Croton Gold Dust in the ground

Credit: Julie Corsi

Green and yellow leaves croton Gold dust

Credit: Wendy Cutler

Croton Gold Dust bush

Credit: Cultivar 413

Gold Dust croton, golden speckled foliage

Gold Dust croton belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. But, unlike its cousins, it doesn't grow in the forests of Malaysia or the islands of Polynesia. Its mottled foliage was created in the laboratory, by crossing and modifying several varieties of the botanical Codiaeum codiaeum variegatum.

How to recognize Gold Dust croton, Codiaeum variegatum 'Gold Dust'?

Codiaeum variegatum 'Gold Dust' is one of the tallest crotons. It reaches a height of two meters, whereas petra Croton doesn't exceed 1.5 meters. It is an upright, compact shrub.

Croton Gold Dust is easily recognized by its green leaves, speckled with bright yellow or gold. Elliptical or obovate, the blades are leathery and shiny. They measure up to twelve centimetres long and three centimetres wide.

Evergreen foliage is not the only attraction of Codiaeum variegatum 'Gold Dust'. Star-shaped yellow flowers can bloom, even indoors.

But flowering rarely produces fruit in our latitudes. Don't expect to see round, black berries adorning your tree in autumn.

Gold Dust croton is a poisonous plant. Keep it out of reach of young children and pets. Remember to wear gloves when pruning or repotting. Its sap contains a white latex that is irritating to the skin and mucous membranes.

Our maintenance tips

Once you've installed your Croton Gold Dust, 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

Gold Dust Crotons 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.

Spray

Gold Dust Crotons 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 'Gold Dust' 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 Gold Dust 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 Gold Dust 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 Gold Dust growing, clean the leaf blades with a damp sponge.

Remember that gold Dust Crotons are toxic. Wear gloves or wash your hands after handling your plant.

Prune

Gold Dust Crotons are toxic. Wear gloves when handling them.

If you wish to control the shape of your Croton Gold Dust, 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

Whiteflies

Red spiders

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Euphorbiaceae - Euphorbiaceae
Type	Croton - Codiaeum
Species	Croton - Codiaeum variegatum
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Shrub Interior
Tags	Fritillary Soiffarde Toxic
Origins	Southeast Asia Oceania
Hardiness (USDA)	12a
Leaf color
Flower color
Fruit color