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An unforgettable sight when exiting the airplane terminal at Cabo San Lucas are the huge brightly colored croton plants that line the edges of the buildings. These popular tropical plants are hardy to USDA zones 9 to 11. For many of us, that leaves our experience with the plant simply as a houseplant. However, croton in the garden can be enjoyed during the summer and sometimes into the early fall. You just need to learn some rules about how to grow a croton outdoors.
The banana croton, also known by its botanical name Codiaeum variegatum ‘Banana’, is a stunning tropical shrub valued for its uniquely shaped and vibrantly colored foliage. With long, narrow leaves splashed with yellow, orange, pink and red, the banana croton makes a dramatic statement when grown outdoors.
Though not the easiest plant to cultivate, with proper care and conditions the banana croton can thrive outdoors and become the focal point of your garden. Follow these tips to successfully grow this exotic beauty and achieve a jaw-dropping garden display.
Choosing the Right Location
Banana crotons need abundant light to maintain their brilliant leaf colors. Select a location that receives 6-8 hours of direct sun such as a sunny border or island bed. Banana crotons also require tropical temperatures so make sure your site does not get colder than 60°F. Shelter your plant from harsh winds, which can damage the foliage.
Providing the Right Soil
Good drainage is essential for banana crotons. Amend your garden soil with compost and horticultural sand or perlite to create a loose, fertile mix. The ideal pH range is 5.6-7.5. Before planting, dig a hole and fill with the amended soil to give your croton a good start.
Watering wisely
Consistent moisture is key to keeping banana crotons happy. Water thoroughly whenever the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry. Avoid both under and overwatering, which can lead to leaf drop or rot. Add mulch around the plant to retain moisture. Drooping leaves often indicate a need for more water.
Feeding Regularly
Feed banana crotons every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Reduce feeding frequency in fall and winter. High-nitrogen formulas promote lush foliage growth Never over-fertilize, which can burn roots and leaves
Providing Proper Support
In windy sites, banana crotons benefit from staking to avoid broken branches. Use wooden or metal garden stakes and soft plant ties. Pinch or prune back leggy growth to encourage full, bushy plants. Remove any dead or damaged leaves and stems.
Controlling Pests
Check frequently for common pests like spider mites, mealybugs and scale. Treat infestations early with insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays. Maintaining vigor through proper care is the best defense against pests. Disinfect pruning tools between plants to limit disease spread.
Overwintering Care
In zones 9-11, banana crotons can remain in the garden year-round. Elsewhere, containerized crotons should be brought indoors before temperatures drop below 60°F. Place in a sunny window and reduce watering frequency. Stop fertilizing and limit pruning during winter rest.
Propagating Banana Crotons
Take 4-6 inch stem cuttings in spring or summer. Dip cut ends in rooting hormone and insert in moist potting soil. Enclose in a plastic bag or tent to retain humidity and place in bright, indirect light. Cuttings should root in 3-6 weeks. Gradually acclimate young plants before transplanting outdoors.
With their electrifying colors and distinctive foliage, banana crotons bring unmatched drama to gardens and landscape beds. By selecting an ideal site and providing attentive care, you can achieve spectacular results from this eye-catching tropical plant. Just be sure to give banana crotons the conditions they need, and your reward will be a beautiful, vibrant outdoor display.
Care of Outdoor Croton Plants
Plants grown outdoors in appropriate zones will need slightly more water than those inside. This is because sunlight evaporates moisture and wind has a tendency to dry out soil quickly. Watch for pests and disease and handle immediately. When larger plants in the ground are in danger of a cold snap, cover them with a burlap sack or old blanket. To prevent breaking limbs, push in some stakes around the plant to handle the weight of the covering. Mulch around plants with at least 2 inches (5 cm.) of organic material. This will help protect roots from cold, prevent competitive weeds, and slowly feed the plant as the material breaks down. Where freezes are early and severe, grow plants in containers and move them in as soon as fall starts to arrive. This should save the plant and you can care for it indoors until the first warm rays of spring when it can go back outside after all danger of frost has passed.
Croton in the Garden
Crotons are thought to be native to Malaysia, India, and some of the South Pacific Islands. There are many species and cultivars, but the plants are most known for their easy maintenance and colorful foliage, often with interesting variegation or speckling. Can you grow a croton outdoors? It depends where your zone is located and what your average low temperatures are per year. Croton is very frost tender and will not survive freezing temperatures. Southern gardeners in frost free zones should have no problem growing croton plants outside. Anyone who lives where there are temperatures that near freezing or 32 degrees F. (0 C.), even temperatures that hover in the 40s (4 C.) can be damaging. That is why some gardeners choose to grow croton in containers on casters. That way, even the slightest threat of cold temps and the plant can be moved to a sheltered location. Care of outdoor croton may also include covering the plant if it is in the ground. The thing to remember is that these are tropical plants and are not suited for freezing temperatures, which can kill the foliage and even the roots. Since croton hardiness is limited to freezing and even slightly above, northern gardeners should not attempt to grow the plant outdoors except in the warmest days of summer. Position the plant so it receives plenty of bright but indirect light to keep the foliage colors bright. Also, place the plant where it will not experience cold northern winds. Use well-draining potting soil and a container large enough to encompass the root ball with a little bit of growing room. Croton does not like to be transplanted, which should only be done every three to five years or as needed.
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FAQ
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