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Tropical rhizomatous plant
Araceae
Black-and-white calla mix for containers and bouquets
‘Tuxedo Time’ calla mix
Zantedeschia, ‘Tuxedo Time’ blend
Product code : VAN-348-208-01
Calla Tuxedo Time is a tropical rhizomatous perennial forming an upright clump about 40 cm tall and 30 cm wide. glossy green foliage and black-and-white spathes quickly create a lush display in a substantial container or summer border. Van Noort supplies three size 12/14 rhizomes in a retail package. Plant after frost in rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade, and protect the foliage from wind. In Quebec, bring the container indoors or lift the rhizomes before cold weather. Every plant part is irritating and toxic when chewed, so keep it away from children and pets. Its vertical habit suits narrow patios when the pot remains stable and accessible for winter handling.
- Quantity
- 3 size 12/14 rhizomes
- Exposure
- Gentle full sun to bright partial shade
- Life cycle
- Tropical perennial grown as an annual or overwintered
- Hardiness
- Zone 4 to 8
Discover the plant
Common name‘Tuxedo Time’ calla mix
FamilyAraceae
GenusZantedeschia
CultivarTuxedo Time
TypeTropical rhizomatous plant
Botanical nameZantedeschia, ‘Tuxedo Time’ blend
‘Tuxedo Time’ combines three calla rhizomes whose velvety-black and pure-white spathes create a graphic contrast reminiscent of formal evening wear. Each sculptural cup surrounds a central spadix and rises above glossy green foliage that is often flecked with white. The Van Noort package contains three size 12/14 rhizomes. The clump reaches about 40 cm tall with a 30 cm spread and maintains an upright habit. During summer, this compact composition brings elegant presence to borders, containers, and modern bouquets while retaining a balanced silhouette that can be appreciated easily at close range from a patio, doorway, or garden path.
Plant the rhizomes in spring after the last frost once soil has warmed. Set them flat with buds upward beneath about 7 to 8 cm of rich, loose, freely drained soil, spacing them 30 cm apart. Choose gentle full sun or bright partial shade. Water deeply to maintain even moisture during active growth without allowing standing water. Incorporate mature compost and apply diluted balanced fertilizer every two weeks while leaves are active. In a container, place all three rhizomes in a heavy pot at least 30 cm wide with effective drainage holes, then acclimate emerging shoots outdoors gradually so tender leaves do not scorch under sudden intense light.
Place ‘Tuxedo Time’ beside a patio or entrance where its black-and-white contrast can be admired. Pair it with silver caladiums, purple coleus, white begonias, and fine grasses. Cut spathes once their colour is fully developed, using a clean tool, then refresh vase water regularly. Every plant part contains irritating calcium oxalate crystals and must not be eaten; keep rhizomes and discarded material away from children and pets. Before the first frost, reduce watering, allow foliage to decline, lift the rhizomes, dry them, and store them somewhere cool, dry, dark, and completely frost-free until the following spring. Inspect stored material occasionally and discard any soft or spotted piece.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
7 to 8 cm (about 3 in) deep, buds upward
Spacing / density
Space rhizomes 30 cm apart
Sowing period
Late May or June in Quebec, once soil is warm
Propagation
Division of offsets and rhizome sections in spring
Growing method
After the last frost, wait until soil and nighttime temperatures have warmed. Choose a bright position with gentle sun or light partial shade, protected from gusts. Loosen the soil and incorporate mature compost to create rich but drained conditions. Set all three rhizomes horizontally with buds upward, 7 to 8 cm deep and 30 cm apart. Backfill without compacting, water deeply, and maintain even moisture without saturation. Begin diluted balanced feeding once leaves are well developed. Monitor slugs, snails, and leaf spotting, then remove faded spathes. Before Quebec’s first frost, reduce watering, lift the rhizomes, clean them, let them dry, and store them somewhere cool, dry, dark, and frost-free. Wear gloves during handling and label the black-and-white group clearly so it can be replanted accurately the following spring. In a border, mark the position so emerging shoots are not disturbed. Apply light mulch only after soil has warmed, without covering the buds directly. Cut several spathes once their colour develops, but retain enough leaves to feed the rhizomes. Record emergence and flowering dates so watering can be adjusted the following year. Keep the planting free of vigorous competing roots and weeds.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
pH 6.0 to 7.5
Care level
Moderate
Watering
Water deeply after planting, then keep the growing medium evenly moist during active growth. Check soil several centimetres below the surface and irrigate when the top begins to dry, before leaves wilt. Always empty the saucer and reduce water sharply as temperatures fall or dormancy begins. Indoors, adjust frequency to actual light and warmth rather than following a fixed schedule. Room-temperature water limits shock to tropical roots, especially after the plant returns indoors. Watch leaf posture and pot weight, and water early in the day so excess moisture can drain before cooler night conditions.
