Codiaeum variegatum, also called “Garden Croton” or “Variegated Croton”, is a species of plant in the genus Codiaeum, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family.
These colorful tropical foliage plants look great when grown in pots and grouped with other tropical plants such as dwarf bananas, bromeliads, gingers, gardenias, small heliconias, hibiscus, jasmine, orchids or plumerias.
Croton plants are known for their colorful foliage that has a waxy texture with upright growth and outward-facing leaves. The more sun or bright light Croton plants receive, the more colorful their foliage becomes.
Crotons should be well watered with moist soil. They prefer to grow in high humidity conditions and benefit from daily misting when humidity is low.
When fertilizing Croton plants, any high nitrogen fertilizer such as 9-3-6 is recommended.
Crotons belong to the Euphorbiaceae family and are therefore considered poisonous. The sap can cause skin eczema and is also toxic if ingested.
Popular varieties of these colorful tropical foliage plants include Codiaeum variegatum ‘Gold Moon’, Codiaeum variegatum ‘Gold Sun’, Codiaeum variegatum ‘Goldfinger’, Codiaeum variegatum ‘Grubell’, Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’ and Codiaeum variegatum ‘Excellent’.
Croton plants, when grown outdoors, should be sheltered or brought indoors if the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, leaf drop may occur.
Another large group of colorful tropical foliage plants are the Caladium plants, which is a genus of plants in the Araceae family.
There are currently more than 1,000 cultivars of Caladium bicolor, which is considered the original Caladium of South America.
Caladium plants have been cultivated in Europe since the 18th century.
Popular varieties of these colorful tropical foliage plants include Candidum White, Cardinal Red, Carolyn Wharton Pink, Fannie Munson Pink, Frieda Hemple Red, Postman Joyner Red, Roselight Pink, White Queen, and Red Red, to name a few.
Croton and Caladium plants can be grown outdoors during the warmer months of the year and indoors as houseplants the rest of the year.
Caladium plants are only hardy in zones 9 and 10. In cooler regions, they should be dug up in the fall. They also make excellent indoor plants throughout the year.
While actively growing Caladium plants need a high amount of moisture and should not be allowed to dry out.
As with Croton plants, it’s best to use a high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as 9-3-6, and mist its foliage daily if humidity is low.
All parts of Caladium plants are considered poisonous and can cause skin irritations in sensitive individuals.
I hope you are already enjoying your Croton and Caladium plants. If not, give them a try and brighten up your indoor plant stand or add needed color to your outdoor garden.
