How to Propagate and Care for Garden Croton Plants

Codiaeum variegatum, whose common names include the garden croton or variegated laurel, are tropical plants known for their large, patterned, colorful leaves. Garden croton is a shrub native to high humidity areas of Southeast Asia like Indonesia, Malaysia, along with parts of Australia, and some western Pacific Islands. Outside of those regions, garden croton plants are commonly grown as houseplants.

Note that there is a different genus of plants also called Croton which has hundreds of different species of shrubs and trees.

There are hundreds of different cultivars, or types, of crotons each with its own growing specifications. Some common croton varieties include:

1. 1. Petra croton: Croton petra has pointed, oblong leaves that come in colors of yellow, bronze, red, and green. This particular cultivar can grow up to five feet tall.
2. 2. Zanzibar croton: Zanzibar crotons have thin, narrow leaf shapes in comparison to many of the other croton varieties. Its foliage comes in purple, yellow, green, and red, and can grow anywhere from three to four feet tall.
3. 3. Oakleaf croton: Known for its oak-shaped red, yellow, and green leaves, the oakleaf croton is an evergreen shrub that contains both male and female flowers.
4. 4. Gold dust croton: Sometimes referred to as the sun-spot croton, this type of plant has dark green foliage speckled with bright golden yellow markings (resembling gold dust).
5. 5. Mammy croton: Growing up to six feet tall, the mammy croton has a variety of leaf colors, bringing hues of purple, green, red, and orange to each of its long, thin leaves.

Croton plants are best grown through propagation rather than seed. Crotons are frost tender and can only grow as outdoor plants in USDA hardiness zones 9 and above, which means if your temperatures drop below 40–50 degrees Fahrenheit, your crotons will likely not thrive (however, you can start your crotons as indoor plants and eventually move them outside when the temperatures are ideal). To propagate your crotons:

1. 1. Wear protective gloves. Croton stems emit a milky sap when broken or cut, so always wear protective gloves when handling these plants.
2. 2. Obtain your stem cutting. To propagate your croton, you’ll need a three- to four-inch cutting from a healthy plant with at least three to five leaves.
3. 3. Use a rooting hormone. Dip the cut end of your stem into a rooting hormone, then place it upright in a container with drainage holes.
4. 4. Water and wait. Water the soil until evenly moist, and place in a bright, sunny window. You can help encourage rooting by placing a plastic bag over the cutting to mimic the croton’s natural, humid environment. Depending on the size of your plant container (and the species you’re planting), you can either leave the plant to grow or transplant it into a larger container.

As long as croton plants are in an ideal environment, they can grow and flourish. Below are a few care tips to help keep your crotons in top shape:

1. 1. Check them for pests and diseases. Though generally resistant to most pests and diseases, crotons can be susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and certain types of fungus. Use an insecticidal soap or a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol to remove any infestation sites.
2. 2. Mulch or cover the plant. Lay organic matter about two inches from the stem of the croton to help the soil retain moisture and smother weeds. You can also cover your plants with a burlap sack to help keep them warm during cold drafts.
3. 3. Give them indirect sunlight. Keep your crotons in at least four to six hours of indirect sunlight per day. However, this can also depend on the cultivar, and some may require partial shade throughout their growth.
4. 4. Water them properly. When the top half-inch of soil is dry, water your crotons thoroughly. You may notice some leaf drop when the plants aren’t properly hydrated, so try misting the leaves with room temperature water about twice a week. You can also use a humidifier to keep the room in the right moisture conditions.
5. 5. Wipe down your leaves. Croton leaves have a habit of collecting dust, so wipe them down with a damp cloth every so often.
6. 6. Fertilize. Fertilize your crotons with a low nitrogen fertilizer once during both the spring and summer (too much nitrogen will promote green growth but inhibit their vibrant colors).

Every part of the croton plant is highly toxic and should not be ingested or directly handled. The stems contain a milky, latex sap that can cause skin irritation, and when consumed in large quantities can be poisonous to both humans and animals.

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