How to Grow Caladium 'Carolyn Whorton'
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Caladium 'Carolyn Whorton'
Caladium bicolor 'Carolyn Whorton'
flowerCarolyn Whorton is a stunning caladium cultivar prized for its large, heart-shaped leaves with deep red centers and white margins, creating striking bi-color foliage throughout the growing season. This tropical perennial is grown for its ornamental foliage rather than flowers and thrives as a houseplant or in shaded garden beds. It adds dramatic color and texture to any indoor or outdoor space.
When should you plant Caladium 'Carolyn Whorton' in your zone?
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Example Caladium 'Carolyn Whorton' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Caladium 'Carolyn Whorton'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Caladium 'Carolyn Whorton' blooms
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Caladium 'Carolyn Whorton' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Best in zones 10b-11; can be grown as houseplant or dug up and stored indoors in cooler zones
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Get my Caladium 'Carolyn Whorton' timeline →Growth Stages
Dormancy/Tuber Rest
November-March (3-5 months)Plant exists as a dormant tuber after winter or storage period, showing no visible growth.
Store tubers in cool (50-60°F), dry location. Check occasionally for rot or sprouting. Do not water during dormancy.
Sprouting/Early Growth
2-3 weeksFirst shoots emerge from tubers and unfold their first small leaves.
Begin watering and provide warmth (70-75°F). Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide bright, indirect light.
Vegetative/Leaf Development
4-8 weeksLeaves expand rapidly, developing the characteristic red centers and white margins. Plant grows fuller with multiple leaves per stem.
Maintain consistent moisture and warmth. Fertilize bi-weekly with balanced houseplant fertilizer. Increase humidity with misting or pebble trays. Rotate pot weekly for even growth.
Peak Foliage
June-September (peak season)Plant reaches mature size with large, fully-colored leaves displaying vibrant red-and-white patterns. Occasional small flowers may appear (not ornamental).
Continue regular watering and fertilizing. Remove any flower buds to direct energy to foliage. Maintain humidity and bright indirect light. Pest monitoring increases.
Decline/Dormancy Preparation
October-November (4-8 weeks)Leaves begin to yellow and fade as temperatures cool and day length decreases. Plant naturally starts withdrawing energy back to the tuber.
Gradually reduce watering as leaves drop. Stop fertilizing. Allow foliage to die back naturally rather than cutting it down early. Move indoors or prepare for storage.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, mist foliage regularly, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days until resolved
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Isolate affected plant, dab with alcohol-soaked cotton swab, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
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Inspect regularly, scrape off by hand, treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap
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Allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings, use yellow sticky traps, apply beneficial nematodes to soil
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Ensure excellent drainage, reduce watering frequency, repot in fresh soil if caught early, remove affected tubers during storage
Uses
Ornamental only (non-edible)
CulinaryCaladiums are toxic and not consumed. They are purely ornamental plants valued for foliage display. [source]
Indoor foliage décor
HouseholdCarolyn Whorton caladiums are stunning as houseplants, perfect for brightening dim corners, bathrooms with humidity, and offices. Their dramatic red-and-white leaves add tropical elegance to interior spaces. [source]
Outdoor shade garden accent
HouseholdIdeal for shaded beds, mixed borders, and container gardens in warm climates. Works beautifully alongside ferns and hostas for a lush, layered woodland effect. [source]
Cut foliage arrangements
CraftLarge caladium leaves can be cut and used in fresh flower arrangements and botanical displays. The striking color patterns last several days in water and create dramatic visual interest. [source]
Minimal wildlife value
WildlifeCaladiums do not provide significant nectar, pollen, or food for pollinators or wildlife. They are primarily ornamental and add visual interest to gardens without supporting fauna. [source]
Harvest Tips
Caladiums are grown for foliage, not harvested for food. Pinch off the rare flower spikes to direct energy to leaf production. In fall, after foliage dies back naturally, carefully dig up tubers, clean gently, dry in warm location, and store in cool, dry place over winter. Tubers can be divided if they have multiple eyes (growing points).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Carolyn Whorton caladiums were named after a southern gardening enthusiast and have become one of the most popular bi-color cultivars among plant collectors.
- 🌱 Caladium tubers can live for many years when properly stored over winter, making them a cost-effective perennial investment that multiplies over time.
- 🌱 The striking red-and-white coloration intensifies in cooler temperatures and lower light conditions—counterintuitively, excessive direct sun can fade the red pigments and bleach the foliage.
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