Tropical plants with spotted leaves will brighten a shady area and give the landscape a tropical feel. They can also grow as potted plants on a deck, patio or terrace. Although most of them require at least partial shade to prevent sunburn damage on the leaves, there are two tropical plants with spotted leaves that will retain their colorful foliage in sunny locations.
Caladiums (Caladium bicolor) and elephant ears (Alocasia spp.) are tropical plants grown for their large leaves. Caladiums, also commonly referred to as elephant ears, angel wings or heart of Jesus, are shade-loving plants. However, the “Strawberry Star” hybrid (C. “Strawberry Star”) can grow successfully in full sun. The plants are 1 to 1½ feet tall with 10-inch-long, arrow-shaped leaves. The leaves are white with green veining and dark pink spots. They are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 12. “Hilo Beauty” is an Alocasia or elephant ears hybrid (A. “Hilo Beauty”) that grows to 3 feet tall with 1- to 2-foot-long, arrow-shaped leaves. The leaves are dark green with cream-yellow spots and splotches. It is hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11.
Polka dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya) and ti plants (Cordyline fruticosa syn. C. terminalis) thrive in partial shade. All polka dot plants have spotted or splotched leaves, although the spots can be pink, red or white. They grow to 1 to 2 feet tall with 2-inch-long ovate leaves. Tiny lavender flowers are produced by these plants from spring to fall. Ti plants, also known as cabbage trees or good luck plants, grow to between 3 and 10 feet tall, depending on the cultivar. Their long, corn plant-type leaves can be burgundy, pale green, pink or red. The “Amabalis” hybrid (C. fruticosa “Amabalis”), however, grows to about 10 feet tall with oval leaves that are dark green with dark pink and white spots. Older plants bloom in the spring, producing 12-inch-long panicles of yellow-red flowers. Both of these tropical plants are hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11.
“Angel Wing” or trout-leaf begonias (Begonia x argenteo-guttata “Angel Wing”) and peacock gingers (Kaempheria laotica) can brighten shady areas with their spotted foliage. “Angel Wing” begonias will grow in partial shade, although too much direct sunlight will scorch the leaves. They are hardy in USDA zones 10 to 11 and grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet. Their large, angel-wing shaped leaves are deep green with bright white spots. They bloom nearly year-round in frost-free climates in pink, red or white. The “Satin Checks” peacock ginger hybrid (K. “Satin Checks”) grows to only 3 inches tall and quickly spreads to cover the ground. Its leaves are 8 inches long and 6 inches wide with burgundy spots on a light green background. Small purple flowers are produced by the plants briefly in the summer. It is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11.
Rex begonias (Begonia rex) can grow in the bright shade of tall trees for colorful, spotted foliage in the landscape from spring to fall. When temperatures begin to cool in the fall, bring them indoors for decorative foliage and pink or white flowers during the winter. The plants are hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11 and grow to 1 foot tall. There are many hybrids available with a variety of leaf colors and spots. “Boston Cherries and Chocolate” (B. rex “Boston Cherries and Chocolate”) has purple-brown leaves with red, purple or silver spots. “Maui Mist” (B. rex “Maui Mist”) has dark green leaves with pink spots and silver highlights.
- Floridata: Caladium Bicolor
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: EDIS: “Strawberry Star” -- A Spotted, Fancy-Leaved Caladium for Use in Containers and Landscapes
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Alocasia (Group)
- The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences: Tropical Plants Offer New Possibilities for Georgia Gardens
- University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service: Hypoestes Phyllostachya
- Floridata: Cordyline Fruticosa
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Cordyline Fruticosa
- University of Florida: IFAS Extension: Cordyline Terminalis Ti Plant
- Plants of the University of Richmond: Department of Biology Greenhouses: Begonia X Argenteo-guttata -- Angel Wing Begonia, Trout-Leaf Begonia
- Purdue University: Quick Guide to Ornamental Annuals
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Begonia “Bepared” Dragon Wing Red
- Clemson University: Cooperative Extension: Home & Garden Information Center: Begonia
- Floridata: Kaempferia Laotica
- University of Florida: Vegetative Matters: Recycling the Rex Begonia
- University of Vermont: Perry’s Perennial Pages: Begonia Rex Cultorum
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