Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomioides
Pet-safe
Caladium White Queen
Caladium White Queen · Araceae
Moderate
Toxic to pets
Caladium 'White Queen' is a tuberous tropical perennial grown primarily for its striking foliage, which features large, paper-thin leaves with white centres, deep green margins, and prominent red veins. It is a cultivar of the Caladium bicolor complex, bred for ornamental indoor and outdoor use in warm climates. The plant is deciduous, entering dormancy during cooler months, which is an important aspect of its care cycle.
☀ Light
Bright indirect light; no direct sun
💧 Water
Keep evenly moist during growth; reduce sharply in dormancy
🌡 Temp
18 to 27 C; minimum 15 C
💦 Humidity
High, 60% or above preferred
🌿 Soil
Well-draining, peat-free, humus-rich mix
🍽 Feeding
Balanced liquid fertiliser fortnightly during growing season
Photo: Ganesh Mohan T / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for Caladium White Queen
Light
Caladium 'White Queen' thrives in bright, indirect light. The white portions of the leaf contain little chlorophyll and can scorch easily in direct sunlight, so a position near a north- or east-facing window, or set back from a south- or west-facing one, is ideal. Too little light will cause the foliage colours to fade and the plant to become leggy; a balance of good ambient brightness without harsh rays produces the most vibrant leaf patterning.
Watering
During the active growing season from spring to late summer, water regularly to keep the compost evenly moist but never waterlogged, as the tubers are prone to rotting in saturated conditions. Allow the surface of the compost to dry slightly between waterings. As the leaves begin to die back in autumn, progressively reduce watering, and stop almost entirely once the plant is fully dormant; resume watering in spring when new growth emerges.
Soil and potting
A loose, well-draining, humus-rich compost is ideal. A mix of peat-free multipurpose compost with added perlite or coarse grit in a ratio of approximately 2:1 provides adequate drainage and aeration around the tuber. Avoid dense or compacted compost that retains excess moisture, as this greatly increases the risk of tuber rot.
Feeding
Feed with a balanced, water-soluble or liquid fertiliser every two weeks throughout the growing season from spring until the foliage begins to decline in late summer or early autumn. A fertiliser with an even NPK ratio or one slightly higher in nitrogen supports healthy leaf production. Do not feed during dormancy as the tuber is not actively growing and excess nutrients can accumulate harmfully in the compost.
Humidity and temperature
Caladium 'White Queen' requires warm conditions and high humidity, reflecting its tropical origins. Maintain temperatures between 18 and 27 C and avoid exposing the plant to draughts, air conditioning, or temperatures below 15 C, as chilling causes premature dormancy and can damage tubers. Humidity should ideally remain above 60%; misting the leaves regularly, placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, or using a room humidifier are all effective methods of raising ambient moisture levels.
Repotting
Repot tubers in late winter or early spring as they emerge from dormancy, or when the container becomes crowded. Choose a pot only marginally larger than the tuber, as excessive compost volume around it retains moisture unnecessarily and raises the risk of rot. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes, and settle the tuber so its top sits roughly 2 to 3 cm below the compost surface.
Pruning
Pruning is minimal for this cultivar. Remove any yellowing, damaged, or spent leaves at the base of their stem as needed to maintain appearance and hygiene. As the plant naturally enters dormancy in autumn, allow the foliage to die back on its own rather than cutting it prematurely; the tuber benefits from the energy returned as leaves yellow. Dead foliage can be removed cleanly once fully withered.
Is Caladium White Queen toxic?
Pets: Toxic. All parts of Caladium 'White Queen' contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Ingestion causes intense oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Listed as toxic by the ASPCA for both cats and dogs.
People: Toxic to humans as well; contact with sap can cause skin and eye irritation, and ingestion causes a painful burning sensation in the mouth and throat. Keep away from children and wear gloves when handling.
People: Toxic to humans as well; contact with sap can cause skin and eye irritation, and ingestion causes a painful burning sensation in the mouth and throat. Keep away from children and wear gloves when handling.
Common problems
Yellowing leaves during the growing season
Likely cause: Overwatering or waterlogged compost leading to tuber stress or early rot Fix: Check root and tuber health, improve drainage, reduce watering frequency, and ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes.
Leaf scorch or brown patches on white areas
Likely cause: Exposure to direct sunlight or low humidity causing desiccation Fix: Move the plant to a position with bright but filtered light and increase humidity around the foliage.
Loss of leaf colour and faded variegation
Likely cause: Insufficient light, causing the plant to reduce pigmentation Fix: Relocate to a brighter position with more ambient indirect light, avoiding harsh direct rays.
Wilting or collapsing stems despite moist compost
Likely cause: Tuber rot caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or cold compost temperatures Fix: Remove the plant from its pot, inspect the tuber, cut away any soft or blackened sections with a sterile knife, dust with sulphur powder, and repot in fresh, well-draining compost.
Brown, crispy leaf edges
Likely cause: Low humidity, draughts, or underwatering during the growing season Fix: Increase humidity, move away from draughts, and water more consistently to maintain even moisture.
Spider mites or mealybugs on leaves
Likely cause: Dry indoor air and warm conditions encourage pest infestations Fix: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, treat with neem oil solution or an appropriate insecticidal soap, and increase humidity to deter further outbreaks.
