The beautiful and vibrant banana croton plant is a popular choice for indoor and outdoor gardens With its large, colorful leaves that come in shades of yellow, orange, red and green, it’s easy to see why gardeners love this tropical plant However, finding a healthy banana croton plant from a reputable source is key to getting your new plant off to a good start. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best places to buy a banana croton plant for your home or garden.
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Visiting local nurseries and garden centers is a great way to select plants in person Look for nurseries that specialize in indoor and tropical plants Here are some things to look for when buying a banana croton plant locally
-
Healthy foliage – Choose plants with full, vibrant leaves without brown spots or damage. Avoid plants with yellowing, wilting leaves.
-
Good root system – Check that the root ball is well developed but not root bound. Damaged roots can cause transplant shock.
-
Established plants – More mature plants with woody stems are ideal as they withstand transplanting well. Avoid seedlings.
-
Knowledgeable staff – Reputable nurseries will have staff to answer questions and provide expert care tips.
-
Quarantined section – Many nurseries keep new shipments separate to prevent disease spread. Inspect these plants closely.
Buying locally allows you to pick out disease-free plants and get advice to ensure success.
Online Plant Nurseries
Online plant stores offer convenience and a wide selection. Order from reputable sites known for healthy, vigorous plants like:
-
Logee’s – Specializes in rare and exotic tropical plants like banana croton. All plants shipped directly from their greenhouses.
-
Gabriella Plants – Offers a diverse selection of tropical plants. Provides detailed plant care instructions.
-
Glasshouse Works – A family-owned nursery with 40+ years experience shipping tropical and hardy plants.
-
Bloomscape – Sources vibrant young plants from expert growers and delivers quickly. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
When ordering plants online:
-
Check reviews to ensure a reputation for healthy plants and good customer service.
-
Look for fast shipping times and methods that minimize plant stress.
-
Inspect plants immediately and return damaged specimens for refund/replacement.
Big Box Stores
Large home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s sell a variety of common houseplants, including banana croton. While affordable, there are some downsides to purchasing plants at these retailers:
-
Limited selection – Usually only basic varieties available.
-
Variable plant health – Plants can suffer from improper watering/care. Inspect carefully.
-
Lack of knowledgeable staff – Employees may have minimal plant expertise.
-
Potential pests – Close proximity of plants can spread problems like mealybugs.
With extra diligence inspecting plants and preventative care after purchase, big box stores can be an option for banana croton plants on a budget. Provide good growing conditions at home to overcome any prior neglect.
Independent Garden Centers
For rare and unique varieties, visit independent garden centers and nurseries that specialize in exotic tropical plants. These specialty nurseries are the best option for finding less common banana croton varieties like:
-
Pinwheel croton – Leaves have a pinwheel pattern in green, yellow, orange, red.
-
Spiral croton – Twisting, curled leaves in multiple colors.
-
Oakleaf croton – Shaped like oak leaves with striking venation.
The depth of selection at specialty nurseries is unmatched. You’re sure to find a beautiful, healthy and vibrant banana croton to add to your plant collection.
Regional Tropical Plant Shows
Attending regional tropical plant shows and sales events hosted by plant societies is another great way to find rare banana croton varieties. These events bring together vendors and collectors to buy, sell and trade unusual tropical plants.
Shows often have educational seminars from experts too. Look for local events hosted by groups like:
-
International Aroid Society
-
Bromeliad Society International
-
Gesneriad Society
-
American Begonia Society
Check calendars for upcoming shows in your area to get first pick of incredible banana crotons you won’t find anywhere else!
Start from Cuttings of Established Plants
Getting plant cuttings from gardening friends and family is a simple way to get new banana croton plants for free. Take 4-6 inch stem tip cuttings and root them in water or moist potting soil.
With this propagation method, you know you’re getting plants identical to the healthy parent. Share your own plant bounty!
Online Marketplaces
Sites like Etsy and Facebook Marketplace are filled with plant enthusiasts selling cuttings and starters. Purchasing from independent growers is an affordable option.
However, since these are not professional nurseries, plant health and shipping methods can be inconsistent. Be selective and read reviews to identify the best plant providers.
Takeaways
Finding a vigorously growing banana croton from a reputable source gives your new plant the healthiest start possible. Local nurseries, online specialty plant stores, independent garden centers, plant shows and swaps offer the widest selection of varieties. Follow plant care best practices and your new banana croton will thrive for years to come!
Croton Banana – Medio
[ Pot Size: 6 | Height: 14″ – 18″ ] The Croton Banana has long, narrow leaves with heavy gold-yellow coloring throughout. As a member of the Euphorbia family, this plant loves bright sunlight and can grow over 6 feet tall in its natural habitat. Grown indoors, however, the Croton Banana will usually max out at 3 to 4 feet. Croton Banana is cheery, tropical, and will add some personality to any space. Plants make great gifts for any occasion. Send some green with PlantShed, hand-delivered to NYC + NJ, 7 days a week.
- Geographic Origin: Southeast Asia & the West Indies
- Features: Colorful foliage
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Great For: Bright light; Tight spaces
Requires bright, indirect sunlight to maintain bright colors. A few hours of direct light is okay—but too much will sunburn the leaves.
About once a week. Allow soil to mostly dry out. Water less often in winter.
Easy! Just make sure it has enough sunlight and warm temperatures. air-purifying-1
Crotons remove toxins that can build up in indoor spaces. A general rule of thumb is 1 medium houseplant per 100 square feet of space effectively cleans the air we breathe. fertilizer-plant-guide-icon
Feed with slow-release pellets or a liquid, indoor plant fertilizer about 1-2 times a month during the growing season. Do not fertilize in winter. high-temp-plant-guide-icon
Requires warm conditions above 60°F. Keep away from drafty windows and air conditioners. soil-plant-guide-icon
Use a well-draining, All-Purpose potting soil. pruning-plant-guide-icon
Prune branches and leaves just above a node or leaf set, but do not remove more than a third of the stem at a time. To propagate, take a 4-inch stem cutting with at least 3 leaves, and dip stem in rooting hormone before planting in soil. pets-no-plant-guide-icon
Sorry! Will cause indigestion if any part of the plant is consumed and the sap can cause skin irritation.
Croton Yellow Banana | Live from the Nursery Series
FAQ
Where are Croton plants found?
What is the Croton plant good for?
How often do you water banana Crotons?
Where does banana Croton come from?
Banana Croton comes from Malaysia. This tropical plant is a beautiful and unusual houseplant with erect and narrow green-yellow leaves. The primary care for Banana Croton isn’t different from the preferred care for all other Croton types. The soil needs to be well-draining, and the plant only needs water when the top level of the soil is dry.
How big do banana crotons grow?
It is also likely to burn the plant’s roots underneath the soil. Banana Crotons can vary quite drastically in size. They are capable of growing anywhere from 11.8 inches to 8 feet tall (30 centimeters to 2.4 meters). This plant grows best in zones 9 to 11 but you can grow them anywhere.
What does a banana Croton look like?
Native to parts of Northern Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Malaysia, the Banana Croton is classified as a tropical shrub. This plant features green leaves with veins colored yellow. Unlike other Croton varieties, the Banana Croton foliage is oddly shaped. Leaves at the plant’s base are generally varied in shape and size.
Can banana crotons grow in extreme heat?
Although Banana Crotons enjoy higher temperatures, they do not do well in extreme heat. Anything much higher than 80℉ (26.7℃) is undesirable and the shrub will not thrive. Very cold temperatures will result in your plant losing leaves and in severe cases, dying. This shrub desires high humidity levels.