When choosing a houseplant, the main goal is usually to beautify and enhance every corner of the home. Its lushness and color give us positive energy. That is why, when looking for ornamental species, we usually choose preferably those that have flowers of spectacular shapes and intense colors that fill us with sensations. However, to achieve that same effect, flowers are not totally essential since the leaves of some plants are just as or even more spectacular than the most beautiful flower. And as an example, the Croton. Today we will talk about Croton care, so that you can include it in your list of favorite plants!
Croton: Description, cultivation and care
Of the genus Codiaeumand the family Euphorbias, it originated in the region of Malaysia. Its main feature is undoubtedly its fantastic leaves of different colors and its affordable maintenance.
From its strong stem emerge leaves of slightly irregular shapes and green color. A peculiar feature is that the "veins" of its leaves vary in color, sometimes covering the follicular surface almost completely. The range of shades ranges from red to yellow, including pinks, purples or browns.
There are not many species of this genus. Only about 14 varieties in its region of origin. The most commonly used as a domestic plant are the variegatum, in which the veins of its irregular, small and intense green leaves acquire a wide variety of shades, and the pictum, with larger, oval leaves, in which red and its shades take centre stage.
How to grow the croton
The croton is a plant that, although it is not usually very demanding, does need some care in terms of the amount of light, watering or humidity. To enjoy your Croton at its best all year round, all you have to do is follow these simple guidelines:
- Location
The place where the plant will be placed is one of the fundamental requirements for proper development. These types of plants do not resist abrupt changes in temperature. Therefore, you should look for a place away from radiators or air conditioners. And of course, draughts should be avoided. This rules out the placement at the entrances to the house, or in front of windows, doors, and in general, areas with a lot of traffic.
- Soil
The Croton's favourite substrate is rich in nutrients, slightly acidic in nature and allows good drainage. This can be achieved through a combination of leaf mulch, peat moss and river sand, all of which are eligible ingredients.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
- Light
The high luminosity is very necessary for the proper development of the Croton. Of course, you should avoid direct sun or place it near glass that creates a magnifying glass effect in order to avoid possible burns on the leaves. The brightness will intensify the coloring while direct sun will do nothing but burn the plant.
- Temperature
The Croton requires not only a warm climate, but also a constant temperature, with hardly any variations. This makes it an ideal species for indoor cultivation, and highly inadvisable for outdoor use. Between 20-25 degrees would be the appropriate temperature.
Taking
into account the tropical origin of the plant, it is obvious that, like the rest of its congeners, it needs good hydration and high humidity. What we have to ensure with irrigation is that the substrate is always kept moist, although never waterlogged. The roots are very shallow, and overwatering could have fatal effects.
Like other plants from tropical environments, it is highly recommended to sprinkle water on the leaves from time to time with a sprayer.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
- Fertilizers and fertilizers
This plant grows very quickly during the warmer seasons. Therefore, in spring and summer it is advisable to dissolve liquid fertilizer in the irrigation water every two weeks to provide it with the necessary nutrients. In winter and autumn, doing it once a month or even every two months will suffice. The ideal composition of fertilizer for Croton is 15 parts nitrogen, 9 parts phosphorus and 15 parts potassium.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
- When
pot is no longer able to contain the roots or the roots are too tight inside, it is time to transplant. The end of winter is the best time to carry out this operation.
- Pests
If small spots are seen on the underside of the leaves, it may be a brown or cottony mealybug infection. The first is characterized by being covered with a protective layer, which gives it an appearance similar to that of a limpet. The second also has a protective layer, but in this case, similar to cotton. Both are very common, unmistakable, and can cause serious damage to the plant. To remove them, it will be enough to pass a piece of tissue soaked in methyl alcohol over the leaves, or water and neutral soap if the parasites are larger. If this solution does not work, use a specific chemical.
Another phenomenon that is sometimes observed is yellowing of the surface of the leaves. This hue is usually caused by a spider mit attack, which can wipe out the plant's leaves. The spider mite appears due to dryness, so to combat it, the best thing to do is to increase the number of sprays to increase the humidity level. As in the previous case, if they cannot be eliminated with the method explained, apply a specific insecticide.
- Pruning
Removing small shoots is advisable to maintain a bushier plant. This stimulates the growth of lateral branches and counteracts the vertical growth characteristic of the Croton.
Proper pruning can be carried out in case the plant looks bad and loses leaves, by cutting the upper stem at a low height. This operation should be carried out in the spring and then apply good doses of heat and humidity.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
- Multiplication
The reproduction of the Croton is done by cuttings.
This operation is carried out during the spring months, as follows: with a sharp knife, a portion of branch, about 10 cm long, is cut, trying to leave some buds and several leaves. When cutting the cuttings, the stem releases latex, so the incision site must be plugged with powdered charcoal.
The cuttings are planted in a substrate made up of peat moss and coarse sand to promote rooting. The container with the planted cutting is covered with plastic and placed in a shady place, at a temperature of about 20º. Care should be taken to keep the soil moist and remove the plastic daily to avoid excessive condensation.
When the first buds appear, it's the sign that the croton has taken root. The plastic is removed, and the pot is moved to a sunnier place. From that moment on, the plant can be treated like any other adult unit.
If you like plants with large and original leaves more than flowering ones, the croton is undoubtedly your ideal plant.
Choose any of
their attractive strains to enhance any corner of your home!