What to Plant with Caladiums in Pots: 15 Winning Container Companions

Caladiums are the undisputed divas of the shade garden. Their outrageously colorful, artistically shaped leaves steal the show in any setting. While caladiums shine on their own, combining them with complementary companion plants in pots can take the visual interest to a whole new level.

The key is choosing plant partners that enhance the caladiums’ dramatic foliar display rather than compete with it. When planning container plantings, look for companion plants that:

• Have contrasting textures like ruffled, trailing, fine, or lacy leaves
• Provide harmonizing or contrasting colors that make the caladiums pop
• Share similar light and watering needs
• Bloom at different times to extend the floral display
• Help control common potted plant pests like aphids or fungus gnats

Here are 15 winning companion plants for combining with caladiums in patio pots and hanging baskets:

1. Trailing Plants

Plants that trail over container edges complement caladiums’ broad upright leaves. Top options include:

• Lysimachia (Creeping Jenny) – Chartreuse trailing foliage
• Scaevola (Fan flower) – Light blue trailing flowers
• Bacopa – White trailing blooms
• Fuchsia – Pendant pink or purple blooms

Let these trailing plants serve as “spillers” around the caladiums as the “thriller” focal point. Display the pot in partial sun for best results.

2. Fine-Textured Plants

Delicate, lacy foliage makes nice contrast next to caladium’s bold tropical leaves. Great choices include:

• Asparagus fern – Lacy light green foliage
• Artemisia ‘Silver Brocade’ – Finely cut silver-gray leaves
• Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ – Cascading silver fan-shaped leaves
• Sweet potato vine – Chartreuse trailing vines

3. Large-Leaved Plants

Partner caladiums with large-leaved plants that match their dramatic tropical vibe:

• Colocasia (Elephant ear) – Huge heart-shaped leaves
• Alocasia – Upright pleated leaves
• Banana – Large broad lush leaves
• Cannas – Long leaves with tropical flair

The similar leaf shapes and sizes create cohesion while the contrasting colors and textures add interest.

4. Spiky Plants

Upright spiky foliage balances caladium’s shields and spears. Good options include

• Cordyline ‘Red Star’ – Red grass-like color
• Crocosmia – Sword-like pleated leaves
• Iris domestica – Slender blackberry lily leaves
• Liatris spicata – Grass-like purple foliage

5. Colorful Foliage

With caladium leaves available in an incredible spectrum of colors and patterns complement them with other vivid leaves

• Coleus – Kaleidoscopic colorful leaves
• Alternanthera – Purple, pink, or red leaves
• Heuchera -Ruffled leaves in lime, red and purple
• Setcreasea pallida – Trailing purple foliage

6. Mounding Foliage

Mounding foliage helps fill empty spaces and adds fullness to mixed caladium pots. Consider:

• Begonias – Green, red or bronzed leaves
• Impatiens – Colorful blooms and foliage
• Torenia – Mounding purple flowers
• Calibrachoa – Mounding petunia-like blooms

7. Vining Foliage

Add height and versatility with vining foliage that climbs up trellises or drapes gracefully over pot edges, such as:

• Ivy – Cascading green leaves
• Mandevilla – Pink trumpet-shaped blooms
• Jasmine – Fragrant vining foliage
• Thunbergia – Black-eyed Susan vine

8. Flowering Plants

While caladiums shine with their artistic leaves, flowers contribute pops of color. Top picks include:

• Pentas – Bright star-shaped blooms
• Verbena – Clusters of tiny flowers
• Scaevola – Fan-shaped blue flowers
• Lantana – Multicolored bloom clusters

9. Fragrant Plants

Scents complement caladiums’ visual richness. Fragrant options include:

• Gardenia – Classic white blooms
• Jasmine – Sweet vining flowers
• Angel wing jasmine – Fragrant white blooms
• Nicotiana – Night-fragrant tobacco

10. Silver-Leafed Plants

Shimmering silver foliage illuminates caladiums’ shady leaves. Consider:

• Dusty miller – Silver lacy leaves
• Persian shield – Iridescent silvery-purple leaves
• Silver falls dichondra – Sparkling silver fan leaves

11. Chartreuse Foliage

The electrifying color of chartreuse makes caladium hues pop. Options include:

• Golden creeping jenny – Chartreuse trailing leaves
• Licorice plant – Lime green trailing foliage
• Sweet potato vine – Vibrant chartreuse leaves
• Caladium ‘Lime Zinger’ – Bold chartreuse leaves

12. Dichondra

Dichondra’s fan-shaped silver foliage creates nice contrast beside caladiums’ tropical leaves. Let it trail over pot edges for a flowing cascading effect. ‘Silver Falls’ is a popular variety, but green leaf dichondra also pairs well.

13. Vines

Trailing vines like ivy offer cascading greenery that complements caladium’s wide leaves. Other good options include star jasmine with its fragrant white blooms and purple hyacinth bean vine. Just be sure the vine has enough support to climb up.

14. Grasses

Ornamental grasses pair nicely with caladiums by providing soft wispy texture. Try Philippine blue grass for its shimmering purplish color or compact liriope for strappy green leaves. Place the grasses around the edges to frame the caladiums.

15. Succulents

Succulents make unexpected yet perfect pot partners for caladiums. Their sculptural shapes and textures contrast beautifully with caladiums’ big, bold leaves. Some fun combinations:

• Aloe – Spiky textured rosettes
• Echeveria- Rounded blue hued leaves
• Hens and chicks – Clumping pink foliage

With so many options for fabulous foliage and flower combinations, the creative possibilities are endless. Use these companion plants to highlight caladiums as the superstars of your container garden. Their exotic tropical colors and shapes will shine when surrounded by these special supporting players.

Here are some tips for growing thriving caladium/companion pots:

• Select a container at least 10-12 inches wide and deep. Caladiums have large tubers and roots.

• Use a well-draining potting soil, not heavy garden dirt.

• Plant caladium tubers 2-3 inches deep and 8-12 inches apart. Fill in between with companions.

• Site in part sun to full shade. Caladiums prefer 4-6 hours of sun, especially in cooler climates.

• Keep soil consistently moist, watering whenever the top inch dries out. Caladiums dislike dry soil.

• Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.

• Watch for common pests like aphids, mealybugs, and fungus gnats. Treat organically as needed.

With the right companion plants and care, caladium combos will beautify patios, entryways, and other spots with lush tropical flair all season long. Their artistic leaves and multi-hued colors create stunning displays guaranteed to draw admiring looks.

Now that you’re armed with companion plant ideas, it’s time to start creating gorgeous mixed caladium pots for your patio or garden. The blend of contrasting textures, trailing greenery, vibrant flowers, and fabulous foliage will showcase the caladiums as the shining superstars they are.