A highly popular and demanded Caladium is the Fannie Munson. Its translucent leaves, colored deep green with purplish-pink veins, form an exceedingly pleasing sight.
Some varieties may even develop dark green veins with pink midribs, which are equally beautiful. The plant is mainly grown for its large, showy, variegated foliage.
The Fannie Munson plant hails from the Araceae family, having over 3750 discovered species. The Caladiums are widely grown in several parts of America, Mexico, and Peru.
You may individually grow Fannie Munson or as bedding plants. Many house gardeners grow it as a hanging plant indoors or put it in containers outdoors.
This beauty is not an annual plant; however, some varieties may survive the harsh winters with extra care. It is closely associated with the Angel Wings Caladium and has several similar features.
Overall, the Fannie Munson plant is a hassle-free plant, but it may need some additional maintenance if planted outdoors.
Fortunately, we are here to make things considerably easy for you with this simple plant guide.
Table of Contents
Fannie Munson Caladium Plant Care
The Fannie Munson Caladium thrives in partial shade to bright, indirect sunlight. Grow it in fertile soil containing organic matter. It enjoys average to mildly moist conditions. It reaches about 24 in (61 cm) when fully mature with regular watering and monthly feeding with a slow-release fertilizer. Keep temperatures between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit (18-21 degrees Celsius).
Soil
All the Caladiums, including the Fannie Munson plant, are not too picky about their soils. They manage exceptionally well in acidic, neutral, as well as alkaline soils.
However, if the soil pH is slightly low, chances are you will grow a healthier plant.
The ideal pH for the Fannie Munson Caladium plant is 5.5 to 6.5. The mild acidity increases plant productivity and also allows for optimal nutrient balancing and distribution.
It does not only make the uptake of macronutrients easier but also aids in absorbing trace elements, such as calcium and manganese.
Organic matter, including mushroom compost, aged animal manure, and green manures (cover crops), further enhance soil fertility, leading to healthier and relatively faster growth.
I suggest adding the matter in the top to middle layer as plants’ roots are often located in the soil’s upper 6 inches.
Please remember to keep the Fannie Munson Caladium’s soil evenly moist so that the plant has access to abundant moisture at all times. If allowed to dry, it may form yellow leaves or leaf spots.
Water
The Caladiums are tropical plants, and so they highly enjoy thorough regular watering.
Although the plant does not grow as well as it grows in its natural habitat, with consistent watering, the plant flourishes greatly and produces lovely blooms.
Water the Fannie Munson Caladium plant every two days, adding water from the top preferably. When you begin growing it, see if the two-days watering schedule suits it.
If yes, continue this frequency. However, if your plant is drying out pretty quickly, I recommend daily watering.
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant’s watering frequency is also dependent on its environment. In the summers, regular watering works reasonably well.
On the other hand, the plant does not lose water as quickly when the weather is cooler in the winters. Thus, even watering after three days is sufficient.
If you are still having trouble determining when your Fannie Munson Caladium plant needs water, you may rely on its soil’s condition.
See if the soil’s dry or moist, and water appropriately. Usually, assessment of the top two to three inches proves to be fairly reliable.
I also suggest using lukewarm, chlorine-free water. If it is too hot or cold, the Fannie Munson Caladium plant undergoes shock.
In most cases, reviving such a plant becomes a difficult task. To eliminate chlorine, let a bucketful of water sit overnight.
The next day use it for watering, following the same schedule.
Light
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant has translucent leaves that are noticeably sensitive to sunlight. If exposed to the direct sun rays for long hours, the leaves’ tips begin to scorch.
As time passes, the leaves lose their characteristic shape and color and shed off.
To avoid such mishaps and ensure good growth, plant the Fannie Munson Caladium where there is bright, dappled sunlight to deep shade.
Check which setting is better for your particular Fannie Munson Caladium plant and place it accordingly. However, please be sure not to put it in direct, unobstructed sunlight.
Terraces with some covering, patios, and partially shaded balconies offer great sunlight settings for plants, such as the Fannie Munson Caladium.
