PlantFiles: Croton
Codiaeum variegatum

Likes to be misted. Can get spider mites very easily. Spider mites don't care for a moist enviornment, so when ever you have the chance squirt it!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all of you who shared your pix of these plants. I have several lovely crotons but none as grand as some of these pix.
All the gardens in my yard are container gardens, due to back problems, & for the same reason most of my potted plants must weather the winter outside. Surprisingly enough the crotons have survived some pretty harsh winters (for area 9b) so I guess I've been fortunate. They die back but have come back beautifully.
The oaks here must provide not only acid soil from the falling leaves but a little protection from the cold.
My crotons are mixed in with various ferns, bromeliads, impatiens, palms, ivy, coleus & a myriad of other plants with like needs. I do very little for them except mist them a.m. & p.m. They get about 50/50 sun/shade.
Due to their brilliant colors, are perfect for gardens with no flowers.

These are true no to extremely low maintenance plants for me. I know once I put one in my yard I never have to worry about it kicking the bucket. I've got 2 in my yard that I help my grandparents plant about 17 years ago and they look still look excellent all the time. They've held up through frost, drought, heavily excessive amounts of rain, weeks of standing water. Nice for tropical effect and some nice for brilliant color.

My son loves crotons and is accumulating a collection of different varieties. When a plant gets too large, we cut limbs off, use in flower arragements in the house (lots of lovely colors!) let them root in the water and replant somewhere else where fillers or color is needed......

These grow all over the place here in 9b. There are a huge variety of types that vary in leaf shape and color. Varigated colors range from deep burgundy up through pinks and yellows through almost white. They add nice foliage color to a tropical setting. Check out [HYPERLINK@www.croton-mania.com] They're susceptible to scale. Easy to propogate by simply putting a cut branch into potting soil and keeping it moist. I propogate them all the time.

Varieties of differing growth habit crotons grouped together under a tree helps them flourish in New Delhi (zone 10a). It seems that the micro-climate of a tree (in my garden a neem tree—uploading image), and wind protecting each other the crotons add a lot of colour throughout the year.

Previously, where these were in open/exposed conditions or even against a south wall, during winters they tended to die down or become leggy.

I have this plant indoors, and just bought it, does it need to stay indoors for my zone? (6b), most seem to have theirs outdoors.