Caladium ‘White Christmas’

Cultivation history of Caladium ‘White Christmas’

‘White Christmas’ has been grown commercially for many decades. By the 2002–03 season, it led fancy-leaved Caladium acreage in Florida.

It has also been used as a parent in later cultivars, including ‘Tapestry’.

Home care for Caladium ‘White Christmas’

• Light: Give it bright filtered light. A bright spot set a little farther back from the window can also suit it.
• 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.

Problems to watch for with Caladium ‘White Christmas’

• Wilting with root discoloration: Pythium can cause root rot. Inspect the roots and tuber. Cut away the rot with a clean tool until you reach firm, healthy tissue. Discard everything you remove, then improve the drainage.
• Brown lesions or soft areas on the tuber: Fusarium and other tuber rots can develop while the tuber is stored or while the plant is growing. 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 with extensive rot.
• Dark patches or delayed growth after cold exposure: Chilling can damage leaves and slow later sprouting. Move the plant or tuber to a warm position and watch for normal new growth.
• Stippling, silver marks or webbing: Check for mites and thrips and separate affected plants. If treatment is needed, use a product labelled for indoor ornamental plants and follow the label. Repeat treatment only as directed on the label.

Caladium ‘White Christmas’ 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 did Caladium get its name?

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.