Soil type
Rich, humus-filled, loose, well-drained soil supports the glossy foliage and sculptural spathes of Calla Tuxedo Time. Loam amended with compost holds even moisture while releasing excess water around the rhizomes. In containers, use a quality potting mix opened with fine bark or perlite. Avoid compact clay, water-filled saucers, and cold saturated soil, which encourage rot. Refresh the upper layer of mix each spring when complete repotting is unnecessary. Test drainage after settling, keep mulch away from the crown, and replace any sour-smelling medium immediately.
Fertilization
In spring and summer, feed every two to four weeks with diluted balanced fertilizer, or apply a controlled-release formula according to its label. Begin only after new leaves confirm root activity. Water before feeding and periodically flush container mix to limit salt accumulation. Stop feeding during dormancy or whenever low winter light markedly slows growth. Firm, evenly spaced growth indicates that the feeding rate is sufficient. White deposits on the mix or pot rim signal salt accumulation and a need for thorough flushing with plain water.
Moisture
Zantedeschia appreciates moderate to high ambient humidity during active growth but also requires steady air movement. Group plants or use a humidifier indoors instead of constantly wetting the foliage. Keep the pot away from heating vents and cold drafts. Stable humidity limits dry tips, although stagnant air combined with saturated soil encourages disease and rot. Avoid keeping young shoots constantly wet, and provide steady airflow around foliage to limit spotting, soft growth, and disease pressure. consistently
Seasonal care
In spring, inspect the stored rhizome and remove only soft tissue with a clean tool. Repot it in fresh mix as buds swell, then increase warmth, light, and watering gradually. Wait until frost has ended before outdoor acclimation; expose the plant to sun and wind in stages over one week. During summer, keep soil evenly moist, feed moderately, and rotate containers for balanced growth. Cut yellow leaves at the base while wearing gloves, monitor slugs and spider mites, and shelter broad blades from gusts. In autumn, bring the pot inside before nights remain below 12°C, or lift the rhizomes before frost. Reduce water as growth slows, remove excess soil, and let the rhizomes dry briefly. In winter, store a dormant rhizome cool, dry, ventilated, and frost free, or maintain a leafy plant in a cool, dry, dark, frost-free storage with less water. Inspect monthly for rot, excessive shrivelling, or pests. Keep the plant clearly labelled and inaccessible to children and pets at all times. Across the seasons, record emergence date, watering rhythm, and response to light so culture can be adjusted precisely the following year. At repotting, divide only offsets carrying their own roots and let every cut dry briefly before replanting. Clean the container, replace compacted mix, and verify that the crown remains firm. Increase spring moisture in small stages rather than flooding inactive roots.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
Heavy container 35 to 40 cm wide and at least 30 cm deep for all three rhizomes
Choose a heavy container 35 to 40 cm wide and at least 30 cm deep with several drainage holes. Fill it with rich, airy potting mix amended with compost and perlite or fine bark. Arrange all three rhizomes in a triangle with buds upward beneath 7 to 8 cm of mix. Water until surplus drains freely, then let the upper layer begin drying before watering again without allowing the root ball to become completely dry. Position the container in gentle sun or bright partial shade and rotate it regularly to balance stems. Feed at diluted strength during active growth, remove faded spathes, and monitor slugs and leaf spotting. Before the first frost, reduce watering, allow foliage to decline, lift the rhizomes, and store them somewhere cool, dry, dark, and frost-free. Clean the container thoroughly before the following planting season. Raise the pot on feet after heavy rain and never leave its saucer full. Keep foliage dry during watering when practical and provide steady airflow. Move the container temporarily under shelter during violent storms to protect spathes. Wear gloves during cleanup because the sap is irritating, and keep discarded leaves or rhizome fragments away from children and pets. Check drainage holes periodically throughout summer.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
40 cm (16 in)
Width / spread
30 cm (12 in)
Flower color
Velvety black and pure white
Foliage color
Glossy green flecked with white
Foliage type
Evergreen in tropical climates; seasonal or dormant in Quebec
Growth rate
Fast
Growth habit
Upright, architectural, clumping
Fragrance
Light fragrance
Bloom period
Flowers may appear in summer on a mature, well-established plant. Typical of the aroid family, each inflorescence consists of a pale spathe surrounding a narrower spadix. It often remains discreet beneath the enormous foliage and is not guaranteed during Quebec’s short season. The plant is grown primarily for leaves, so do not force flowering through excessive fertilizer. If an inflorescence appears, observe it on the plant instead of treating it as a cut flower. Remove it only after decline if conserving energy for foliage is the priority. It clearly illustrates the botanical structure characteristic of the aroid family.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Combine Calla Tuxedo Time with plants that enjoy warmth, rich soil, and steady moisture without becoming invasive. Cannas repeat its vertical habit; coleus, begonias, impatiens, and ornamental sweet potato add colour and low coverage. Papyrus or finely textured grasses provide contrast in large containers. Leave enough root space and adjust watering to each species, however. Overwinter companions separately whenever their winter requirements differ. Avoid overcrowding the main pot. Separate neighbouring containers create a comparable layered effect while simplifying repotting, pest inspection, watering, and winter storage.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
How should the three Tuxedo Time rhizomes be planted?
