How to grow codiaeum

What are crotons?

Known as crotons or codiaeums (or botanically as Codiaeum variegatum), these are bold and colourful evergreen shrubs, native to tropical regions of Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. When grown as houseplants, they need consistently warm temperatures, indirect light, regular watering and high air humidity.

Several cultivars are available, offering different leaf shapes, textures and colour variegations, including white, purple, orange, yellow, red and pink. The colours often form contrasting splashes or blotches or follow the veins of the leaves. Plants range from a compact 30cm (1ft) tall, up to 90cm (3ft) or more, depending on the cultivar and age.
 
Wear gloves when handling codiaeums, as the white latex-like sap is a skin/eye irritant, and all parts of the plant are poisonous, so always keep them safely away from children and pets.

Buying crotons

It’s usually best to buy plants in person, rather than online, so you can choose the leaf shape and colouring you prefer. These flamboyant plants are available from many houseplant retailers, with larger stockists offering the widest range of cultivars.

Choose a healthy-looking plant with lots of vibrant leaves and no signs of wilting or damage. As codiaeums are tropical plants, be sure to keep them warm while bringing them home.

Location

Crotons need bright but indirect light in summer to grow well. In insufficient light, the leaves may lose their vibrant colours or drop, but if exposed to full summer sun through glass, they may overheat and scorch. The plants will grow less in winter, when light levels are lower. 

Temperature

As codiaeums originate in tropical regions, they need constant warmth throughout the year, around 18–35°C (65–95°F). Make sure they don’t go below 15°C (55°F). Fluctuating temperatures and cold draughts can cause the leaves to drop.

Humidity

These tropical plants like moist air, so stand the pot over a tray of damp pebbles or ceramic clay granules – the water will slowly evaporate, raising the humidity around the foliage.

Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth occasionally too, to remove dust and help the plant absorb sunlight efficiently.

Watering

Water once the top layer of compost has dried out, preferably using rainwater at room temperature. Too much water can lead to root rot, so hold off watering if the compost is still damp to the touch and tip any excess away afterwards, so plants aren’t left standing in water for long periods.

Avoid using hard tap water on a regular basis, as this makes the compost more alkaline, instead of maintaining the acidic conditions that codiaeums enjoy. Use collected rainwater or softened water whenever possible.

Reduce watering in winter, when growth slows down – always let the compost be your guide, only watering when the surface feels dry.

Codiaeums can be tricky to keep in good condition, as they need high humidity and constant warmth. The main issues you may find are:

• Leaf drop – if your plant is losing a lot of leaves, it may be because the compost is too dry, or the air is too dry, the plant is in a cold draught or the temperature is below 15°C (55°F) for a long period

• Root rot – is caused by waterlogged compost, due to overwatering, leaving the pot standing in water, or using poorly draining compost (add perlite to improve drainage when repotting). Left unchecked, this can kill the plant