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Plant Information

Heart to Heart® Va Va Violet

Caladium

General Information GROWING TIPS

The first violet variety on the market. Leaves are lavender and green. Great in landscapes and containers and will grow well in shade to partial shade locations. They can also be grown indoors as a houseplant. Fertilize at 1/4 to 1/2 strength every week.

Heart to Heart® Va Va Violet
Blossom Color No Blossoms
Bloom Season No Blossoms
Exposure Part Shade to Shade
Height 15-20 in
Width 8-10 in
Spacing 8-10 in
Container Sizes Quart, 6.5", 8.5"
Hardiness Zones 10, 11
Wildlife Attracted No Wildlife Attracted
Wildlife Deterred Deer
Features The first violet variety on the market. Leaves are lavender and green. Great in landscapes and containers and will grow well in shade to partial shade locations. They can also be grown indoors as a houseplant. Fertilize at 1/4 to 1/2 strength every week.
Adaptable as a Houseplant No
Bog Plant No
Is Disease Resistant No
Drought Tolerant No
Edible No
Erosion Control No
Fragrant Flower No
Fragrant Foilage No
Heat Tolerant Yes
Native to North America No
Salt Tolerant No
Succulent No
Water Plant No
Uses

This violet strap leaf caladium is great in landscapes and containers and will grow well in shade to partial shade locations. 

Maintenance Notes

Caladiums can be an irritant if ingested. The ASPCA has more information on which plants may be harmful.

 

 

Since Va Va Violet caladiums prefers heat and humidity and do not tolerate cold, soggy soils, for most gardeners who live in the north will have best results in containers, 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 for this caladium foliage plant.

 

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. This caladium foliage plant likes to be moist at all times so avoid allowing them to dry out as it also causes leaves to yellow and drop.

 
Where the Va Va Violet caladium 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.