Shrub
White Candles
Whitfieldia elongata
Traits
Varieties We Carry
StandardWhitfieldia elongata
Sizes & Pricing
3 galFrom$19.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightPart Sun, Part Shade
WaterModerate
Mature size3-6 feet × 3-4 feet
About White Candles
White Candles (Whitfieldia elongata) is a shade-loving tropical shrub from West Africa in the acanthus family, grown for its erect spikes of tubular white flowers that emerge from silvery bracts over an extended season. It forms a compact, upright plant with dark, glossy green leaves and thrives in humid, sheltered garden positions. A distinctive flowering shrub for shaded tropical and subtropical gardens. Starting at $19.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Fall, Winter, Spring
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Active growing season.
Bloom season. Ideal planting window.
Bloom season. Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
White candles demands bright shade or filtered light in NE Florida; direct sun bleaches foliage and inhibits flowering. Morning sun with afternoon shade or dappled light under trees is ideal.
Water
Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged; wilts quickly when dry. NE Florida's humid summers suit it well — water every 2–3 days in dry periods and ensure excellent drainage to prevent root rot.
Soil & Fertilizer
Use rich, humus-amended, well-drained loam. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring and again in early fall. Grow as a container plant in NE Florida zone 9b so it can be moved indoors when temperatures drop below 40°F.
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Common questions
Is White Candles a good plant for St. Augustine?
White Candles is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 3-6 feet × 3-4 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.