Tubers stored in their pots can remain undisturbed indoors, provided the soil is completely dry to prevent rot. In warmer climates (USDA Zones 10-11), tubers may be left in the ground with a layer of mulch for insulation.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While Caladium ‘Florida Sweetheart’ is robust, environmental factors can cause issues. Promptly addressing these problems helps maintain plant health.
Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, underwatering, or the plant entering dormancy. Adjust watering frequency to ensure consistently moist but not soggy soil. Brown or scorched leaf edges often result from too much direct sunlight, low humidity, or over-fertilization. Moving the plant to a shadier location, increasing humidity, and ensuring proper fertilizer application can mitigate these symptoms.
Stunted growth may occur if tubers are exposed to low temperatures during storage or planting, or if roots are restricted in too small a container. Repotting into a larger container or ensuring appropriate planting temperatures can promote better development. Caladiums can occasionally encounter pests like spider mites or aphids. Fungal issues, such as root rot or leaf spots, are typically linked to overly wet conditions or poor air circulation. Inspecting plants regularly and employing appropriate treatments, like insecticidal soap for pests or improving air flow, helps manage these concerns.