Thursday, April 9, 2009

Codiaeum variegatum, Croton
















Codiaeum variegatum Croton
Before plant breeders got to work on developing the multi coloured foliage of the tropical Croton ,it was a fairly inconspicuous green plant native to Fiji and other Pacific Islands. It is also found in Malaysia. Here it can be grown as a gaudy garden shrub anywhere from about the mid north coast of New South Wales right through the tropics and it does particularly well in sandy coastal gardens tolerating dry and sea winds as well. It makes a good container plant in warm temperate climates and can be grown as an indoor plant in even cooler climates. The only problems I have encountered in growing it is from spider mite which causes the underside of leaves to go silvery .Mealy bug and scale insects can also cause a few problems if you grow it in a sheltered spot over winter when temperatures drop. It would make a great pot plant in a hot sunny courtyard garden which gets sun all year round.
2017 update: I don't stock them but can order on request.









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