When grown in full sun most crotons show their brightest colors. Careful placement in the landscape ensures that these plants compliment the design, not distract from it.
There are many variations of this plant, with foliage colors that range from green to red, yellow, and pink. Besides their different leaf colors, varieties also offer differing leaf forms and shapes, as well as a range of plant sizes and shapes. The color patterns are quite diverse among the varieties also.
Considered slow growers, crotons tolerate the sandy Florida soils well, especially if the bed they are being planted in has a good organic soil amendment added to it. They will tolerate a little salt, but probably not a coastal or dune planting.
They originated in Malaysia, and their flowers are small, white and not very showy. And like most plants in the euphorbiaceae family, they have a sap that could be an irritant.
Crotons are drought-tolerant, and their fertilizer needs are low.
Plants with colorful leaves like the crotons require special treatment in the landscape. Their wide range of colors, and the intensity of those colors can cause visual conflict if they are not located properly. These colors and their intensity are also modified by the amount of sunlight, generally the brighter the sunlight, the brighter the colors. In fact, if the light level is low enough, the leaves may revert to just a green color. However, if the plant is not getting enough fertilizer and/or moisture in full sun, these factors will also make colors appear washed out or faded and dull.
Some crotons have unusual, even bizarre leaf forms. This variety has an additional small part of the leaf that extends out from the main leaf on small section of the leaf's main vein.
Insects can also cause this dull look. It is best to place these plants in the landscape where the colors will compliment the surrounding landscape. When planted against a darker green background, the colors will be more visible and appealing to the viewer. These plants also make good specimen plants, especially when they are one of the larger, more robust-growing varieties.
Some crotons also make good container plants, and a few may tolerate the harsher interior environment.
For outdoor containers, choose varieties that seem to stay smaller, or regular shaping and pruning will be required to keep the plant in its space.
For interior use, these plants will still need considerable light to maintain color in their leaves. Try to find plants that have been acclimated to the lower light levels of an interior. If it has been grown by a foliage grower, the variety is one that probably will maintain some color in the lower light levels found on the inside of a home.
Propagating crotons is usually quite easy. They will root quickly and easily from stem cuttings. Small tip cuttings, four to six inches long, can be cut and placed into a rooting medium — perlite, vermiculite, sand, peat moss, or any combination of these will work.
Some varieties offer more subtle areas of color. This variety has small patches of yellow to red on a basic green background, and like most crotons, these color will intensify and grow larger if grown in more direct sunlight.
A rooting hormone can also be used to help initiate new roots more quickly. These cuttings should be placed into an environment where the humidity is kept close to 100 percent to minimize transpiration of moisture out of the plant. In a few short weeks, probably from three to six, new roots will begin to grow, and the cuttings can be planted into containers. These should be given protection from dry conditions and winds etc. until the plants have acclimated to the regular humidity levels.
When grown well, crotons rarely have insect problems. However, when they become stressed, they can have problems with mites, scales, and mealybugs. These pests can be controlled by closely monitoring the plant and removing the insects with a soapy water or if sprays are needed, with a horticultural oil spray.
Crotons can also become susceptible to root rots if the soils they are planted in do not drain well. If this is a problem, it is best to fix the drainage problem or relocate the plant if it survives to an area where the soil is airy and drains well.
Crotons are wonderful landscape plants that can add lots of color and interest to a landscape, but there placement and use is important to a successful design.