Free Codiaeum Variegatum Pictum Plants

An unusual plant with brightly coloured pigments that intensify during the summer, when the leaves take on a greater proportion of yellow, orange, pink and red. However, as the light decreases in the autumn and winter, the bright colours tend to fade and the plant becomes rather more green. The Codiaeum is very susceptible to changes in temperature, which can cause rapid leaf drop. The problem is especially acute during the autumn, winter and early spring. For this reason it is essential to provide the plant with as near a constant temperature as possible. Although itlikes bright light, it should be moved away from the window in the winter months to avoid exposure to cold.

Plant type : Foliage plant with bushy habit
Season of interest : All year round
Size : 30-90cm (12—36in)
Flower : Unusual, insignificant, white, produced on spike in late spring/summer
Leaf : Broadly serrated oval, 10-15cm (4-6in) long, 2,5-7.5cm (1 —3in) wide, with variable shape and pattern of bold colours ranging from green to yellow, orange and crimson
Temperature : 18-21°C (65—70°F)
Aspect/Light : Full light with exposure to direct sun
Humidity : Moderate
Watering : Evenly moisten compost in spring and summer, allowing to dry a little before re-watering; keep on drier side in autumn and winter
Feeding : Once every two to four weeks in spring and summer with houseplant fertilizer
Propagation : Plant tip cuttings, 10-15cm (4—6in), from late spring to summer in seed and cutting compost at 21 -24°C (70—75°F)
Potting : Houseplant potting compost
Problems : Red spider mite, mealy bug, root mealy bug, leaf loss with low temperatures
Availability : Available through the year, but more common in spring and summer
Uses indoors : Specimen feature plant for brightly lit position in lounge or dining room; useful office plant