Plant in spring after the last frost once soil has warmed. Examine all three rhizomes and retain firm specimens. Set them flat with buds upward beneath about 7 to 8 cm of rich, loose, drained soil, leaving 30 cm between plants. Choose gentle sun or bright partial shade. Water to settle the growing medium around the rhizomes but prevent saturation. In a 35 to 40 cm container, arrange the three pieces in a triangle to balance the clump. Acclimate emerging shoots outdoors gradually and protect them from cold spring nights, sudden intense sunlight, and drying winds while their tender leaves are developing.
Are the flowers truly black and white?
The mix combines pure-white spathes with extremely dark purple spathes that appear velvety black under many lighting conditions. Dark-tone depth may vary with light, temperature, spathe age, and growing conditions. The exact number of flowers in each colour cannot be guaranteed in a living assortment of three rhizomes. Group plants so the contrast remains readable even when flowering does not begin on exactly the same day. A charcoal container, silver foliage, and gentle side lighting highlight both tones without artificially exaggerating the dark colour. Photograph mature spathes in natural light if accurate colour comparison is important. The contrast therefore remains natural and botanically credible.
How can Tuxedo Time succeed in a container?
Use a heavy container 35 to 40 cm wide, at least 30 cm deep, and pierced with several drainage holes. Fill it with rich but airy potting mix, then position all three rhizomes with buds upward. Water deeply and let excess drain; the medium should remain evenly moist during growth without staying saturated. Place the pot in gentle sun or bright partial shade and rotate it regularly to balance stems. Apply diluted balanced fertilizer every two weeks. Watch for slugs, remove faded spathes, and move the container to shelter before the first autumn frost. Never let the pot stand for long periods in a water-filled saucer. throughout the active growing season.
When should spathes be cut for a bouquet?
Cut when the spathe is well open, its colour is even, and the central spadix still appears fresh. Work early in the morning with a clean knife or pruner, then place the stem immediately in fresh water. Recut the base at an angle and remove only foliage that would sit below the waterline. Refresh water often, clean the vase, and keep the bouquet away from direct sun, heat sources, and ripening fruit. Do not harvest every stem from a young plant at once; retain enough foliage to support the rhizome and continued growth. Handle the dark spathes gently because bruising may remain visible. This keeps the display balanced.
How should the rhizomes be overwintered in Quebec?
Before the first frost, reduce watering gradually and allow foliage to begin declining. Lift rhizomes without injuring them, shake away soil, and label ‘Tuxedo Time’ immediately. Let them dry in sheltered airflow, then discard soft, spotted, or foul-smelling pieces. Store sound specimens in dry peat, vermiculite, or breathable paper bags somewhere cool, dry, dark, and frost-free. Inspect them several times through winter and remove any piece that deteriorates. Replant only firm rhizomes after the soil warms in spring and frost danger has passed. Keep stored material away from children and pets because every plant part contains irritating calcium oxalate crystals. Keep every stored batch correctly labelled.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Reported toxicity
Yes
Supporting wildlife
Spadices may receive several insect visitors during summer, but this exotic calla is not a major wildlife resource in Quebec. Complement the planting with locally suitable nectar- and pollen-rich flowers, and avoid pesticide use while those companion plants are blooming. Also provide a shallow, clean water source nearby.
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