Croton leaves
Croton in a pot
Croton yellow and green foliage
Croton flowers
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Croton, all the colors of autumn
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Do you love autumn and wish the season of colorful foliage would never end? There's no need to travel to the other side of the world when winter and spring are just around the corner. Instead, grow a croton (Latin: Codiaeum variegatum). This shrub from the Euphorbiaceae family comes to us from Malaysia. And its evergreen foliage brings together all the colors of the late season.
How to recognize croton, Codiaeum variegatum?
Codiaeum variegatum is an upright, spreading shrub. In the wild, it reaches a height of three meters. In pots, it grows to no more than 1.5 meters.
The woody, light-brown stem may be single or branched. It supports alternate leaves. Blades measure up to 30 centimetres. Coriaceous and glossy, they have pronounced, contrasting veins. Foliage color and shape vary according to hybrid. Leaves can be elliptical, oval, ribbed or lobed, as in croton Norma. Varieties come in cream, pink, purple, yellow or green foliage. Some cultivars are even multi-hued! Often plain, the leaf blades can sometimes be variegated, marbled or spotted, as with croton Gold Dust.
The woody, light-brown stem may be single or branched. It supports alternate leaves. Blades measure up to 30 centimetres. Coriaceous and glossy, they have pronounced, contrasting veins. Foliage color and shape vary according to hybrid. Leaves can be elliptical, oval, ribbed or lobed, as in croton Norma. Varieties come in cream, pink, purple, yellow or green foliage. Some cultivars are even multi-hued! Often plain, the leaf blades can sometimes be variegated, marbled or spotted, as with croton Gold Dust.
The plant blooms in winter. It hosts clusters of yellow flowers. With their numerous stamens, they resemble stars or pompons.
Once flowering is complete, they turn into round black berries. This fruit contains the seeds that enable the croton to multiply.
Codiaeum variegatum is a poisonous plant. Its sap contains a white, highly irritating latex. It causes mouth burns if ingested and eczema if touched. Remember to wear gloves when trimming your croton. Keep your specimen out of the reach of pets and small children.
Our maintenance tips
Once you've installed your Croton, don't move it again. Plants hate change. Give it a bright spot, but don't stick it up against the glass. In winter, the temperature difference between day and night could kill the plant.
Watering
Codiaeum variegatum can withstand neither drought nor excess water.
Before watering, check the condition of the potting soil. The surface must be at least one centimeter dry.
Before watering, check the condition of the potting soil. The surface must be at least one centimeter dry.
Spray
Codiaeum variegatum like humidity. Mist your plant with non-calcareous water at room temperature. Avoid spraying tap water. It leaves white marks on the foliage.
As well as improving hygrometry, spraying helps to prevent pest infestations.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Codiaeum variegatum to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Obtain a pierced pot two or three times the size of the previous one. Line the bottom with clay balls or gravel to promote drainage.
Then pour in a layer of potting soil for green plants. Plant your Croton in the center of the pot and add substrate.
Press down to remove air bubbles and water with room-temperature water to accelerate rooting.
The plant is toxic. Remember to wear gloves and wash your hands after repotting.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Give your Croton a green plant fertilizer to support its growth.
Follow the instructions on the product! If you overdose, you could damage its foliage.
Cleaning
Dust accumulating on the leaves slows down the photosynthesis process. To keep your Croton growing, clean the leaf blades with a damp sponge.
Remember that codiaeum variegatum are toxic. Wear gloves or wash your hands after handling your plant.
Remember that codiaeum variegatum are toxic. Wear gloves or wash your hands after handling your plant.
Prune
Codiaeum variegatum are toxic. Wear gloves when handling them.
If you wish to control the shape of your Croton, prune any branches that have become too large using clean, sharp pruning shears.
Has your plant lost a lot of leaves? Cut bald stems flush. Always cut above a node to facilitate healing.
Cutting
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Remove a lateral stem of about fifteen centimeters with clean, sharp pruning shears. The plant is toxic. Wear gloves during the operation and wash your hands afterwards.
Remove the leaves at the bottom and keep only one or two pairs at the top. You can dip the tip in cutting hormone to increase your chances of success.
Plant your graft in a pierced pot filled with potting soil for seedlings and cuttings. Bury the stem, but not the leaves.
Stem cuttings are done in a smothered state. Cover the pot with a translucent plastic bag or place it in a mini greenhouse. Place in semi-shade, in a room with a temperature of at least 24 degrees.
Aerate for a few minutes each day, and spray the substrate if it dries out.
Diseases / Threats
Information
| Family | Euphorbiaceae - Euphorbiaceae |
| Type | Croton - Codiaeum |
| Species | Croton - Codiaeum variegatum |
| Lifecycle | Perennial |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Exposures | |
| Substrat | |
| Planting method |
In pots |
| Categories | |
| Tags |
Fritillary Soiffarde Toxic |
| Origins |
Southeast Asia Oceania |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 12a |
| Leaf color |
|
| Flower color |
|
| Fruit color |
|
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