Caladium Painters Palette

Caladium Painters Palette Care

Persicaria Virginiana 'painter's Palette'

What is the plant

Persicaria virginiana is a vigorous perennial native to Missouri. It typically forms a spreading foliage mound 2-3 feet tall and as wide or wider. Broad, oval, medium green leaves. Tiny, white to greenish-white, beady, jumpseed-like flowers on long, slender, wand-like stems appear in mid to late summer, but are not particularly showy. Sheathed stem joints are a distinctive characteristic of all plants in this genus. Synonymous with and sometimes also sold as Polygonum virginianum or Tovara virginiana. Variegated cultivars are more commonly grown for their showy foliage. Genus name comes from the Latin persica meaning peach-like and sagittata meaning barbed or arrow-shaped in reference to the shape of the leaves. Specific epithet means of Virginia. ‘Painter’s Palette’ is grown primarily for its attractive, variegated foliage. It typically forms a spreading foliage mound 18-24” tall and as wide. Broad, oval, medium green leaves (to 10” long) are marbled and splashed with creamy white, yellow and a touch of pink, with each leaf having a large central chocolate-red chevron. Synonymous with and sometimes also sold as Polyganum virginianum ‘Painter’s Palette’ or Tovara virginiana ‘Painter’s Palette’ or Tovara filiforma ‘Painter’s Palette’.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

min 18°C

Hardiness zone

4 - 8

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
When leaves appear on the plant, water as needed to keep the soil evenly moist. Never let the plant dry out. Stop watering the plant when the leaves start to die back. Resume watering when the leaves reappear next season.
Fertilizer
Fertilize the plant weekly during the growing season with liquid fertilizer or use slow-release pellets.
Sunlight
Caladium plants prefer indirect light or moderate shade indoors. The narrower the leaves, the greater the sun they can withstand. Growing them outdoors in containers gives you more control over light conditions.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Plant caladium in a rich, well-drained potting mix, such as a damp mix of soil and peat. Garden soil should be similarly rich and well-drained. The ideal soil pH is slightly acidic, at 5.5 to 6.2.
Temperature
The warmer, the better, for caladium houseplants. Aim for 70 degrees Fahrenheit, if possible, as that is the temperature at which tubers begin to grow.
Additional
All parts of the caladium plant are poisonous, both to people and animals. Use caution when you have caladiums around children or pets.