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Croton Information & tips - Plant Guide

Croton Information & tips - Plant Guide

The Croton is a striking houseplant and a real high-flyer in the plant world. The name Croton is the old Latin name for the plant and nowadays they are called Codiaeum.
Croton Information & tips - Plant Guide
  • Water regularly
  • Tolerates direct sunlight
  • Lightly air-purifying
  • Nutrition every month (summer)
  • Slightly toxic for animals
  • Repot every other year

Intro

The Croton is a striking houseplant and a real high-flyer in the plant world. The name Croton is the old Latin name for the plant and nowadays they are called Codiaeum. However, the name Croton is still the most commonly used. The Croton, with leaves in almost all colours of the rainbow, certainly needs some love and attention, but you get a fantastic houseplant in return!

Location

The Croton does well in lots of light. This beautiful colourful plant prefers to stand on a window on the north, east or west. The croton needs at least 5 hours of sunshine a day. If you place the plant near a south-facing window, place it +- 2 to 3 meters from the window, otherwise the plant will get too much direct sunlight. If this houseplant is lighter, the leaves will be more colorful. If the leaves are dark, give more light.

Temperature

The minimum temperature during the day will be 18°C and the minimum temperature during the night will be around 12°C.

Spraying

Spray the Croton regularly to remove dust from the leaves and prevent pests. Preferably once a week. If you heat the room, even 2 times is recommended. Spraying also promotes the quality and ornamental value of the houseplant.

Substrate

If the pot is provided (or you provide it yourself) with a substrate and a water meter, watering is easy. Upon arrival there is little water in it, fill the pot slowly with water (sometimes wait a while) and you will see that the meter will rise automatically. All you have to do is keep an eye on this meter. If you go on holiday you can fill the pot almost half full (you can see this on the meter which then rises a bit above its maximum) and you can safely leave for 3 weeks. It is also not bad if the plants do not get water too much and too fast. The substrate absorbs the water, so when the water meter is at the bottom, the substrate is still moist, but there is no water left at the bottom of the pot. The plant still has enough space for 4 summer days.

Leaf damage

If a Croton is at the ideal spot for light intensity, the leaves will be more colourful. If the leaves of the marvellous shrub become dark, it is better to place the croton near a window. If the codiaeum gets dark edges, the cause is often too much water. If the leaves fall constantly, the plant probably has too much water or too little light.

Watering

Because it is a tropical plant it is important to always keep the soil slightly moist. You can let the plant dry up a little before watering again, make sure that the roots do not remain in the water because of the root rot that then occurs. in the growth period that runs from March to August slightly more water than in winter.

Origin

The origin of the Croton comes from Asian countries such as India, Indonesia and Malaysia. The Croton still grows there in the wild. The croton comes from the Crotoneae family. In the Netherlands known as the Wolf Milk family. There are many species that are mainly distinguished by the different colors and shapes of the leaf.

Diseases

When the plants are thicker and full, check the leaves and stems from time to time to see if there are no pests there. Common diseases are Spider mites and mealy bugs. Wool lice can be caused by draughts on the plant. Spider mites through dry air (think of a convector pit. Use a biological "or if desired" a chemical pesticide to treat the plants.

Good to know

- A Croton is best potted once every two years in a larger pot. The best period for transplanting is spring or immediately after purchasing the plant. A larger pot will stimulate the growth and the advantage is a larger buffer of soil so that the water is spread more and there is less chance of root rot. Always take a pot that is 20 to 25% larger and do not use Hydro grains on the bottom of the pot. It is best to use a plastic insert sleeve for large pots.
- The Croton only in spring and summer feed, in winter is the rest period for most plants, then do not feed. Never give too much this can lead to burning of the roots. Look at the packaging for the correct dosage.
- The juice of the Croton that is released "after sawing" can irritate, also gives the juice stains if it comes into contact with clothing.