The scientific name of the plant is codiaum. Also known as the “cloak of Joseph” - because of the brightly colored leaves, similar to the multicolored cloak of the biblical hero Joseph the Beautiful. The British call Croton an ornamental reed.
Croton belongs to the Euphorbia family. Under natural conditions, the plant grows in Australia, on the islands of the Malay Archipelago and the Pacific Ocean. Croton is an evergreen shrub. A special charm to the plant is given by the color scale of the color of the leaves - from green to the smallest shades of crimson.
What temperature and lighting does Croton prefer?
In the summer, the best temperature for keeping croton at home is 25-30 ° C. The plant is not afraid of heat, but sudden changes in temperature or drafts are destructive for it. In winter, the ambient temperature is at least 18 ° C.
Croton needs bright diffused light. It is preferable for a plant to have a south-east or south-west orientation. But it is better to shade croton from direct sunlight. Yellowing and dropping of leaves is one of the signs of insufficient lighting.
How to water and feed
Croton at home is a rather moisture-loving plant. He needs regular watering with settled water at room temperature. Once a week, Croton needs to have a warm shower.
During active growth - in summer and spring - the plant is fed with a complex fertilizer for decorative foliage plants, about once every 10 days. In autumn and winter, the amount of dressings is reduced to 1 time per month.
How to properly transplant Croton
Croton needs fertile soil with a slightly acidic reaction. The substrate for planting can be made up independently, from equal parts of humus, peat, turf and coarse sand. Drainage at the bottom of the pot is required.
Young croton specimens are transplanted annually, in the spring. Older crotons are transferred into a large container after filling the pot with roots. New dishes for planting should be about 3-4 cm wider than the previous one.
Formation of a beautiful bush
Under natural conditions, croton resembles a small tree, but by pinching the shoots, you can form a lush plant.
The first pinching of the shoots is carried out at a height of 10 cm. As they grow, the stems are pinched every 20 cm at the outer bud.
