Thai Beauty Angel Wings

Thai Beauty Angel Wings (Caladium bicolor 'Thai Beauty') is a tropical foliage plant with large, heart shaped leaves in emerald and deep green, overlaid with a mosaic of white and pink and carried on red stems. It grows 30cm to 60cm tall and wide, and every plant is unique, so the pattern varies from one to the next. It is toxic if chewed, so keep it away from pets and small children.

Why you'll love it

• A mosaic of white and pink. Fine patches of white and pink break up the green, so the leaf looks like stained glass.
• Red stems. Deep green leaves sit on red stems, which adds a second colour as the leaves move.
• Every plant is different. The pattern varies from plant to plant, so yours will be one of a kind.
• Shade that glows. It brightens humid shade where few plants give much colour.
• Suits pots and beds. At 30cm to 60cm it works in a container, a courtyard bed or a tropical border.

Where it works best

Tropical borders. In a frost free garden, plant 40cm apart in the shade of larger plants, so the mosaic leaves read as a pattern from a distance.

Balcony and patio pots. Choose a sheltered balcony with indirect light, and a pot with good drainage.

Well lit rooms. It is ideal as a houseplant, where warmth and humidity can be controlled.

Growing Thai Beauty Angel Wings in Australia

Position and climate. Humid, shady and frost free, with indirect sunlight. Outdoors, that means tropical and subtropical gardens. In cooler climates it does best in a pot indoors or on a protected patio during warm weather.

Soil. It prefers free draining soil or a good quality potting mix.

Water and feed. Water regularly through the first 12 weeks, then only if the soil seems dry. Use a liquid fertiliser at half rate every few weeks while it establishes. Indoors, regular water and a daily spritz on the foliage keep it content.

Pruning. Remove old leaves to keep it tidy. Foliage can die back in the cooler months as the plant rests. Take off the spent leaves, move the plant to a dry, dark room and water only every four to six weeks, then wait for it to shoot again in spring.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Thai Beauty Angel Wings as tube stock only: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Because every plant is unique, the colour mix you receive may differ from the images on this page. Plant it into warm, humid shade soon after it arrives, and keep it frost free.

The tube comes direct from our grower, who does not always have it. A sold out tube simply means none is ready today, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse tropical plants
• Plants for balconies
• Plants for tropical climates
• Designing a lush tropical garden

Common questions

Will mine look like the images?

Close, but not identical. Thai Beauty varies from plant to plant, so each one has its own mix of white and pink over the green, and the images on this page are a guide only.

Can I grow it in a pot on a balcony?

Yes, provided the spot is humid, shady and frost free. Choose a sheltered balcony with indirect light, use quality potting mix and keep it out of strong wind and direct afternoon sun.

When do I stop watering?

When the leaves die back in the cooler months and the plant goes dormant. Remove the spent leaves, keep the plant in a dry, dark room and water only every four to six weeks until spring.