Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum (v)

RHS Plant Profile

garden croton

RHS

Other common names

croton, sun-spot croton

Shrubs

An upright, evergreen shrub with thick, leathery, often deeply-lobed leaves. These are rich green, heavily veined with yellow when young and developing variable red flushing with age. Sprays of small, white, star-shaped flowers may appear in summer

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Sap may cause skin irritation. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Codiaeum are evergreen shrubs, trees and perennials with large, leathery, often variegated, leaves. Sprays of tiny white or yellow, star-shaped flowers may appear in summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S & SE Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in good light but shaded from hot sun, with high humidity. See Codiaeum for futher advice

Propagation

Propagate by air layering in spring, or root softwood cuttings with bottom heat in summer, after dipping the cut ends in powdered charcoal to reduce bleeding

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Sub-tropical
Patio and container plants

Pruning

Pruning group 9. Cut back leggy plants to about 10cm and dust wounds with powdered charcoal to reduce bleeding

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally problem free