Codiaeum, Croton

Family Euphorbiaceae. Native to Southeast Asia and the islands of the Pacific Ocean.

This common houseplant is valued for the beauty of its leaves, sometimes of unusual shape. Stems are erect and strongly branching. The leaves of Codiaeum are leathery and glossy.

There are Codiaeums with laurel-like leaves, lobed, twisted, long strap-like, finger-like, etc. A large number of hybrids occur in cultivation, and it can be difficult to determine their exact names.

Most often this plant is found for sale under the name Variegated Codiaeum - Codiaeum variegatum (or Croton). This plant requires particular attention and care; it does not tolerate watering with cold water or drafts. Codiaeum sometimes flowers indoors with small whitish flowers.



Temperature: Codiaeum is a heat-loving plant; in winter it is kept at a temperature of about 16-18 °C, minimum 16 °C.

Lighting: Light-loving; to maintain the multicolored leaf coloration it needs a lot of sun, however spring sun should be introduced gradually. In summer shading may be necessary during the hottest hours. In winter a bright room is required. With insufficient light the variegation of the leaves is lost. The ideal location is an east or west window.

Watering: Abundant from spring to autumn; the soil should only dry slightly. In winter watering is more moderate. It tolerates dryness of the root ball poorly and may drop almost all its leaves, although excessive soil moisture is also undesirable. Water for watering should be warm and well-settled. To prevent water from stagnating at the bottom of the pot, provide good drainage.

based on materials from the website www.iplants.ru