I haven't grown caladiums before and what an introduction - this one is stunning! I have it in a pot by itself in a mostly shady location and it has performed beautifully. It's not fussy at all and gets many compliments. I look forward to growing this next year as well.
Heart to Heart® 'White Wonder' Sun or Shade Caladium Caladium hortulanum
- Sun or Shade
- Spring
- Summer
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Details
15 - 20 Inches8 - 10 Inches8 - 10 Inches38cm - 51cm20cm - 25cm20cm - 25cmFeatures
Described as nothing less than elegant, 'White Wonder' is a beautiful lance-leaved (strap) variety that can stand full sun. Due to its stature, 'White Wonder' makes an excellent border to intermediate plant in the landscape. It is adapted to both sun and shade. Caladiums are also generally considered to be houseplants where they prefer bright light or a sunny window.
Caladiums can be an irritant if ingested. The ASPCA has more information on which plants may be harmful.
Award WinnerAdaptable As HouseplantFoliage InterestHeat TolerantDeadheading Not NecessaryResists:DeerCharacteristics
Plant Type:AnnualHeight Category:MediumGarden Height:15 - 20 Inches 38cm - 51cmSpacing:8 - 10 Inches 20cm - 25cmSpread:8 - 10 Inches 20cm - 25cmFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Colors:WhiteFoliage Shade:White and GreenHabit:UprightContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Sun or ShadeThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBloom Time:Grown for FoliageHardiness Zones:10a, 10b, 11a, 11bWater Category:AverageUses:Border PlantUses:ContainerUses:LandscapeUses:Mass PlantingUses Notes:Great in landscapes and containers and will grow well in sunny and shaded locations. They can also be grown indoors as a houseplant where they prefer bright light or a sunny window.
Ultimate Guide: How to Grow Caladiums
Maintenance Notes:Caladiums can be an irritant if ingested. The ASPCA has more information on which plants may be harmful.
See our complete guide to caladium care.
Indoors:
Caladiums can be a very nice windowsill or sunroom plant and for much of the United States and certainly in Canada this might be the best use for Caladiums. Since they are tropical they need to have warmth and humidity, try to always keep the temperatures above 65 F for best growth and leaf size, and a pebble tray or frequent misting can help to keep humidity up around your plants. If you live in a northern climate, be careful not to plant too early in spring as temperatures below 50F will chill and stunt plants, normal indoor temperatures should be fine and winter heaters usually dry things out a bit too much. So this can be a good guide for when to grow these Caladiums, when you turn the heater off for the summer.
Plant tubers pointed end facing upwards, so the tuber is about 2” below the soil level, the roots form on the top of the tuber , so you need to plant them deep enough that roots have room to grow, but not too deep because it delays new leaves and weakens the plant. If your plants are already growing in pots when you purchase them, plant them about ½” deeper when you transplant them to make sure the tubers have room to keep growing.
Caladiums do not need a lot of fertilizer, about ¼ of what most folks feed their flowering annuals, and too much fertilizer can burn the leaves especially the white portions of the leaf. So just fertilize with ¼ the strength what you normally do for your flowers and apply weekly or every other week.
Keep plants in a sunny to partly sunny location and avoid burning hot southern exposures especially at higher altitudes.
Keep soil in your pots moist at all times, wilting will cause leaves to yellow and drop, so just check to make they do not dry out!
Outdoors:
Since Caladiums prefer heat and humidity and do not tolerate cold, soggy soils, for most gardeners who live in the north will have best results in containers, as the soil in pots or planters warms up faster and has better drainage so plants will not become soggy. Remember for best growth always keep the temperatures above 65 F.
A ¼ - ½ strength fertilizing every week or every other week is fine throughout the season, too strong a fertilizer can burn leaves, and since the leaves last all season you want to keep them looking fresh. Caladiums like to be moist at all times so avoid allowing them to dry out as it also causes leaves to yellow and drop.
Where the Caladiums will do best depends a lot on your location within the US, since sunlight intensity varies depending on where you live here’s a quick reference to help guide to help you succeed.
Region
When to Plant
Sun or Shade
Containers or in the garden
NW & NE United States & Canada
Early summer
Full sun - light shade.
Caladiums do best in containers in this part of the country and usually need to be in a protected warm location for best results. Like a sunroom or warm patio setting. If growing outdoors select the warmest protected locations in the garden.
SW United States
Spring
shade to light shade only
Containers may be easiest but a shady, cool garden spot can also be lovely. Watch your watering to keep the plants from drying out.
Midwest
Late Spring
Light shade
Containers are likely best, but a late spring planting into a protected shade flower bed will also be fine.
SE United States
Spring
Shade to sun
Both containers and garden plantings work fine, in the deep south Caladiums may even come back the following year if kept dry over the winter.
Heart to Heart® 'White Wonder' Caladium hortulanum USPP 21,044 -
4 Reviews
5341321Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.-
Katy, Oregon, United States, 3 years ago
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I live in southern Michigan. I planted White Wonder caladiums outside in a sunny location. They did reasonably well, but despite the claim that they can take full sun, there was some burning. However, damaged leaves were quickly replaced by new leaves, and overall they made a nice display. I also found that my plants did not grow as tall as advertised; mine were not more than a foot tall. I liked them and would plant them again, but in spot with less afternoon sun.
Karen Muse, Michigan, United States, 3 years ago -
I bought a package of four corms from Home Depot this past spring. When I found out from Garden Answer YouTube channel of the new caladiums that can be in full sun and shade, i was thrilled. I told myself that I would plant them and bring them inside the house during fall and winter. I’m glad I did. So far, all the caladiums are doing amazingly even though they needed a little time to adjust indoor when I brought them in. I have them by south facing windows.
Leap, New York, United States, 4 years ago -
This plant is unbelievably beautiful and has grown so big and healthy. It is in the Florida sun all day and I mean hot direct sun all day! I am so happy with it and highly recommend it.
Cape Coral Florida, Florida, United States, 4 years ago
2 Awards
Award Year Award Plant Trial 2022 Top Performer Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden 2020 Top Performer Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden 28 More colors
14 Recipes
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