Caladium Going Dormant — When Leaves Die Back & What to Do

Your Caladium leaves are yellowing and dying. Do not panic — it is going dormant for winter. Learn how to store the tuber and bring it back to life in spring. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: Caladiums are tropical tubers that go completely dormant in fall and winter — all leaves die back. This is not death — the tuber stores energy underground and regrows in spring. Dormancy is triggered by shorter days and cooler temperatures starting in September-October. The tuber needs to be kept dry and warm (60°F+) during its dormant period. New leaves emerge in spring when temperatures warm and days lengthen. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: Caladiums have a natural annual cycle: grow in spring-summer, dormant in fall-winter. Shortening days and cooling temperatures signal the plant to stop growing. All leaves yellow and die back completely — this is normal and unavoidable. The tuber remains alive underground, storing energy for the next growing season. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: As leaves yellow in fall, gradually reduce watering until all foliage has died back. Once all leaves are dead, stop watering completely and let the soil dry out. Option 1: Leave the tuber in its pot in a warm dry spot (above 60°F) until spring. Option 2: Remove the tuber, brush off soil, and store in a paper bag with dry peat moss at 60-70°F. In spring (March-April), replant or resume watering — new shoots appear in 2-4 weeks. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

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