Hearts Desire Caladium Bulbs | Fancy Leaf Tropical Foliage

White Center, Red-Purple Speckles — A Truly Unique Caladium

Hearts Desire is a distinct and patented caladium cultivar with a truly special appearance: heart-shaped green leaves with a luminous white center, white mid and primary veins, and numerous red-purple spots and speckles scattered along the netted veins throughout the leaf. The mounding growth habit and the interplay of green, white, and red-purple makes Hearts Desire one of the most visually complex and rewarding caladiums available — beautiful in both sunny and shady landscapes and absolutely stunning in containers.

Plant Highlights

• Leaf type: Fancy leaf — heart-shaped, mounding habit
• Colors: Green leaves with white center, white primary veins, and red-purple speckles along netted veins
• Light: Sunny or shady landscapes — highly adaptable
• USDA Zones: 9–11 (lift tubers in fall in colder zones)
• Great for: Containers, landscaping, mixed borders, shaded and sunny spots
• Thrives in: Heat and humidity

How to Plant Caladium Bulbs

Plant tubers flat side down, eyes facing up, 2 inches deep. Wait until soil temperature reaches 65–70°F and nights are consistently warm. For more uniform, leafier container plants, de-eye tubers before planting by removing primary sprouts with a paring knife. Cover with 1.5–2 inches of soil and water well.

Care Tips

• Soil: Well-draining potting mix with high organic content; improve garden soil with compost at planting time
• Water: Keep evenly moist; avoid waterlogging. Occasional liquid fertilizer during the growing season supports lush growth
• Light: Adaptable to sun or shade; provide afternoon shade in the hottest climates for best color
• Winter storage: In zones below 9, dig tubers in fall and store in a cool, dry place until spring

Hearts Desire brings something truly different to the caladium world — its green-white-purple speckled foliage is a conversation starter in any garden or container.