Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum 'Petra' (v)

RHS Plant Profile
garden croton 'Petra'

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garden croton 'Petra' RHS

Synonyms

Croton petra

Shrubs
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An evergreen shrub with veined, leathery leaves which vary from shades of green, reddish-pink to yellow

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 East–facing or West–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, Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
May cause stomach upset if ingested. 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
Unresolved

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

  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical

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 disease-free