Professional Growing Information This variety is my wife's favorite! It was also the caladium that sold out first at our greenhouse. Endurance, durability and beauty - what a combination.
Heart to Heart® 'Bottle Rocket' Sun or Shade Caladium Caladium hortulanum
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Exposure
- Sun or Shade
Flower Season
- Spring
- Summer
Mature Size
Height: 15" - 20"
Spread: 10" - 14"
Height: 38cm - 51cm
Spread: 25cm - 36cm
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15 - 20 Inches10 - 14 Inches10 - 14 Inches38cm - 51cm25cm - 36cm25cm - 36cm
Features
'Bottle Rocket' is a fancy leaf variety with a bright red center and primary veins, white panes and a green margin, ideal for caladium plant care in both sun and shade. It can be grown in both sun and shade conditions when learning how to grow caladiums. Bottle Rocket caladiums are also generally considered to be houseplants where they prefer bright light or a sunny window, making them excellent for growing caladiums indoors.
Caladiums can be an irritant if ingested. The ASPCA has more information on which plants may be harmful.
Award WinnerFoliage InterestHeat TolerantDeadheading Not NecessaryResists:DeerCharacteristics
Plant Type:AnnualHeight Category:MediumGarden Height:15 - 20 Inches 38cm - 51cmSpacing:10 - 14 Inches 25cm - 36cmSpread:10 - 14 Inches 25cm - 36cmFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Colors:PinkFoliage Colors:WhiteFoliage Shade:Green and White base with Hot Pink VeinsHabit:UprightContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Sun or ShadeThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBloom Time:Grown for FoliageHardiness Zones:10a, 10b, 11a, 11bWater Category:AverageUses:Border PlantUses:ContainerUses:LandscapeUses:Mass PlantingUses Notes:Great in landscapes and containers and will grow well in sun and shade locations with proper caladium plant care.
Maintenance Notes:Caladiums can be an irritant if ingested. The ASPCA has more information on which plants may be harmful.
Since Caladiums prefer heat and humidity and do not tolerate cold, soggy soils, for most gardeners who live in the north will have best results in containers when learning how to grow caladiums, as the soil in pots or planters warms up faster and has better drainage so plants will not become soggy. Remember for best growth always keep the temperatures above 65 F.
A ¼ - ½ strength fertilizing every week or every other week is fine throughout the season, too strong a fertilizer can burn leaves, and since the leaves last all season you want to keep them looking fresh. Caladiums like to be moist at all times so avoid allowing them to dry out as part of strong caladium plant care practices. It also causes leaves to yellow and drop.
Where the Bottle Rocket caladiums will do best depends a lot on your location within the US, since sunlight intensity varies depending on where you live. Here’s a quick reference to help guide you to help you succeed.
Region
When to Plant
Sun or Shade
Containers or in the garden
NW & NE United States & Canada
Early summer
Full sun - light shade.
Caladiums do best in containers in this part of the country and usually need to be in a protected warm location for best results. Like a sunroom or warm patio setting. If growing outdoors select the warmest protected locations in the garden.
SW United States
Spring
shade to light shade only
Containers may be easiest but a shady, cool garden spot can also be lovely. Watch your watering to keep the plants from drying out.
Midwest
Late Spring
Light shade
Containers are likely best, but a late spring planting into a protected shade flower bed will also be fine.
SE United States
Spring
Shade to sun
Both containers and garden plantings work fine, in the deep south Caladiums may even come back the following year if kept dry over the winter.
Heart to Heart® 'Bottle Rocket' Caladium hortulanum USPP 30,651 -
5142321Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.
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Dan L Smith, Tennessee, United States, 1 year ago
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Beautiful plant and super easy to care for. This is my first year planting Caladiums and am wondering what took me so long....so beautiful. I have this is my shade garden and it adds the perfect pop of color!
Becky, Michigan, United States, 5 years ago
Award Year Award Plant Trial 2022 Top Performer Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden -
