Houseplant croton: planting, propagation and care

• February 15, 2019
• Houseplants
• Natalia Miroshnikova

If you are an inexperienced gardener and have just begun your acquaintance with indoor plants, then you should take a closer look at croton or codiaum. This attractive decorative deciduous compact shrub will decorate your interior, and caring for it does not take much time and effort.

Botanical description

This decorative deciduous shrub belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. And like most plants of this family, croton is poisonous. Therefore, when caring for him at home, do not forget to wear gloves. Otherwise, you risk being poisoned by the milky juice, which will lead to nausea, vomiting, contact dermatitis and diarrhea. For the same reason, the flower pot should be kept away from children and pets.

The Pacific Islands are considered the birthplace of the croton plant, but the flower is also found in Northern Australia, India and Southeast Asia. According to various estimates, up to 1200 species are included in the genus Codiaum. But at home, only hybrids of the variegated variety are grown.

Croton is an evergreen shrub up to 1.5 meters high. But at home, the size of the plant is somewhat more modest (35-70 cm). The elastic stems of codiaum are covered with large, leathery leaves of oblong, asymmetrical or broadly ovate shape. Depending on the variety, the tips of the plates are pointed or blunt.

Initially, the leaves of the plant are colored in light green shades with a yellowish tint. But as they grow, they acquire a bright color and can be either emerald or burgundy, but in any case they will have noticeable veins and spots.

The plant produces buds every year. But you hardly want to watch the croton bloom, because this spectacle does not add decorative value to the culture. Codiaum buds are small, inconspicuous, and they also draw juices from the crop. And if you do not plan to propagate the shrub by seed, then it is better to immediately cut out the flower stalks.

FAQ

Are the plant leaves drying out?

Follow the regime of watering and moistening the soil. In addition, due to non-compliance with this regime, the plant may be attacked by parasites.

Are the plant's leaves falling off?

This happens from time to time, and this is normal, as with most plants. The exception is when many leaves fall in a short period. The reason is most often, again, a violation of the watering and moistening regime. Also – a sharp change in temperature and insufficiently nutritious soil.

Is the plant poisonous?

As stated above, yes. If croton juice enters the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhea and vomiting most often occur, and exposure of croton juice to the skin can cause dermatitis. Therefore, after any “communication” with croton, you should wash your hands.

Where to keep the pot?

Croton is a light-loving plant, but prefers diffused light, since direct sunlight leaves burns on delicate foliage. In this regard, it is advisable to keep the pot on an east or west window. In summer, it is better to move the flower deeper into the room, to a northern windowsill, or at least shade the plant from the midday rays.

But in winter, croton may suffer from a lack of light, and this causes the variegated color of the leaves to fade. To avoid such problems, move the codiaum to a southern window sill or provide additional illumination with a phytolamp.

At any time of the year, regularly ventilate the room, because without fresh air, croton does not develop well. But make sure that the flower does not suffer from drafts - it absolutely cannot stand them. Therefore, when airing, take the pot to another room. In summer, take the pot out onto the balcony, but choose quiet places away from gusts of wind and direct sunlight.

How to water a flower?

Croton is a moisture-loving plant, but you should not overwater it, because the flower does not tolerate both drought and stagnation of moisture at the roots. Therefore, you need to water the soil often, but in small portions. In this case, it is advisable to increase the humidity in the summer and reduce it in the winter. How do you know when it's time to water a flower? Test the soil; if it has dried to a depth of 2 cm, then it’s time to moisten the soil. As a rule, in summer you need to moisten the substrate once every 2-3 days. In winter, it is enough to water the flower once a week. In general, be guided by the conditions in your apartment.

Croton cannot be watered with regular running water. He could die from this. Therefore, use exclusively soft, filtered water and leave it for at least a day before watering.

A few words about croton (Codiaeum), or the conviction of the unconditional benefits of the flower

The oval, slightly elongated, leathery leaves of croton attract with their density and various shades. But few people know that “codeia” means “head” in Greek. Probably, in those days, when the Greeks first saw the codiaum, they were preoccupied with styling their voluminous and colorful hair!

