PlantFiles: Croton
Codiaeum variegatum 'Andrew'

I love all Codiaeum/Croton's and am used to seeing the ones with the vivid orange/red/yellow combinations. The variegation of white/green/cream in Andrew's foliage really caught my eye.

This is my second attempt at growing Croton Andrew as a container plant. The first time it succumbed when I was traveling a lot and it didn't get the proper care. This one I've had for about a year. Last winter I moved it into the Florida room with many other plants because we had frosts and a couple of freezes and I don't think it would have survived the extremely cold temp's.

I didn't realize what a fast grower this croton was until I compared my Dec 2008 pic to my May 2007 pic. wow! Mine is a potted patio plant. Because it has made it fine w/o winter protection, I may transplant inground. A low maintenance plant for me. Mine gets sun most of the day but it doesn't get burned or crispy edges.

A very good grower in full sun. Form is loose and upright. Produces sports from time to time that are throw backs to it's parents. Removing the sport keeps the plant from reverting. Colors on leaves are from bright white on the margins to forest green at the center. The two colors blend to shades of seafoam green, colors not common in crotons. The mother plant was purchased from Home Depot in the spring of 1995 as a 2" angel plant after growing to 8' and a 21" tub it was planted in to the ground 3 years ago in West Kendall, Fla. In heavy soil it never shed a leaf and has added 4' in height.
No Pest Problems

UPDATE 09/03/2007 - Andy Currently stands at about 10'. This bush was laid flat by both Katrina and then Wilma. The point of this is that they where in opposite directions. The plant was so hardy that it hardly lost a leaf. On the last righting I installed limestone rocks to give the bush something to attach to with stability. When this pant sports reverted sprouts they are deep green with yellow to gold spots. The mid vein is light green and not yellow or gold.