[ad_1]
Plant Type) Houseplant, Shrub
Light Needs) Partial Shade to Full Sun
Height) 4 feet to 8 feet
Width) 3 feet to 6 feet
Grow Zone) 9a — 11
Foliage Color) Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Variegated, And Yellow
Pros) Attractive multi-colored leaves
Cons) Some plant parts are poisonous.
Croton plants can be grown inside the home or planted outdoors if you have favorable climate conditions. In the warmer climate of the South, the croton plant is grown side by side or used as a stand alone ornamental plant.
These colorful leaved plants belong to the Codieaum family. Depending on the species, its leaves can be red, yellow and green. Reaching 6-8 inches in length, they point upwards and look and feel as if coated in wax. Common varieties include Croton Petra and Croton Mammy.
Caring for the Croton
Adequate lighting is important to the croton. Whether grown indoors or outside, place the croton where it receives bright light a minimum of 3 hours a day. Inadequate lighting will cause its vibrant colors to fade.
The croton will do best when provided plenty of water and occasional misting. The soil or pot used to grow the plant should be well drained. Do not allow the plant to stay in saturated soil for long, as this can lead to some fungal diseases.
Ideally you want to keep the croton warm, which is around 80 degrees F. When grown in warm, sunny locations you’ll find the croton colors and foliage sparkle with life.
This lovely shurb is relatively easy to grow and has few pest or disease problems. The plant can recover from a hard freeze, although it many take many months to do so.
