Croton Norma with multicolored leaves

Credit: Ryan Somma

Croton Norma in the ground

Credit: David J.Stang

Norma croton leaves

Credit: David J Stang

Young and old Croton Norma leaves

Codiaeum variegatum 'Norma', the croton with multicolored leaves

Dreaming of adding a Codiaeum variegatum 'Norma' to your collection of exotic plants? No need to travel to the other side of the world. This variety is a cultivar obtained from the botanical Codiaeum variegatum. You're more likely to find one at your favorite florist than in Polynesia.

How to recognize the Norma croton or Codiaeum variegatum 'Norma'?

The Norma croton is an upright shrub. It can grow up to three meters high in the open ground and in its natural environment. Indoors and in pots, it rarely exceeds two meters.

Codiaeum variegatum 'Norma' boasts the tough, glossy foliage typical of its genus. The oval blades start out yellow. They turn green for a while before taking on their definitive wine-red hue. Thanks to this process, you don't have to choose! Your plant has almost every color of the rainbow at the same time!

The icing on the cake is that Norma croton can even flower indoors. It then adorns itself with clusters of yellow flowers. Once faded, they give way to a round, black berry.

Codiaeum variegatum 'Norma' can only be appreciated with the eyes. The shrub is filled with white latex, an irritating and toxic substance. Wear gloves when handling it, and make sure your pets don't nibble its foliage!

Our maintenance tips

Once you've installed your Croton Norma, 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

Norma 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

Norma 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 'Norma' 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 Norma 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 Norma 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 Norma growing, clean the leaf blades with a damp sponge.

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

Prune

Norma Crotons are toxic. Wear gloves when handling them.

If you wish to control the shape of your Croton Norma, 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