Caladiums are an excellent choice for these areas and come in a variety of colors. These foliage plants come in two main types, narrowleaf caladiums and fancy-leaved caladiums, says Dr. Dave Williams, Extension horticulturist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Both types prefer well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Plant caladiums where they can receive morning sun and shade for the remainder of the day.
Caladiums also grow well in containers.
If you plant caladiums, start with good quality tubers, says Williams. They can be purchased either at local garden centers or through catalogs. When planting, it can be difficult to decide what's the top of the tuber. Look for a small puckered area in the center. The plant sprouts from this area, so it should be planted facing up.