Today, caladiums can be found in collector greenhouses across Australia, but their journey began thousands of kilometres away.
From South America to France
Caladiums originate mainly from tropical South America, particularly Brazil. In the 18th century, European botanists began collecting and documenting these remarkable plants.
By the 1850s–1860s, French and European horticulturists were actively selecting and hybridising caladiums. Early cultivars such as ‘Candidum’ helped establish caladium as a prized ornamental plant.
America Takes the Lead
Caladiums reached a much wider audience after the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where hundreds of hybrid caladiums were displayed.
In the early 1900s, horticulturists such as Henry Nehrling and Theodore Mead became important figures in American caladium breeding.
Florida eventually became the centre of the world’s commercial caladium industry, producing famous cultivars such as ‘Fannie Munson’, ‘Red Flash’, ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Aaron’.
In 1976, the University of Florida began a dedicated caladium breeding program, later producing many modern cultivars.
Thailand Creates Its Own Caladium Culture
Thailand developed a very different caladium tradition.
Caladiums became established in Thailand generations ago, and Thai growers and collectors developed their own distinctive selections. Many are recognised for unusual colours, translucent leaves and intricate patterns.
One of the most famous examples internationally is ‘Thai Beauty’, also known in Thailand by names including Hong Long/Hok Long.
Unlike many commercial American cultivars, the history of some Thai varieties is less formally documented, which part of what makes them so interesting to collectors.
Caladium in Australia
Australia’s caladium story is less about large commercial farms and more about collectors and specialist growers.
Rare plants have often travelled quietly from collector to collector, with tubers being divided and shared over many years.
Today, Australian collectors may grow a fascinating mixture of historic American cultivars, Thai selections and locally grown seedlings.
The Collector’s Greenhouse
A collector’s greenhouse can therefore contain more than beautiful leaves.
A plant such as ‘Candidum’ connects us to nineteenth century European horticulture.
‘Fannie Munson’ and ‘Red Flash’ represent the great American breeding tradition.
‘Thai Beauty’ reflects Thailand’s distinctive collector culture.
And every new seedling represents something different. The possibility of an Australian caladium that has never existed before.
The caladium has travelled a remarkable distance. And its story is still being written.
One greenhouse, one collector and one new leaf at a time.