An east or south-facing window inside your house is also a good place to put your Fannie Munson Caladium. Alternatively, you can use artificial growing lights.
The main point to consider here is that the Fannie Munson Caladium plant should not be put under the sun without any cover. The rays may cause irreversible damage or stunted growth.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for the Fannie Munson Caladium plant are 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit (18-21 degrees Celsius).
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant is tough; it does not easily dry out or lose productivity. It can grow fairly well even in urban pollution with less than the ideal conditions.
Similarly, it has quite a wide tolerance for temperature and rarely worries its planter.
Irrigate the Fannie Munson Caladium plant seeds in spring for successful plantation and growth when the danger of frost has passed.
Aside from the day temperatures, the nights should also be warm. Ideally, the soil should be at 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit (18-21 degrees Celsius).
The warmth helps the plant thrive and prevents it from losing moisture. It also significantly decreases the probability of shock due to cold and leaf frosting.
Although the Fannie Munson can tolerate temperatures as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius), I strongly suggest bringing it inside during the winter months.
Furthermore, throughout the growth phase, maintain temperatures above the 65-degree Fahrenheit mark.
Humidity
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant is pretty reactive to varying humidity levels. In its natural tropical habitat, it receives plenty of rain, and the moisture level remains high.
Therefore, the Fannie Munson Caladium expects similar hydration levels in its artificial surroundings.
Luckily, the Fannie Munson Caladium plant does not demand humidity greater than 80% like several tropical beauties.
However, for optimal growth, a level of 50% at least is a must. Anything lower will cause issues, such as retarded growth, wilting, and loss of turgidity.
I recommend growing your Fannie Munson Caladium plant in 60% to 80% humidity for the best results.
If your area is dry or receives inadequate rainfall, I recommend buying a humidifier from your local gardening shop. Alternatively, you can mist the Fannie Munson every other day.
Fertilizer
Another important Fannie Munson Caladium plant growth determinant is fertilizer. For those who think only the feeding frequency matters, this is not the case.
Finding the right type of feed and its ingredients also have immense importance.
The plants like the Caladiums should ideally be fed with high-quality fertilizers with balanced NPK ratios. It should primarily contain Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potassium.
Trace minerals, including Sulphur, manganese, and calcium, also perform significant functions.
Add a premium-quality liquid fertilizer every two weeks to your Fannie Munson Caladium plant. If using the slow-release type, add once monthly or follow the product’s instructions.
The former is preferred for instant feeding, while the latter is better for gradual feed breakdown.
Repotting
The Fannie Munson Caladium is an easy-to-grow plant; it does not require frequent repotting despite its fairly large size.
You can change its pot if there seems to be a problem with its growth patterns, such as slow development and inadequate drainage, or if the pot is cracked.
Another reason to repot is insufficient root spacing. The Fannie Munson Caladium plant likes having a decent amount of space to itself; therefore, forcibly crowding it into a small pot is not a good idea.
If it has outgrown its pot, transfer the Fannie Munson Caladium plant to a larger pot with good drainage.
Moreover, please be sure to refresh the soil’s nutrients and add some water at the end.
Pruning
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant is a fairly large plant with big leaves, so it takes plenty of space, whether outdoors or indoors.
While outdoors, you may not have much trouble, having a huge plant indoors, blocking a path, or taking excessive space, can be a problem.
If such is the case, grab a pair of clean pruning shears and begin cutting off a few unruly vines, preferably from the lower ends.
Make sure that you get rid of diseased foliage as well and vines that are supporting old, damaged leaves.
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant is toxic to humans and animals; thus, I recommend wearing gloves and protective clothing while handling it.
Propagation
Propagating the Fannie Munson Caladium plant is a fun task if you have the right tools and some basic knowledge about its preferences.
For successful propagation, follow these steps:
- Prepare a soil mix in a deep container with at least three drainage holes. You can also use a recyclable plastic bag for growing the plant initially.
- The soil mix should contain some ground soil, and most importantly, organic matter (peat moss, dried leaves, worm castings, etc.,)
- Now take a mature Fannie Munson Caladium plant and pull it out of its pot.
