How to Grow Blushing Princess
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Blushing Princess
Caladium bicolor 'Blushing Princess'
flowerBlushing Princess is a stunning tropical caladium cultivar prized for its large, heart-shaped leaves featuring deep pink or red centers that gradually fade to white or pale pink toward the margins. The dramatic foliage creates an eye-catching display in shaded gardens and indoor spaces. This tender perennial thrives in warm, humid conditions and is grown primarily for its ornamental foliage rather than flowers.
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Example Blushing Princess timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Blushing Princess
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Blushing Princess blooms
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blushing Princess dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10-11; can be grown in zones 9 and cooler as an annual or container plant brought indoors
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Get my Blushing Princess timeline →Growth Stages
Dormancy & Tuber Preparation
Variable; plant 4-6 weeks before outdoor plantingCaladium tubers are inactive, hard, and may show sprouting eyes. Store in cool, dry conditions.
Plant tubers indoors in late winter/early spring for summer growth. Choose firm, disease-free tubers. Soak tubers briefly in warm water before planting to stimulate sprouting.
Sprouting & Early Growth
2-4 weeksTubers develop roots and first shoots emerge. Small leaves unfurl, initially pale or underdeveloped in color.
Keep soil warm (70-80°F), consistently moist, and in bright indirect light. Maintain high humidity. Avoid cold temperatures which cause rot.
Vegetative & Leaf Expansion
4-8 weeksMultiple heart-shaped leaves emerge with developing pink and white color patterns. Plant becomes bushier and more vigorous.
Maintain bright indirect light and warm temperatures. Water regularly and feed monthly with balanced, diluted fertilizer. Support tall petioles if needed. Ensure humidity stays high.
Peak Foliage Display
6-12 weeks (throughout summer growing season)Plant reaches mature size with large, fully colored leaves displaying the characteristic blushing pink-to-white gradient. Occasional small flowers may appear but are insignificant.
Continue regular watering and monthly feeding through growing season. Remove any flower spikes to direct energy to foliage. Monitor for pests and disease.
Dormancy & Decline
4-8 weeks (fall through winter)As temperatures cool in fall, foliage yellows and begins to die back. Tubers enter dormancy for winter rest.
Gradually reduce watering as leaves fade. Stop fertilizing. Allow leaves to drop naturally. Dig up tubers in cooler climates before frost, clean, and store in cool, dry location. Or leave in pots to dry out.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity; mist foliage regularly; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe
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Remove affected leaves; improve air circulation; use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil if infestation develops
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Inspect regularly, especially leaf undersides; remove with cotton swab dipped in alcohol; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap
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Remove manually; spray with neem oil or horticultural oil; improve air circulation
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Ensure well-draining soil and do not overwater; allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings; repot in fresh soil if detected; improve air circulation
Uses
Ornamental Foliage Display
HouseholdBlushing Princess is prized for creating dramatic indoor and outdoor decorative displays. The vibrant pink-and-white variegated leaves add tropical elegance to shade gardens, containers, and living spaces. [source]
Container & Indoor Gardening
HouseholdThrives in pots and containers in bright indirect light, making it ideal for patios, entryways, office spaces, and conservatories. Can be overwintered indoors in cool climates. [source]
Cut Foliage & Floral Arrangements
CraftStriking leaves are excellent for tropical-style floral arrangements, plant displays, and decorative compositions. The distinctive coloring lasts well when cut. [source]
Shade Garden Landscaping
WildlifeAdds vertical interest and textural contrast to shaded garden beds alongside ferns, hostas, and other shade-loving plants, enhancing landscape biodiversity through layered plantings. [source]
Harvest Tips
Caladiums are grown for foliage display, not harvest. Pinch off inconspicuous flower spikes to direct energy to leaf production. In cooler zones, dig up tubers in fall after first frost kills foliage, clean, dry completely, and store in cool (50-60°F), dark, dry location. In mild zones, tubers can remain in ground through winter.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Caladiums have been cultivated for over 1,800 years, originating from tropical South America where they grow naturally in moist rainforest understory environments.
- 🌱 The name 'caladium' likely derives from the Tupi word 'taioba,' and the plant was historically used by indigenous peoples of the Amazon region.
- 🌱 Despite their delicate appearance, caladium leaves are surprisingly toxic if ingested due to calcium oxalate crystals, causing mouth and throat irritation in humans and pets.
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