Botanical Name: Caladium bicolor ‘Miss Muffet’

Common Name: Caladium

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Warm Regions (USDA Zones 9–11); Grown as an Annual Elsewhere

Size: 10–14" Tall × 10–14" Spread

Growth Habit: Compact, Clump-Forming Habit

Sunlight: Partial Shade to Full Sun (Excellent Sun Tolerance)

Soil: Prefers Moist, Well-Drained, Organic-Rich Soil

Water Needs: Moderate; Consistent Moisture for Best Growth

Bloom Season: Grown for Foliage (Spring through Fall)

Fertilizer: Light, Regular Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Chartreuse Leaves with Red Speckling, Compact Size, Strong Sun Tolerance, Early Color

Uses: Ideal for Containers, Edging, Borders, Mass Plantings, and Bright Shade or Sun Areas

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Caladium Plant Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Caladium ‘Miss Muffet’

Miss Muffet is one of those Caladiums that always makes people stop and look twice. The bright chartreuse-yellow leaves are splashed with bold red freckles, giving it a playful, almost whimsical look that stands out without feeling overdone. It’s colorful in a cheerful way, not heavy or dramatic, which makes it easy to work into all kinds of designs.

Even though it’s often listed with fancy-leaf caladiums, I’ve found ‘Miss Muffet’ behaves much more like a strap-leaf type in the garden. It stays compact, holds its shape, and tolerates more sun than many larger caladiums. The smaller leaves are a big advantage—especially in containers or tighter spaces where oversized foliage can quickly take over.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

Miss Muffet is one of the most dependable Caladiums we grow. It emerges early, colors up fast, and keeps its foliage looking good through heat and humidity as long as moisture is consistent. We’ve had excellent results with it in both partial shade and brighter sun, which isn’t something you can say about every caladium.

From a design standpoint, it’s incredibly versatile. I love it as a container centerpiece, but it’s just as effective lining walkways or planted in masses where that speckled foliage reads as texture from a distance. Compared to larger fancy-leaf varieties, ‘Miss Muffet’ is easier to place, easier to manage, and far less likely to overwhelm the space—which is exactly why it’s become a favorite of mine year after year.

Caladium ‘Miss Muffet’ vs. Other Caladiums

Miss Muffet is bolder, more playful, and more assertive in color contrast compared to similar Caladium varieties, such as Gingerland. Its chartreuse foliage and heavier burgundy spotting give it a punchier personality, making it especially effective in containers, borders, and smaller spaces where detail matters up close. Against pink-dominant Carolyn Whorton, Miss Muffet acts as a counterpoint—less romantic, more whimsical, and better suited to energetic, high-contrast plantings.

When placed alongside Moonlight or Tapestry, Miss Muffet clearly prioritizes pattern over elegance or complexity. Moonlight fades into the background to support other plants, while Tapestry commands attention through layered coloration; Miss Muffet thrives on its distinctive spotting and compact habit. It is the best choice in this group for gardeners who want visual excitement at eye level and a proven speckled caladium that never feels boring.