Croton Codiaeum variegatum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- koh-dee-EYE-um var-ee-eh-GAY-tum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Evergreen shrub with alternate, simple leaves mottled with white, yellow, or red; flowers white
Found in: Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape as tender annual planted outdoors in summer
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are variegated red, yellow and green
- Upright interior shrub with glossy, colorful leaves
Tropical evergreen shrub to 6', upright.
Popular house shrub plant grown for its variously colored foliage; exterior foundation plant, hedge, specimen plant below frost like; blooms are insignificant, not showy
Leaf variegation of yellow, red and green often changes with age; leaf shape variations often popular; spider mite susceptibility sometimes limits interiorscape use to short-term.
Milky latex sap is an irritant to soft tissue, causing itching, swelling, and uncomfortableness; wash hands thoroughly when handling plant & keep hands away from the eyes.
Cultivated material belongs to var. pictum.
Prefers high light, direct sunlight; prefers dry soil and low to medium relative humidity; water liberally spring to autumn, sparingly in winter; increasing light exposure will increase variegation; pest/disease problems. Mist leaves regularly, daily if possible.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Mammy'
- 'Petra'
- 'Mammy'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Mammy'
- 'Petra'
- 'Mammy'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Codiaeum
- Species:
- variegatum
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Insignificant
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Description:
- A slender axillary raceme, at branch tips. White, insignificant, sticky.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple leaves mottled with white, yellow, or red. Linear to ovate, acute, entire or lobed, coriaceous, rugose, glossy, medium green variegated with white, yellow, red and/or red-purple darkened to nearly black; petiole & vein sap milky white.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- New growth green, old growth brown and woody with vertical fissures.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
-
-
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
- Seeds
- Stems
- Codiaeum variegatum is often confused with:
- Aucuba japonica 'Picturata'
- Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
-
Buxus microphylla var. japonica
-
Aucuba japonica
-
Caryota mitis
