What is a Croton Petra?
The croton ‘Petra’ (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’) is an evergreen shrub native to southern Asia and the western Pacific islands. It prefers hot, humid weather and grows only in U. S. Department of Agriculture zones 9b through 11. In other climates, croton can be grown in containers and kept indoors during cold weather. This distinctive, variegated plant needs special care to stay healthy in all climate zones.
– G.D. Palmer at SF Gate
What do Croton Petra’s look like?
The vibrant-colored plant comes in a variety of leaf shapes and colors. The leaves on the croton petra can be short, long, twisted, thin, thick, and several of these combined. This is a diverse plant!!! Even the colors can go from greens, yellows, reds, oranges, creams, pinks, and blacks or it can even be a combination of all these. There is a croton for everybody!!!
How to Care for the Croton Petra?
- Cool temperature between 60-85 degrees
- Needs six to eight hours of bright unfiltered sunlight each day
- Allow the soil to dry out between waterings
- Fertilize once per week with a 3-1-2 liquid fertilizer
- Re-pot indoors every two years to encourage healthy growth
- If humidity is low in your home, mist around the leaves with water once a week or keep a tray of wet gravel near the plant.
- Croton leaves are dust magnets.
- Repot the plant in the spring if it has grown too large for its current pot.
