Leaf Detail Portrait

Caladium 'Red Flash'

Red Flash Caladium

Quick Facts

growth HabitTuberous, seasonal — dies back to a dormant tuber each year
mature SizeLarge (30-45 cm)
lightBright indirect light to light shade
humidityModerate to high (55-75%)
temperature20-29°C when in active growth
difficultyEasy to Intermediate
growth SpeedFast (in season)
View Care Guide
Part of the Caladium bicolor familyCultivar££ · UncommonMediumCultivated selection of Caladium bicolor.

Morphology

leaf ShapeBroad cordateHeart-shaped foliage, featuring a rounded notch (sinus) where the leaf stem attaches. (heart-shaped)
leaf Length25-40 cm
leaf Width18-30 cm
petiole ColorGreen to reddish
venationBold crimson-red radiating from the central veins
textureThin, papery
variegationCrimson-red splashes along the veins over a green blade, flecked with smaller pink and white spots
growth HabitClump of leaves from a below-ground tuber; dormant in winter

About

Red Flash is a large, dramatic Caladium cultivar with bold splashes of crimson-red radiating out from the central veins over a green blade, flecked with smaller pink and white spots throughout. It is one of the larger-leaved cultivars in the bicolor family and among the most visually striking, but like the rest of the family it is fully deciduous, dying back to its tuber each year.

Market Analysis

Auction History & Retail Data

Historical eBay auction metrics and live retailer listings updated weekly.

No eBay auction history available yet. Data is collected automatically as sales appear on eBay UK.

Before You Buy

Shared checklist for Caladium bicolor and its cultivated forms

  • If buying a dormant tuber, check it is firm and plump, not soft, shrivelled or mouldy
  • Confirm whether you are buying a live growing plant (in leaf) or a dormant out-of-season tuber
  • Established leafy plants should show firm, unblemished foliage without scorch marks

Propagation Guide

Growing More Plants

Shared across every form of Caladium bicolor — see this form's own Morphology for variegation-specific propagation notes.

Methods
Tuber division
Difficulty
Easy
Time to Establish

6-10 weeks from tuber to full leaf

True From Cuttings
Yes

Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings

Divide dormant tubers so each section retains at least one visible growth eye, then pot up as growth resumes in spring.

Care Guide

Growing Conditions

General care shared across all forms of Caladium bicolor — cultivated forms may need brighter light or higher humidity than the plain species; check this form's Quick Facts above.

Substrate

Light, free-draining mix: 50% potting compost, 30% perlite, 20% coco coir.

Watering

Keep evenly moist throughout active growth; stop watering almost entirely once the foliage dies back for dormancy.

Humidity

55-75% preferred during active growth for the largest leaves.

Fertilising

Balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every 2-3 weeks during active growth; none during dormancy.

Repotting

Repot the dormant tuber into fresh substrate each spring when new growth begins.

Common Problems

Problem

Tuber rot over winter

Cause

Substrate kept too wet during dormancy

Fix

Keep the dormant tuber nearly dry and store in a cool, frost-free spot until spring

Problem

No regrowth in spring

Cause

Tuber temperature too low, or tuber was damaged/rotted

Fix

Ensure the tuber is kept above roughly 18°C once you want it to resprout, and check it is still firm before replanting

Problem

Scorched or bleached leaves

Cause

Direct hot sun

Fix

Move to bright indirect light or light shade — most Caladium foliage scorches in direct summer sun

Retail Price?The average price across tracked UK retailers (nurseries and specialty stores).
Not tracked
Not currently stocked by tracked UK retailers
Market Trend?Calculated by comparing average auction sales from the past 30 days against the preceding 60 days.
Not enough history to calculate a trend

How prices are calculated: The AA Price uses online sold listings converted to GBP at current exchange rates, excluding extreme outliers to ensure a fair-value guide. Falls back to UK retail average when auction data is unavailable.