But this is humor, and the facts are as follows:

• Croton can become a real tree with professional care. Its height can reach 1.5-4 m;
• it has a positive effect on the nervous system, calming and uplifting. There cannot be depression where codiaum grows;
• the flower disinfects the air, so it is simply necessary in the nursery.

Croton can disinfect the air in the room

For these reasons, both beginners and experienced gardeners want to grow more than one specimen on the territory entrusted to them. And here they know exactly how to do it!

We create optimal conditions

The croton plant prefers a humid environment, because under natural conditions it lives in tropical forests. And dry air is contraindicated for it. To create optimal conditions, place a special device next to the codiaum - a humidifier. If you do not have such a device, then you can make do with improvised means. For example, containers with water or damp moss placed next to the croton will help increase humidity.

When caring for a flower, do not forget to spray the foliage and wipe it from dust with a damp sponge. Carry out these procedures in warm weather at least every other day, and in winter at least once a week. In the summer, it is advisable to give the tropical beauty a warm shower. But during this event, wrap the pot in plastic to prevent water from getting into the soil.

How to feed a plant

Croton needs regular feeding, because from a lack of nutrients its foliage loses its variegated color. To avoid this, apply fertilizer once every two weeks from late March to early November. For fertilizing, use liquid mineral formulations and apply them strictly after watering. Otherwise you will burn out the tender roots of the flower.

In winter, croton, as a rule, does not need fertilizer. But if you notice that the flower is “withering,” then feed it. But do not apply medications more than once a month.

How and when to replant a flower?

Indoor croton is a plant that develops well with proper care. And after a while he becomes cramped in the old potty. Therefore, it is advisable to transplant the flower into a larger pot. Such an event should be carried out at the beginning of spring, then the plant will more easily withstand the stress of the procedure. Replant young crotons annually, and adult specimens once every three years.

First, prepare a new pot. Please note that water will accumulate in a pot that is too large, which will lead to rotting of the roots. To prevent this from happening, choose a shallow container with a diameter 2-2.5 cm larger than the previous one. Moreover, the material of the pot does not play a special role. If your croton already “lives” in a flowerpot with a diameter of 25 cm, then do not replant it anymore, but annually change the top layer of soil to a depth of 3-4 cm.

As for the soil, croton takes root well in a universal store-bought mixture for decorative foliage crops. If you want to make the substrate yourself, then mix peat with humus, sand and turf soil in equal proportions. Be sure to disinfect the mixture before planting, otherwise the flower may die from pests and bacteria living in the soil. To disinfect, keep the mixture in a steam bath or bake in the oven.

Carry out the transplant itself using the transshipment method, that is, carefully remove the plant from the old flowerpot and, trying not to disturb the earthen lump, place it in a new pot. Then fill the voids with substrate, compact it slightly and water. Be sure to add a drainage layer of pebbles, broken bricks or expanded clay to the bottom of the new pot. Please note that these materials should occupy ¼ of the volume of the flowerpot.

Transfer

Another important point in caring for codiaum is replanting. For young plants it is carried out annually, but adult flowers should be replanted every three years. Transplantation is carried out into a larger pot. Please note that if the flower does not experience discomfort, then replanting, even if the due date has arrived, is not carried out.

Transplantation is carried out by transferring an earthen clod. It does not need to be broken too much, as the sensitive roots of the flower can be damaged.

For planting croton, you can use clay, ceramic and plastic containers.

By organizing proper care for your croton, as well as replanting and propagation, you will receive a decorative flower in your home that will delight you with its beautiful leaves.

Forming the crown

The croton plant, photos of which are given in the material, develops unevenly. And its side shoots grow more slowly than the main stem. Therefore, prune to form a lush bush. To do this, remove branches that are too elongated, weak or damaged. It is also helpful to pinch the top of the central stem. Carry out this activity for the first time when the height of the flower reaches 15 cm. Pinch the top again when the shoots extend by 20 cm.

