Advanced Search Filters

Plant Type
Hardiness Zone
Heat Zone
Sunset Zone
Function
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Water Requirement

CODIAEUM variegatum 'Franklin Roosevelt'

Image of Codiaeum variegatum 'Franklin Roosevelt'

Carol Cloud Bailey

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Botanical Name

CODIAEUM variegatum 'Franklin Roosevelt'

Plant Common Name

Croton, Franklin Roosevelt Croton

General Description

Codiaeum variegatum, more commonly known as croton, is an evergreen native to Malaysia and islands in the western Pacific. The flowers are insignificant but the foliage comes in a wide variety of brightly splashed or spotted, smooth, ruffled or twisted shapes. Croton ‘Franklin Roosevelt’ has linear, arching leaves with pointed tips. The color is “paint splashed’ yellow, orange and pink over medium green leaves with red backs. The oldest leaves are heavily overlaid with burgundy. Mature crotons are "V" shaped.

Crotons grow best in well-drained soil and in full sun to partial shade; in hot sunny climates they look best if shaded from the hottest sun of the day. Too much sun will bleach the color out of the leaves and too little will cause the leaves to be more green. Provide plenty of room for growth, crotons can be pruned by hand but are ugly sheared. Crotons are frequently grown as houseplants in colder climates and in the landscape in frost-free regions. Crotons make excellent accent plants, hedges and tub specimens.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    3'-10' / 0.9m - 3.0m

  • Width

    1'-5' / 0.3m - 1.5m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer

  • Native To

    Southeastern Asia, Polynesia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    White, Yellow

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Yellow, Red, Orange, Light Green, Dark Green, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Variegated, Striped/Striated, Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Yellow, Red, Orange, Light Green, Dark Green, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Variegated, Striped/Striated, Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Yellow, Red, Orange, Light Green, Chartreuse, Dark Green, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Variegated, Striped/Striated, Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Yellow, Red, Orange, Light Green, Dark Green, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    Variegated, Striped/Striated, SpottedMottled

  • Bark Color

    Brown, Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No