- Cut it from the center, where you see the base of the healthy branches.
- Separate the sections completely. You may use scissors.
- Now shorten the roots using scissors again.
- Make a hole in the soil mix that you have prepared, making a bed.
- Put the Fannie Munson Caladium plant in the hole before spreading its roots.
- Tie the plant to a wooden stick if necessary.
- You may also add some mulch or rooting powder.
- Put in some fertilizer.
It may take thirty days or longer for the Fannie Munson Caladium plant to reach maturity; therefore, take good care during this time.
Blooms
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant gives rise to stunning deep green leaves with pink veins. Some varieties may also form green midribs meshed with pink, enhancing the plant’s look further.
The Fannie Munson plant is mostly popular for its foliage; however, it sprouts beautiful white or green flowers in the summers.
The blooms have no fragrance; thus, this plant is an excellent choice for those with allergies to floral smells.
Please note that not all varieties produce flowers, so please ask your local plant dealer before purchasing.
Growth
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant has a moderate to fast growth rate, depending on its care and environment.
The plant actively grows in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 15 and sunset zones H1 and H2.
When fully mature, the Fannie Munson Caladium plant reaches 12 to 30 inches (30.5 to 76.2 centimeters); however, most varieties only attain a height of 24 inches (61 centimeters).
The spread is about 12 to 20 inches (30.5 to 50.8 centimeters).
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant should ideally be planted in spring and grown throughout summers. It mostly becomes dormant in the winter season.
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Common Problems for the Fannie Munson Caladium Plant
Stunted Growth
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant is remarkably sensitive to temperature changes. Therefore, especially in very low temperatures, it stops growing or develops at an alarmingly slow rate.
This may occur due to various reasons; the most common one is storing the plant bulbs at lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) or higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).
The Fannie Munson Caladium bulbs exposed to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) may not grow at all.
The solution to erratic or slow growth is planting and growing the Fannie Munson Caladium plant in temperatures higher than 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).
Sunburn
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant varieties growing in persistent deep shade or early spring season, when the soils are cool, may show signs of sunburn.
Similarly, when exposed to intense sunlight, the Fannie Munson plants growing in cloudy areas may undergo sunburn.
To avoid this problem, grow the Fannie Munson Caladium plant in bright, dappled sunlight and place it in the shade during the day’s hottest hours.
Leaf Spots
A bacterial pathogen, Xanthomonas, may infect your Fannie Munson Caladium plant and cause leaf spots. The plant may even cease growing and begin losing water.
To limit damage, ensure the plants are well spaced with good air circulation. Additionally, keep the foliage dry and use a bactericidal spray.
Tips for Growing Fannie Munson Caladium Plant
- Plant in spring and grow in the summer season.
- Maintain optimal (65 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) temperatures.
- Place in filtered, bright sunlight and move to deep shade during the hottest hours.
- Establish a regular watering schedule.
- Prune and repot only when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fannie Munson Caladium Plant Care
What is the best fertilizer for the Fannie Munson Caladium plant?
For the healthiest growth, use high-quality liquid fertilizers with an NPK ratio of 6:6:6 or 20:20:20. The product should contain macro as well as micronutrients.
How do I save my Fannie Munson Caladium plant from insects?
To keep insects and harmful microorganisms at bay, maintain plant’s good hygiene, promptly remove weeds, dust plants often, keep dry, and use neem oil. Moreover, if a plant is diseased, isolate it immediately and ensure the plants are well-spaced.
Does the Fannie Munson Caladium plant grow throughout the year?
The Fannie Munson Caladium plant actively grows from USDA zones 10 to 15. In warmer climates, its bulbs come back each year. However, if it dies down in the winter, store the tubers and grow again in spring.
Conclusion
The Fannie Munson Caladium is a wonderful plant with a fairly manageable care routine. It needs bright, dappled sunlight, regular watering, and bi-monthly feeding with a liquid fertilizer.
The plant looks gorgeous as a hanging as well as a ground plant. It may be toxic to kids and pets; therefore, please plant it away from their reach.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.