Known as croton or Joseph’s coat, this tropical shrub from the Pacific islands has upward-pointing leaves which are always glossy, leathery, and heavily patterned, but vary widely in their size, shape, and color.
They can be long and thin, or broad and rounded, straight or twisted, entire or lobed. The color is in combinations of yellow, orange, pink, and red with dark green, becoming more pronounced with age, when small, inconspicuous cream flowers are also produced.
Size: Height to 3 ft. (90 cm).
Light: Indirect sunlight, some direct sunlight (not noon in summer).
Temperature: Normal room.
Moisture: Keep thoroughly moist from spring to fall. In winter, apply just enough water to prevent the soil drying out.
Feeding: Feed standard liquid fertilizer every two weeks from spring through to fall.
Propagation: Take tip cuttings in spring or summer; use rooting hormone.
Special needs: Increase humidity by placing the pot on a tray of moist pebbles. The stems exude milky sap when cut, so if a large plant needs trimming back, do it in early spring arid put a small piece of paper towel over the cut to absorb the latex.