How to propagate
Tuber division
In late winter or early spring when removing the tuber from dormancy storage, carefully divide it with a clean, sharp knife so that each section retains at least one visible growth bud or eye. Allow the cut surfaces to callous for a day before potting in fresh, moist compost at around 21 to 24 C to encourage sprouting.
Offset separation
Mature tubers frequently produce small offsets or daughter tubers at their perimeter. These can be gently separated from the parent tuber at repotting time in spring and potted individually into appropriately sized containers with well-draining compost.
Where Caladium White Queen comes from
Native to Brazil, Amazon basin, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia.
Story and origins
The genus name Caladium is derived from the Malay word 'keladi', a term applied to various aroid plants in Southeast Asia, adopted into botanical Latin by the Swedish botanist Carl Ludwig Willdenow in 1797. The species epithet bicolor, from the Latin meaning 'two-coloured', refers to the characteristic two-tone leaf patterning common to most cultivars. The cultivar name 'White Queen' is a descriptive horticultural name applied in reference to the dominant white colouration of the leaf blades and carries no formal Latin etymology.
Caladiums were first formally described by European botanists in the eighteenth century following botanical expeditions to tropical South America, particularly Brazil and the Amazon basin region. They were introduced to European glasshouses during the Victorian era, when exotic foliage plants became highly fashionable among collectors and wealthy horticulturists. Intensive hybridisation work, much of it carried out in Florida, USA, during the twentieth century, produced the wide array of named cultivars available today, including 'White Queen'. Caladiums also hold cultural significance in parts of tropical Asia and the Caribbean, where they have long been grown as ornamental plants in gardens and around homes.
Varieties to know
Caladium 'Candidum'
A classic cultivar with predominantly white leaves and contrasting dark green veining, similar in character to White Queen but with less red colouration.
Caladium 'Red Flash'
Features deep green leaves with vivid red centres and pink spots; a bold contrast to the paler White Queen.
Caladium 'Florida Sweetheart'
A compact cultivar with rosy-pink centres and green margins, often used in similar conditions to White Queen.
Caladium 'Miss Muffet'
A dwarf form with light green leaves and burgundy spots, suitable for smaller containers.
Fun facts
- The striking white colouration of 'White Queen' is due to a lack of chlorophyll in the white areas, meaning those portions of the leaf cannot photosynthesise.
- Caladiums are native to the Amazon basin region and were used by indigenous South American peoples before being introduced to European horticulture in the nineteenth century.
- The tubers of caladiums can remain viable in dry storage at around 16 to 18 C for several months during their natural dormancy period, making them easy to overwinter.
- Unlike many tropical plants, caladiums actively prefer to grow in shade or dappled light in their native habitat, sheltering beneath the forest canopy.
- The red veining in 'White Queen' is one of its defining characteristics; the intensity of the red pigmentation can vary depending on light levels and growing conditions.
Caladium White Queen FAQ
Why are my Caladium White Queen leaves going yellow?
Yellowing during the growing season is most commonly caused by overwatering or waterlogged compost. Check that the drainage holes are clear and allow the top layer of compost to dry slightly between waterings. If the plant is entering autumn, some yellowing is entirely normal as it begins its natural dormancy cycle.
How do I store a Caladium White Queen tuber over winter?
Once the foliage has fully died back, carefully remove the tuber from its pot, brush off excess compost, and allow it to dry for a few days. Store it in a paper bag or box filled with dry peat or vermiculite at a temperature of around 16 to 18 C in a frost-free location. Check periodically for rot and replant in fresh compost in late winter or spring.
Can I keep Caladium White Queen outdoors in the UK?
Caladium White Queen can be placed outdoors in the UK during the warmer months, typically from late May to early September, in a sheltered position with bright shade. It must be brought back indoors before temperatures drop below 15 C, and the plant should not be left outside over winter as UK temperatures will kill the tubers.
How often should I water Caladium White Queen?
During the growing season, water when the top centimetre or so of compost begins to feel dry, aiming to keep the compost evenly moist but not saturated. In practice this may mean watering every five to seven days in summer, though this varies by pot size, compost type, and ambient temperature. Reduce watering significantly in autumn as the plant enters dormancy.
Is Caladium White Queen safe to keep if I have cats or dogs?
No. All parts of the plant are toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Ingestion causes oral pain, drooling, and vomiting. It is advisable to keep the plant in a location that is completely inaccessible to pets.
Why has my Caladium White Queen stopped producing new leaves?
If growth has stalled during the growing season, the most likely causes are insufficient warmth, low light levels, or a waterlogged tuber that has been damaged by rot. If the plant is in late summer or autumn, it may simply be entering its natural dormancy period, which is a normal and expected part of its growth cycle.
Does Caladium White Queen need a dormancy period?
Yes. Caladium 'White Queen' is a deciduous tuberous plant that naturally enters dormancy in autumn as day length shortens and temperatures cool. Attempting to keep it actively growing year-round by providing artificial heat and light is possible but not always advisable; allowing the plant its natural rest period generally results in a healthier tuber and more vigorous growth the following season.
