‘Splash of Wine’ Caladium is a visually captivating ornamental plant, celebrated for its vibrant, artistic foliage. It introduces rich color and texture to garden beds or containers, and also serves as an engaging houseplant.
Understanding ‘Splash of Wine’ Caladium
The ‘Splash of Wine’ Caladium, a fancy-leaf cultivar, showcases distinctive heart-shaped foliage with an upright, mounding growth habit, typically reaching 15-20 inches in height and 10-14 inches in width. Its elongated leaves are primarily white to soft pink, offering a bright canvas. Dark green venation spans across the leaf surface, providing a striking contrast. Over this background, cranberry red to pink splotches are densely distributed, creating an abstract, painterly effect, giving the plant its namesake appearance.
Cultivating ‘Splash of Wine’ Caladium
Light Requirements
‘Splash of Wine’ Caladium thrives in partial to full shade, benefiting from approximately four hours of daily sunlight. This light exposure, ideally 40 to 60 percent shade, helps maintain its vibrant leaf coloration.
Direct sun can scorch the foliage, causing brown-edged holes and faded hues. Conversely, inadequate light may result in stretched stems and reduced plant vigor.
Watering Needs
‘Splash of Wine’ Caladium needs consistent soil moisture, avoiding both dryness and waterlogging.
For potted plants, water when the top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry. In garden beds, weekly watering is often sufficient during dry periods. Uniformly moist, not saturated, soil prevents wilting or tuber rot.
Soil Preferences
‘Splash of Wine’ Caladium prefers well-draining, slightly acidic soil, ideally with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Incorporating compost or chopped leaves enriches garden soil. For containers, a quality potting mix with peat moss or coco coir ensures both drainage and moisture retention.
Temperature and Humidity
‘Splash of Wine’ Caladium flourishes in warm environments, ideally between 75-80°F during the day and above 65°F at night.
Temperatures consistently below 50°F can harm these tropical plants. High humidity, around 60-75%, is also important. Using a pebble tray with water or grouping plants can help increase ambient moisture.
Fertilization
‘Splash of Wine’ Caladium benefits from regular fertilization during its active growing season to support vibrant foliage.
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, like a 1-1-1 or 2-2-3 N-P-K ratio, at one-quarter to half strength every one to two weeks. Do not apply to dry soil. Over-fertilization, particularly with high nitrogen, can burn leaves, cause poor color, or lead to stretching and brown spots.
Planting and Placement
Plant ‘Splash of Wine’ Caladium bulbs in spring once outdoor air temperatures consistently reach 60°F and soil temperatures exceed 65°F. Early planting in cool soil can hinder growth or cause tuber rot. Position bulbs with the pointed end or “eyes” facing upwards, about 1.5 to 2 inches below the soil surface. Space individual bulbs 8-10 inches apart, or 10-14 inches for mass plantings.
‘Splash of Wine’ Caladium excels in shaded garden beds and outdoor containers. As an indoor houseplant, it needs a bright, indirect light location and can transition indoors as outdoor temperatures cool.
Dormancy and Winter Care
‘Splash of Wine’ Caladiums naturally enter dormancy in late fall as temperatures cool. In freezing climates, tubers should be lifted.
Gradually reduce watering and cease fertilization as foliage yellows. Once leaves fade, gently dig tubers, remove soil, and air dry for one to two weeks in a warm, ventilated space. Store dried tubers in a dark, ventilated area at 60-68°F, nestled in dry peat or vermiculite. Potted plants can remain in their containers, allowing soil to dry. After at least 10 weeks of rest, replant in spring.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Yellowing leaves often signal insufficient or excessive watering; maintain consistently moist, not soggy, soil. Nutrient deficiencies may also cause yellowing, requiring balanced fertilization. Over-fertilization can lead to poor leaf color, stretching, or brown spots, so reduce feeding strength if observed. Lack of vibrant variegation or stretched stems indicates insufficient light. If leaves show bleached color, brown edges, or holes, the plant receives too much direct sun and needs a shadier location.