Crotons are ornamental-deciduous houseplants that are quite easy to care for.
They prefer well-drained soil. But do they bloom like other ornamental plants?
Do Crotons flower?
Crotons are known to be bushy houseplants with shiny leathery leaves.
Crotons produce tiny, star-shaped yellow flowers that hang down in long clusters between the large leaves.
Crotons flower in winter
When planting crotons, you need to choose the right location. Make sure to pick a sunny spot in a sunny area of your garden.
Once established, crotons are moderately drought-tolerant shrubs and do best with a regular irrigation schedule. To maintain the healthy growth of your crotons, fertilize them three times a year.
Crotons flower in winter and can be planted as close together as two feet. Plant the larger varieties two to three feet apart and at least two feet from your house.
To keep your crotons healthy, keep their soil evenly moist and free from the dry, rocky soil. They thrive in full to partial shade, but too much sunlight will wash away their vibrant colors. You can also use a high-performance humidifier to maintain the proper humidity around your croton.
Because crotons are prone to spider mites, be sure to mist them frequently to prevent infestation. Crotons can be brought outdoors once the temperature is above 50 F. They may need to be acclimated to the conditions of the outdoors before they can blossom.
If you grow crotons in the southern states, remember to protect them from frost and other cold snaps. They require special care during cold snaps and need to be watered often to insulate their roots and keep them warm.
Keep Crotons in a pot inside during the winter. Crotons will thrive indoors. Just remember to bring them in a container when the weather is cold. When winter comes, they’ll be looking for warmth in a pot!
They are ornamental-deciduous houseplants
A beautiful and colorful plant, crotons are an excellent choice for any interior decoration. The foliage is multicolored and oftentimes translates to Picasso’s brush.
These plants are native to the tropical islands of the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Their leaves are typically two to 12 inches long and are alternately lobed and wavy. Their foliage is attractive in winter and is often variegated with different colors.
Crotons are typically pest-free, but occasionally problems can occur. Insufficient moisture, lack of nutrients, and cool breezes can lead to poor plant health. This can lead to a variety of diseases, pests, and a lackluster appearance.
You should check for these issues with your local county extension office. Crotons are hardy houseplants that need moderate moisture.
Watering them when the top inch of soil dries is sufficient. Too much or too little water will cause them to drop leaves.
These ornamental-deciduous houseplants have a long history of cultivation. In natural conditions, crotons can grow up to 1.5 meters tall but are usually grown as indoor plants.
Crotons are best known for their colorful leaves, which are the most prominent part of the plant.
Their leaves are distinctly variegated and vary in size. The variegation appears as the plant ages.
The plant also produces flowers, but these do not have much of a decorative value. In addition to the colorful foliage, crotons are also toxic. Hence, if you live with children, it may not be the best choice.
They are easy to care for
Caring for Crotons is relatively easy.
This species is not very pest-prone, but can occasionally be affected by a fungus or scale infestation.
Keep an eye on leaves for signs of insect infestation or changes in texture.
You can also apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to keep pests at bay.
Taking proper care of Crotons will ensure they grow as long as possible. Crotons need bright light, high humidity, and moist soil.
They also require regular misting.
You should keep the temperature at around 20degC. In colder climates, crotons are susceptible to damage from cold.
The ideal temperature for crotons is 20degC. In warmer regions, crotons should not experience problems, but they do need a cool environment to survive. Avoid cold drafts by moving the plant away from windows or doors. This way, it can thrive and bloom in a warm environment.
Crotons are propagated through stem cuttings. After repotting, they may produce new shoots, known as sports, that are not directly connected to the parent plant. You can trim the sports from the parent plant and transplant them to a separate pot.
The plant does not grow from seeds, so it is important to select stem cuttings with at least three leaves. Once you have the stem cut, place it in a potting medium that contains peat moss or vermiculite.
They require well-drained soil
To get the best flowering results, crotons need well-drained soil. In addition to good drainage, they require a pH level of 6.5.
For these reasons, you should mix in some organic matter, such as peat moss or natural compost. Another great addition is perlite, which will regulate the amount of moisture and aeration.
If your soil is not pH-balanced, consider adding some lime or organic fertilizer to keep the pH level balanced.
Overwatering is a common issue with crotons. These plants love moist conditions, but a fine line exists between consistently moist and overwatered soil.
Waterlogged soil can cause root rot. The leaves will drop off or droop as they can’t draw enough nutrients. If this happens, your plant will not bloom or produce enough flowers. If you can’t keep your soil consistently moist, water every week or two.
When it comes to growing crotons, make sure they have a location that is sunny. They will flower well in full sun or part shade. Planting in partial shade will protect them from sunburn and dehydration.
The afternoon shade will cut the hottest rays of the sun. Avoid planting them in areas with strong winds as they may cause leaves to fall. If your area is shady, you can also provide shade to prevent wind damage.
They are susceptible to a host of pests
Many different types of pests attack crotons, including mealybugs and thrips. Mealybugs can cause extensive damage by eating the undersides of leaves and stems.
You must carefully inspect your crop daily to detect them. If you notice any of these insects, you should use insecticidal soap to treat the plant. You can also apply it to crevasses and the underside of croton leaves.
Spider mites, which can severely damage your Crotons, are also common. These tiny insects leave webs on plants’ leaves and soil. They can also damage your crop’s growth and cause leaf drops.
Spider mites can be treated with a pesticide, but you must separate houseplants to limit their population. Some other common pests of crotons are false spider mites, bright red mites, and two-spotted mites.
Crotons should be repotted yearly, preferably in the early spring, or when the roots begin to grow out of the drainage holes.
You should also repot them in a larger container, with plenty of drainage holes, if possible.
When repotted, make sure the new container is one size bigger than the previous one, and add one to two inches of peat-based potting soil.
Crown gall is another pest common to crotons. The disease appears as swollen sections on the stems and leaves. You should remove and sterilize any affected plant immediately, and then use sterile gardening tools and containers.
Crown gall can spread to other plants and leave a trail of destruction. Crotons need six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day, so you should place them in a sunny window, preferably facing east or west.
They are toxic
If you have ever had a pet and wondered if crotons are toxic, you are not alone. Crotons are incredibly toxic to animals and should be kept out of the reach of young children and pets.
Although the toxin in crotons is not life-threatening, it can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in your pet. If you suspect that your pet has ingested the sap of a croton plant, a blood test can help identify the toxins in your pet’s system. Also, if you notice your pet has developed dermatitis spots on their skin, you may have ingested crotons.
Although crotons are not particularly attractive to pets, they can cause gastrointestinal problems and skin irritation. You can also be cautious about planting crotons near your home because they are toxic to pets and humans alike.
Although most pet owners only buy crotons for their flowers and leaves, you should keep in mind that crotons are also toxic to animals. The leaves and flowers are most attractive to pets, but all parts of crotons are toxic.
Conclusion
There are several varieties of crotons. Codiaeum variegatum is one of them. It grows up to 10 feet in height, but it is more often used in containers.
It is hardy in USDA Zones 10a to -1. The sap from this plant contains a chemical called croton oil, which has powerful purgative and skin irritant properties.
Large specimens can be 10 inches in diameter.