PlantFun
Plant Needs
Characteristics
- Leaves: Large, heart-shaped (cordate) to arrowhead-shaped, papery thin, predominantly bright white with striking dark green venation and thin green margins;
- Flowers: Inflorescence consists of a greenish-white spathe surrounding a central spadix, often hidden beneath the foliage and visually insignificant;
- Stems: Long, slender, fleshy petioles that attach directly to the underground tuber, lacking a true above-ground stem;
- Roots: Grows from a fleshy underground corm (tuber) which stores nutrients for winter dormancy.
Care Guide
Keep soil evenly moist, watering as soon as the surface feels slightly dry to the touch.
Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength.. Stop fertilizing in late summer to allow the plant to prepare for its natural winter dormancy.
Banana Peel Tea：Soak chopped banana peels in water for 48 hours. Strain and dilute 1:1 with water. Apply to soil to support tuber health and root development. Discard the solid peels in the compost to avoid attracting fungus gnats.- Remove yellowing, drooping, or dead leaves at the base of the petiole to maintain a tidy appearance;
- Snip off any flower stalks (spathes) as soon as they appear to redirect the plant's energy back into foliage growth;
- In autumn, allow the foliage to die back naturally; do not cut green leaves, as they are actively storing energy in the tuber for the next season.
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets: Toxic to cats per ASPCA. Chewing leaves releases calcium oxalate crystals causing immediate pain and irritation.
Humans: Contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause severe oral irritation and swelling if chewed or ingested.
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: Highly prized in Victorian-era European conservatories, the white foliage of 'Candidum' made it a staple in classic "moon gardens," designed to be enjoyed by moonlight where the white leaves seem to glow in the dark.
Usage: Popular as a striking indoor houseplant, a summer bedding plant in shaded borders, and an excellent thriller in mixed container gardens.