Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Succulent
Origin
South-Eastern Asia, Southeastern Asia, Polynesia
Southern Africa
Types
Gold Dust Croton, Banana Croton
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
120030
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Along Railroads, Pastures, Roadsides, Sandy areas, Waste areas
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1510-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-1
10-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White, Yellow
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Red
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
White, Yellow, Purple, Orange, Light Green, Chartreuse, Lime Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow, Lemon yellow, Yellow green, Gold
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Chartreuse, Lime Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow, Lemon yellow, Yellow green, Gold, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Crimson, Dark Red, Copper, Bronze, Orange Red, Ivory
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
White, Yellow, Purple, Orange, Light Green, Chartreuse, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Crimson, Dark Red, Copper, Bronze, Orange Red, Ivory
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
White, Yellow, Purple, Orange, Light Green, Gold, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Crimson, Dark Red, Copper, Bronze, Orange Red, Ivory
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Long Elliptic
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Medium
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Cold climate
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Moderate
Less Watering
In Winter
Less Watering
Less Watering
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Prune in spring, Remove branches that rub together
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
Less fertilizing
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Insignificant
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies, Insects
Butterflies
Allergy
Dizziness, Eczema, Itchiness, Skin irritation, Skin rash, Vomiting
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Improve hair condition, Skin Problems
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Prevent Soil Erosion
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Bronchitis, Gallbladder Diseases, Gout, Joint pain, Malaria, Nerve pain, Upset stomach
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Seeds, Whole plant
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Decoration Purposes, Employed in herbal medicine, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Screening, Wind Break, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
CODIAEUM variegatum
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Rushfoil, Croton
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
क्रोटोन प्लांट
Elephant Bush
In German
Kroton
Elephant Bush
In French
Croton
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Croton Planta
elefante Bush
In Greek
Κρότωνα φυτών
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
cróton
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Kroto roślin
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Planta Croton
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
-
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Croton
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Crotoneae
-
Subfamily
Crotonoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
651
1
27800
👆🏻