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Shrubs

Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum (v)

garden croton

An upright, evergreen shrub with thick, leathery, often deeply-lobed leaves. These are rich green, heavily veined with yellow when young and developing variable red flushing with age. Sprays of small, white, star-shaped flowers may appear in summer

Other common names

croton
sun-spot croton

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1B

Botanical details

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Sap may cause skin irritation. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Codiaeum are evergreen shrubs, trees and perennials with large, leathery, often variegated, leaves. Sprays of tiny white or yellow, star-shaped flowers may appear in summer
Name status: Correct
Plant range: S & SE Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in good light but shaded from hot sun, with high humidity. See Codiaeum for futher advice

Propagation

Propagate by air layering in spring, or root softwood cuttings with bottom heat in summer, after dipping the cut ends in powdered charcoal to reduce bleeding

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Sub-tropical
Patio and container plants

Pruning

Pruning group 9. Cut back leggy plants to about 10cm and dust wounds with powdered charcoal to reduce bleeding

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally problem free

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