Heart to Heart® 'Hot 2 Trot' Sun and Shade Caladium Caladium hortulanum
- Sun or Shade
- Spring
- Summer
-
15 - 20 Inches10 - 14 Inches10 - 14 Inches38cm - 51cm25cm - 36cm25cm - 36cm
Features
Caladium ‘Hot 2 Trot’ features leaves that are a strong deep red with a green border, creating a fiery hot red caladium for bold foliage displays. It has broad leaves and very deep red foliage typical of a premium red caladium. Hot 2 Trot caladium has a mounding habit, making it good for hanging baskets and landscape borders as a versatile sun tolerant caladium. It is sun tolerant and was awarded Best in Show in the 2020 Penn State Flower Trials, proving itself as a reliable sun tolerant caladium. Caladiums are also generally considered to be houseplants where they prefer bright light or a sunny window, making this an excellent caladium houseplant option.
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:RedFoliage Shade:Green Border with Red CenterHabit:MoundedContainer Role:FillerPlant 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, Hot 2 Trot caladium will grow well in sunny and shady locations as both a sun tolerant caladium and dependable caladium for shade. They work well in the middle of borders, are great as fillers in combination and wonderfully planted alone in hanging baskets and patio planters as a striking red caladium. Caladium foliage also makes a wonderful component in cut flower arrangements.
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 growing them in containers or as a caladium for shade, 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. Hot 2 Trot 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 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® 'Hot 2 Trot' Caladium hortulanum 'RUF 1522-3' USPP 33,615 -
Award Year Award Plant Trial 2021 Top Performer Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden 2021 Director's Select Penn State University -
