Caladium ‘Carolyn Whorton’

Cultivated origin of Caladium ‘Carolyn Whorton’

‘Carolyn Whorton’ has been an important commercial Caladium for many decades. It was already among the most widely grown Florida cultivars by 1979 and remained a major fancy-leaved cultivar into the early 2000s.

Growing Caladium ‘Carolyn Whorton’ indoors

• Light: Give it bright filtered light. Once acclimated, it can also take a brighter position and some gentle direct sun.
• Temperature: Keep it warm. Protect the leaves and tuber from cold draughts, cold window glass and other cold conditions.
• Water: When the plant is growing, water once the top of the mix begins to dry and the pot feels lighter. Water thoroughly and let the excess drain.
• Humidity: Keep it away from hot, dry air such as heating vents, and keep some airflow around the leaves.
• Potting mix: Use a loose, airy mix that drains freely and still holds some moisture.
• Feeding: Feed with a balanced houseplant fertiliser while new leaves are growing, following the label.
• Rest: If the leaves yellow and die back, water less. Return to normal watering when new shoots appear.
• Repotting and propagation: Repot when the tubers crowd the pot or the mix becomes compacted. To propagate, divide a mature tuber so each piece has a healthy bud.
• Safety: Caladium tissue contains calcium oxalates that can irritate the mouth, skin and eyes. Keep it out of reach of children and pets, and wash your hands after handling damaged tissue.

Troubleshooting Caladium ‘Carolyn Whorton’

• Wilting while the mix stays wet: Pythium or another root rot can damage roots when the potting mix stays wet. Inspect the roots and tuber. Cut away the rot with a clean tool until you reach firm, healthy tissue. Discard everything you remove, then replant in fresh, well-drained mix.
• Tuber lesions or spreading rot: Fusarium tuber rot can damage the tuber. Separate the plant. If the damaged area is small, cut away the rot with a clean tool until you reach firm, healthy tissue. Discard everything you remove. Discard a tuber that is extensively soft or rotten.
• Dark patches after a cold spell: Chilling can mark leaves and delay growth. Move the plant to a warm position and protect new growth from further cold.
• Silvering, stippling or distorted leaves: Check closely for thrips, mites, aphids and mealybugs. Separate the affected plant. If treatment is needed, use a product or biological control intended for indoor ornamental plants and follow the directions. Repeat only as directed.

Caladium ‘Carolyn Whorton’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

How the name Caladium came about

The genus name Caladium comes from Malay keladi, a word used for taro-like aroids.

Étienne Pierre Ventenat established the genus Caladium in 1800 in Magasin Encyclopédique, volume 4, page 463.