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Heart to Heart® 'Chinook' Sun or Shade Caladium Caladium hortulanum

Exposure
  • Sun or Shade
Flower Season
  • Spring
  • Summer
Mature Size
20" 10" 51cm 25cm
Height: 15" - 20"
Spread: 8" - 10"
Height: 38cm - 51cm
Spread: 20cm - 25cm
  • 15 - 20 Inches
    8 - 10 Inches
    8 - 10 Inches
    38cm - 51cm
    20cm - 25cm
    20cm - 25cm

    Features

    This distinctive caladium is easy to pick out of a crowd because of its unique salmon pink leaves outlined in emerald green. Deep pink veining accents the elongated heart-shaped leaves. Heart to Heart ‘Chinook’ caladium tolerates both sun and shade conditions in most climates. In more sun, its coloring will be a more intense coral tone, becoming pastel salmon pink in part shade to full shade.

     

    Heart to Heart ‘Chinook’ caladium grows beautifully in patio planters, window boxes and hanging baskets, either on its own or paired with other medium vigor plants. This caladium is also useful for adding a bright spot of continuous color to sunny or shaded garden beds.

     

    Note: Caladiums can be an irritant if ingested. Please consult the ASPCA about which plants may be harmful to pets if you have a concern.

    Foliage Interest
    Heat Tolerant
    Deadheading Not Necessary
    Resists: 
    Deer

    Characteristics

    Plant Type: 
    Annual
    Height Category: 
    Medium
    Garden Height: 
    15 - 20 Inches 38cm - 51cm
    Spacing: 
    8 - 10 Inches 20cm - 25cm
    Spread: 
    8 - 10 Inches 20cm - 25cm
    Foliage Colors: 
    Green
    Foliage Colors: 
    Orange
    Foliage Colors: 
    Pink
    Foliage Shade: 
    Salmon, Pink and Green
    Habit: 
    Upright
    Container Role: 
    Thriller

    Plant Needs

    Light Requirement: 
    Sun or Shade

    The 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: 
    Easy
    Bloom Time: 
    Grown for Foliage
    Hardiness Zones: 
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
    Water Category: 
    Average
    Uses: 
    Border Plant
    Uses: 
    Container
    Uses: 
    Landscape
    Uses: 
    Mass Planting
    Uses Notes: 

    This heat tolerant caladium plant is great in landscapes and containers and will grow well in sunny to shady locations. 

    Maintenance Notes: 

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

     

     

    Since Heart to Heart 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.

     

    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. Chinook caladium 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 heat tolerant 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.

    Fun Facts: 

    2026 National Caladium of the Year.

    Heart to Heart® 'Chinook' Caladium hortulanum USPP 27,094
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    Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.
    • Love this color as a choice other than pink as it is more of a coral color. Thank you for introducing this beauty!

      Rebecca Zimmerman
      , Ohio
      , United States
      , 6 years ago
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