Fire Croton Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum
Other Common Name(s):
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Fire croton is an erect, woody, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family. It is native to Malaysia and the southwestern Pacific area and can reach 8 feet in its natural habitat. It is commonly grown as a houseplant that reaches 3 feet tall.
Fire croton prefers full sun, dry soil, and low-to-medium relative humidity. Water it liberally from spring to autumn, sparingly in winter. Increasing light exposure will increase variegation. Leaf variegation of yellow, red, and green often also changes with age; leaf shape and size may also vary. Mist leaves regularly, daily if possible.
It is a popular houseplant grown for its variously colored foliage or used as an exterior foundation plant, hedge, or specimen plant where it is protected from frost, or planted as a tender annual.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are variegated red, yellow, and green
- Upright interior shrub with glossy, colorful leaves
- Milky sap exudes from broken leaves or stems
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Spider mite susceptibility sometimes limits interiorscape use to short-term. A milky white latex sap that excuses from damaged leaves or stems can be an irritant to soft tissue, causing itching and swelling. Wash your hands thoroughly when handling plants and keep hands away from the eyes.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Codiaeum
- Species:
- variegatum
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Malaysia to South Western Pacific
- Distribution:
- Cultivated worldwide
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Oval
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Insignificant
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Dark-colored fruit composed of three mericarps, one seed per each.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Insignificant
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- A slender axillary raceme, at branch tips. White, insignificant, sticky. Male and female flowers grow on separate inflorescences, the male flowers with five petals and the females with none.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple leaves, linear to ovate, acute, entire or lobed, coriaceous (leathery), rugose (crinkled), glossy, medium green variegated with white, yellow, red and/or red-purple darkened to nearly black; petiole & vein sap milky white. High levels of variation among cultivars.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- Woody old growth is vertically fissured.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- New growth green to tan, old growth brown and woody with vertical fissures and oval leaf scars giving the stem a pock-marked appearance.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Allergic dermatitis with skin rash developing after repeated contact. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea when ingested.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpene esters
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