Common diseases

Croton rarely gets sick. Most diseases of indoor plants avoid it. Diseases that flower growers have to deal with and their treatment are given in the table.

Table - Croton diseases

Growing from seeds

If you happen to see a croton bloom, then you can use this phenomenon to grow new specimens. Just collect the seeds and sow them in suitable soil. But keep in mind that this method of reproduction takes a lot of time. In addition, plants grown from seeds do not retain maternal characteristics. But in any case, it's up to you to decide.

Start sowing in mid-winter and first prepare the seed. To do this, dip the grains in water at a temperature of 60 degrees for half an hour, and then soak them for a day in a solution of a growth stimulator, for example, Epin or Zircon.

Heat the universal mixture for seedlings to +22 °C, fill containers or pots with it and bury the seeds 0.5-1 cm into the soil. In order for the grains to germinate, keep the substrate warm. To do this, place the seedlings on the battery.

Be sure to stretch polyethylene on top or put glass. Regularly ventilate the greenhouse and wipe off condensation, and do not forget to moisten the soil. But use the bottom watering method for this, that is, place the container in a basin with warm water until the ground absorbs moisture through the drainage holes.

About a month after sowing, the first shoots of the indoor croton plant will appear. How to care for seedlings? Move the planting to a brighter place and begin to acclimate the seedlings to normal conditions. To do this, gradually remove the cover for an hour, then two, and so on. Regularly spray the soil with warm water from a spray bottle; when the seedlings become stronger and a pair of true leaves appear on them, drop them into individual containers.

Plant propagation by cuttings

Such an event can be held at any time of the year, with the exception of winter, when the plant rests. To propagate a croton plant, select the apical woody branches and cut them off with sharp scissors. Please note that each cutting must have a pair of leaves and at least one strong growth bud. Ideally, the length of the workpieces reaches 10–15 cm.

After cutting, place the cuttings for 2 hours in a bright, warm place so that the milky juice dries slightly. In the future, such preparation will prevent the evaporation of moisture from the leaves. Then heat the water to 25–30 degrees, add a few drops of a growth stimulator to it and place the cuttings of the homemade croton plant there.

How to care for plants? Try to keep the water warm and keep the container in a bright place out of direct sunlight. Add new water as needed, while diluting the growth stimulator in it.

The cuttings will take root in 1–2 months. When the roots reach 2-3 cm in length, transplant the young flowers into individual pots, and then provide them with normal care.

Growing problems

The flower is quite unpretentious, but if there are mistakes in care, the croton indoor plant begins to act up. And when growing crops, flower growers may encounter the following problems:

• The leaves are falling. The lower leaves die off due to natural processes, but the top of the flower becomes bare if you keep the tropical beauty in a cool room, or it suffers from drafts.
• The pattern fades. Lack of light leads to this. Move the pot closer to the window or light it with a phytolamp, and the croton will quickly restore its bright color.
• Brown spots on leaves. Such damage is the most common sunburn. To avoid such troubles, do not forget to cover the plant from midday rays or move the pot deeper into the room.
• The leaves are drying. This is how the plant reacts to low indoor humidity. To restore the decorative appearance of the croton, spray the foliage more often and place containers filled with water next to the pot.
• The leaves dry out and brown spots appear on them. A similar phenomenon indicates that the plant is freezing on a cold windowsill, or you are watering it with cool water.
• Croton grows poorly. Most likely, the plant suffers from a lack of nutrients in the soil. Don’t forget to feed the flower, and it will quickly grow green mass.

As you can see, growing attractive croton at home is not that difficult. It is enough to provide the tropical beauty with minimal care, and he will definitely reward you with rapid growth and an attractive appearance.

Typical pests

Pests cause more problems. Their appearance is promoted by dry air, high soil moisture, and proximity to infected plants. The pests that you have to deal with and the methods of dealing with them are indicated in the table.

Table - Croton pests