Garden Croton
Codiaeum variegatum
- Native to:
- Australia, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Fiji, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Maluku, New Guinea, Philippines, Santa Cruz Is., Solomon Is., Sulawesi, Vanuatu
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus:
- Codiaeum
- Species:
- Codiaeum variegatum
- USDA Symbol:
- COVA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Native to tropical forests with high organic content
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 21–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require warmth (75-80°F) and high humidity for germination. Fresh seeds have higher viability.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI