Table of Contents
Crotons as Annuals They are eye-catching and attractive companions for coleus, canna, celosia, lantana, angelonia, marigolds, and other seasonal favorites. Many croton varieties, including popular ‘Petra’ are variegated with shades of red, orange, and yellow.
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.
Can crotons be planted together?
The Mammy croton can be maintained about 2 to 2-1/2 feet. Different varieties can be planted together for a riot of color and a mix of textures, or place several of the same variety to grow together in a “drift.”.
Where is the best place to plant a croton?
Crotons are relatively easy-going plants in the landscape, but they don’t tolerate wet feet well and should be planted in well-drained soil. They will thrive in either full sun or part-shade locations, though in shadier spots their colors may be more muted.
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.
Is it rare for a 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.
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.
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.
Is croton indoor or outdoor plant?
While croton plants thrive in bright light indoors, they will go into shock if you simply move them from your front room into the baking hot sun outside on the patio. If you want to enjoy croton plants outside during the summer, you need to get them ready for the move first (a process called “hardening off”).
How do you make a croton colorful?
Get it in good shape first. Give it plenty of water and fertilizer, then when it is growing vigorously, cut it back severely. You can even lop it off below the bottom leaves, Bender says. It will soon respond with a new crop of colorful foliage.
Do crotons flower?
Crotons are generally bushy plants with large, leathery, shiny leaves. They do bloom, but their tiny, star-shaped yellow flowers are insignificant, hanging down in long clusters between the large leaves. Crotons are native to southern Asia and certain Pacific islands, where they grow as semi-tropical plants.
Do crotons multiply?
Reproduction of Croton: I found out that it can be done by air layering or sometimes from green and semi-green stem and tip cuttings. However, reproduction with stem cuttings is considered to be the best and most convenient way to reproduce this genus.
Why croton leaves fall 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.
How big do croton Petras get?
Great for container, or can be used as an indoor plant, or mass plantings. Best in partial shade to full sun. When planted outdoors, may require more watering to maintain growth. Can grow up to 6ft tall.
Do croton plants like to be root bound?
These are low light and low water plants. They generally do well slightly root bound. That means don’t water it. The croton is a high light plant and unless you have sunny winters or are providing artificial light, it will probably decline quickly as a houseplant due to insufficient light.
Does a Petra croton flower?
Petra Croton Indoor Plant Growing Guide. This woody perennial is largely considered as a houseplant in colder climates, noted for its striking foliage; glossy, leathery, ovate or lanceolate leaves in a bright range of colors. It features dainty racemes of white star-shaped flowers from late winter to early spring.
What does a croton plant look like?
Croton Indoor Plant Crotons come in a wide variety of leaf shapes and colors. Leaves can be short, long, twisted, thin, thick, and several of these combined. Colors range from green, variegated, yellow, red, orange, cream, pink, and black to a combination of all these.
Do Crotons produce seeds?
At home croton can be propagated by stem or leaf cuttings, or by seeds if hybrids are cultivated. Croton seeds quickly lose their germination capacity, so you need to sow freshly harvested seeds.
Can I leave my croton outside?
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. Position the plant so it receives plenty of bright but indirect light to keep the foliage colors bright.
Are crotons toxic 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.
What conditions do crotons like?
Temperature and Weather Conditions – Crotons like warm weather, and they tend to grow best in an environment that is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or chilly drafts of air can cause the plant to lose its leaves, and it is possible that it may even die.
