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’

Caladium ‘Miss Muffet’ is a compact, highly recognizable caladium known for its chartreuse-yellow foliage sprinkled with vivid red freckles. The playful, high-contrast pattern makes it one of the most distinctive caladiums available and a favorite for gardeners who want bright color without large, oversized leaves.

Although often grouped with fancy-leaf caladiums, ‘Miss Muffet’ behaves more like a strap-leaf type in the garden—staying compact, holding up well in sun, and maintaining a tidy habit throughout the season. Its smaller leaves make it especially effective in containers and tight planting spaces where larger caladiums can feel overwhelming.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Miss Muffet’ has been exceptionally reliable in both partial shade and brighter sun conditions. It emerges early, colors up quickly, and maintains consistent foliage quality through heat and humidity when given adequate moisture.

We especially appreciate its versatility. It works beautifully as a container centerpiece, an edging plant along walkways, or a mass planting where its speckled foliage creates texture and visual interest from a distance. Compared to larger fancy-leaf varieties, it’s easier to place and easier to maintain.

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.