Are Iceton Croton plants hard to care for?
Iceton Croton plants are a colorful, easy-to-grow variety that is indoor hardy and require very little attention. Croton are excellent houseplants that withstand more neglect than almost any other plant.
As for location, Croton grows happily in a pot or when planted directly in the ground. They add a colorful accent to any outdoor space, garden or patio. In cooler zones, a containerized Croton can be relocated indoors for the winter months.
When you receive your new Croton, there is no need to worry about planting right away. Your new plant can be stored for a while by simply placing it in a bucket with about a half inch of water and moving it to a shady location; simply water when dry. This will give you plenty of time to select the ideal location for your new Croton.
Are there any common problems with Croton plants?
There are two infections to keep an eye out for:
– Crown gall
This is a bacterial infection that is common to Croton. It appears as a thick, swollen growth on the plant’s stem. If you see this change in your plant, I’m sorry, but the plant should be discarded. This disease can transfer from one plant to another, so trying to cure it can cost you more plants.
– Anthracnose
AKA leaf spot, this is an all-too-common fungal infection. Anthracnose shows on the leaves as brown-colored dots. If this happens to your Croton, clip off the affected leaves and keep it from spreading to other plants.
How do you care for indoor Iceton Croton?
The process for caring for one of these plants indoors will be just like its outdoor care… just scaled back.
As we cover Iceton Croton plant care, you’ll notice that the advice can be applied no matter where you’re growing this plant.
Does Iceton Croton need direct sunlight?
You should be careful when trying to find out if this variety of Croton needs direct sunlight because it’s different than the red variety.
The variety known as Fire Croton, or Codiaeum variegatum, produces green/yellow/red leaves that LOVE the direct sun.
But Iceton Croton produces light yellow, light green, and purple leaves.
If you let this plant sit in direct sunlight for too long, all the color with fade away and the leaves will shrink.
The bottom line is: Unlike Fire Croton, Ice Croton should not be put in direct sunlight and prefers morning or early afternoon sun.
How do you water an Iceton Croton ?
Unlike sunlight, the water requirements for our Iceton variety will be the same as other Croton plants.
You will need to water this plant pretty frequently during the growing season. This is especially the case to our locals in Florida where the summer heat can dry out the soil fast.
Crotons require the soil to be constantly moist, so when the top begins to feel dry, the plant needs to be watered again.
Inside, you might be looking at once a week.
Outside, you’re looking at every other day.
In general, these plants like humid places. If you can’t find a location that provides this type of atmosphere, then you’ll need to mist the leaves in between watering as a substitute.
During the winter months, Crotons won’t be as thirsty, so be careful not to overwater your plants.
Iceton Croton plants are poisonous to animals
While this isn’t about plant care per se, we want to mention it because we don’t want any pets getting sick.
All types of Crotons can be dangerous plants to have around your home if you have children or pets living with you.
There is a milky sap inside the stem of the plant that is toxic when ingested.
While the sap is not typically not fatal for dogs, cats, or small children… the seed pod can be.
Iceton Croton plants have really pretty foliage, but looks can be deceiving. If you have a Croton in your home, make sure that it is placed in a location where its beauty can be appreciated but not tasted.
How to propagate a Iceton Croton
Some plants can be pretty tough to propagate. Luckily that’s not the case for this plant – it’s easy!
Just follow these steps to propagate your Iceton Croton:
- Find a healthy Iceton Croton mother plant and use a pair of sharp scissors to cut just below a node module. You’ll want the branch/stem to be more than 4 inches long. Remove any leaves at the bottom of the cutting, but keep the ones on top.
- Dip your branch into some rooting hormone to ensure that your plant roots quickly and properly. Then put the cutting on some paper towels and allow it to dry.
- Once dried, place the cutting in mix of perlite and peat moss. Water it. Cover the plant with a plastic bag (creating a tiny greenhouse).
- Keep the plant moist by watering it often; keep it at a temperature of 70 degrees F.
- Celebrate after four weeks when your plant’s roots start showing!
From here, you can place it in some water to allow the roots to keep growing and transport it directly to the soil and let it grow that way.
What if I don’t want to wait?
Unfortunately there is no way to speed up the propagation process. No matter how much light, water, and fertilizer you give a cutting, you’ll still need to wait four weeks.
It’s like that old saying, “The best time to plant Iceton Croton was four weeks ago; the second best time is now.”
Okay… that’s not the saying.
And you don’t actually have to wait four weeks to start growing a Croton plant of your own.
All you have to do is come by our nursery in Sarasota and pick up a plant in person!
You can start growing your own “Mrs.Iceton” today. Plus, you’ll get to see a bunch of other really cool plants to add to your collection!
Come by or give us a call at 941.212.1822 if you have any questions!
