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Croton is a small shrub used as a landscape plant in tropical climates. In its native habitat, croton is a branching, bushy shrub that grows up to 10 feet tall but those offered as houseplants are usually much smaller than the wild plant. The large, thick, leathery leaves are 2 to 12 inches long and quite variable.
How big do indoor crotons get?
How tall does a croton plant get? Croton plants can grow up to ten feet high, but dwarf varieties exist that are much shorter. Customarily, the croton plant does not exceed three feet in height. The plant is usually very full, however, as the large leaves cluster together to create volume.
Does croton grow fast?
How fast do croton plants grow? Croton are regarded as slow to moderate growers. Given plenty of bright light and consistently moist soil, your croton may grow as much as 12 inches over the course of one growing season.
How tall and wide do crotons grow?
Crotons as Shrubs Different varieties grow different sizes, but you can find types that grow from 4 to 10 feet tall and wide. Most are relatively slow growers as landscape shrubs and take well to pruning. Once established, crotons are relatively drought tolerant, so they are easy to care for.
What is the lifespan of a croton plant?
The average lifespan of indoor croton is two to four years. To keep your plant outliving its lifespan, take stem cuttings from a mature, healthy plant to propagate the plant.
Do crotons need a lot of light?
Croton plants develop their best colors when grown in bright light. As houseplants, they must be situated in a sunny window. They will tolerate medium light indoors, but won’t grow much and foliage may revert to plain green.
Are croton good house plants?
Croton Indoor Plant The croton plant is often grown outdoors in tropical climates, but also makes excellent houseplants. Crotons come in a wide variety of leaf shapes and colors. Some varieties of croton need high light, while others need medium or low light.
Can crotons survive winter?
Croton is very frost tender and will not survive freezing temperatures. Southern gardeners in frost free zones should have no problem growing croton plants outside. Anyone who lives where there are temperatures that near freezing or 32 degrees F. Also, place the plant where it will not experience cold northern winds.
How often should I water croton?
Watering a Croton plant depends on the situation. It can be daily or weekly because you should never let the soil stay dry for an extended period. However, check if the soil is dry before watering to avoid overwatering and root rot. Keep your Croton plant evenly moist in the summer.
Are crotons invasive?
Crotons prefer a humid environment, so weekly applications of water, especially when conditions are unusually hot and dry, keep them happy and healthy. Because their root systems aren’t invasive, feel free to plant them around foundations and close to your house.
Do crotons like sun or shade?
Many crotons grow best in full sun, but many cultivars can tolerate, and even prefer, light shade partial shade. Crotons are best grown in subtropical South and Central Florida. Frosts or freezes will damage them, but they quickly recover. When used outdoors this plant looks most attractive when grown in groups.
Which crotons do best in shade?
Shade Favoring Crotons *Eburneum along with her 2 ‘sisters’: yellow/green Tamara and the white Lucia. **Petra & yellow Petra while they CAN take lots of sun, leaf definition is more pronounced when shade-grown.
Will croton leaves grow back after freeze?
Even if freezing weather damages a croton severely, the plant almost always comes back, good as new, when spring arrives.
Can Crotons be outside?
Crotons (Codaeum variegatum), also called garden crotons or variegated crotons, are perennial evergreen shrubs that do best outdoors in planting zones 9-11, but are also popular additions to indoor landscaping in greenhouses or as house plants.
Why are croton leaves falling off?
If you accidentally let your Croton’s soil dry out completely, you may see some leaves drop. It will benefit from a good soak in the sink or tub to properly rehydrate the soil. Keep in mind that when the soil goes from bone-dry to saturated, it can cause stress for your Croton and cause leaves to drop.
Is it rare for croton to flower?
A little research revealed that it’s quite rare for indoor Crotons to flower, so perhaps the change in light direction really did play a part.
What plants go well with Crotons?
Try combining croton with other tropical plants grown as annuals that have flowers in colors that repeat the color(s) of the leaves, such as orange-flowering lantana, yellow golden shrimp plant, or red pentas.
Where do I put my croton plant?
Place croton in a sunny location such as an eastern, southern, or western window. If a croton is getting too little light, its newer leaves will be less colorful. Keep the soil evenly moist, but let it dry out between waterings.
Are croton plants hard to care for?
About. Crotons have some of the boldest and brightest foliage around. Often vividly marked with bright yellow, orange, and red, these exotic plants have a reputation for being high-maintenance due to their tropical nature, but once they acclimate to their new home, they’re quite low-care.
Is croton poisonous to dogs?
Toxicity to pets Croton is a common name often used for Codiaeum variegatum, an ornamental plant. Ingestion may cause mild oral and gastrointestinal irritation resulting in mild drooling, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Skin irritation may also occur after exposure to the sap but tends to be mild.
