Did you know that Cristóbal Acosta had mentioned croton in 1578 for the first time as lignum pavanae and people used oil from the plant as herbal medicine after extracting from its seeds?
After collecting the seeds, you can also populate the croton plants and make a mini jungle out of them very soon.
Generally, crotonseeds take five months after the flowering to get developed. When the capsules or flowers of croton finish drying up, you can extract seeds. Also, you need to sow the croton seeds in the soil with a pH of 4.8- 7.2 with watering after 2 weeks.
The journey from seedlings to adult croton plants can take 3-5 years so you need to have patience if you are a fan of crotons.
Also, if you have planned to grow and leverage the croton seeds, you need to go through this article.
Table of Contents
- Overview of Croton Seeds
- How Do You Get Croton Seeds?
- Steps to Harvest Croton Seeds
- Where To Buy Croton Seeds?
- How to Grow Croton from Seeds?
- Germination Process of Croton
- Providing Care During Germination
- Providing Care After Germination
- Transplanting Seedlings of Croton
- Benefits and Side Effects of Croton Seeds
- Conclusion
Overview of Croton Seeds
Croton seeds originally come from the croton, a small tree-like shrub that is native to Asian countries including India and Malaysia.
After castor seeds, croton seeds are known as ghana seeds or miracle wonder seeds and are praised as a powerful laxative in the world.
To let you know more, here is a table to brief on the Croton seeds.
| Characteristics | Indicator Values |
|---|---|
| Size | 5X4.5 millimeters |
| Color | Usually Orange to Brown |
| Shape | Nearly Oval and Elongated |
| Weight | Approximately 0.021 grams |
| Cotyledon (s) | Two (Dicotyledon) |
| Toxicity | Highly Toxic |
| Medical Benefit | Purgative |
| Fruits | Capsule (Drupe or Berry Like After Maturity) |
| Flowering Season | Summer |
| Harvesting Time | Five Months After First Flowering |
| Germination Characteristics | Non-photoblastic (No Requirement of Light) |
| Germination Time | 10 to18 Days |
Croton plants may take two to four years to bloom and bear seeds.
When comparing croton seeds from other species, Croton pistillate seeds are in the diameter of 4–5.5 × 3.5–5.5 mm and Croton capitatus contains three seeds each per fruit.
You can keep croton seeds out of direct sunlight in a cool spot that possesses a fairly consistent temperature. Cold closet and basement can be the best place for this.
However, you should not leave the seeds for an extended period without sowing.
How Do You Get Croton Seeds?
Like other plants, crotons also proceed with pollination and bearing fruits, called capsules to end up with a group of productive seeds.
After drying the capsules, seeds are released which is called dehiscence. Crotons are picky about their requirements so it does not need any support to release the seeds.
The capsules are teared up naturally but the plant may need some boost when flowering, so you can nurture it with phosphorus or bloom booster.
When the cover of the seed capsule starts drying up and losing its green color, it indicates that the seeds are nearly ripe.
You can cut the seeds to check if the endosperm is still milky, or mature.
After letting the seed pot get ripped, you can collect it easily but you should not touch or collect them with bare hands.
Instead, check the table below about the tools that you can use for seed collection.
| Essential Tools | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Utility Knife | Slicing Dried Fruits or Capsules of Crotons. |
| Secateurs | For Cutting Thick Branches of Trees. |
| Tarpaulins | Water-proof Cloth For Catching the Seeds. |
| Zip-lock Bags | Temporary Field Storage of Seeds. |
| Labels | For Writing Seeds Descriptions. |
| Paper Bags | Dry Temporary Storage. |
Steps to Harvest Croton Seeds
You can apply the dry extraction procedure to harvest croton seeds successfully. Follow the steps below!
- Before beginning the seed extraction process, wear gloves for protection.
- The best time to harvest is when the fruit (capsule) dries, during late fall, or leaves the seeds open.
- Hold the branch with the dried capsule and place it over a dry cloth. You can also cut the fruit from the adhering branch using secateurs.
- Provide a mechanical impact (gentle tap) to separate the seeds from the dried fruit.
- Store the separated seeds immediately in a paper bag.
Croton seeds will lose viability if it is not propagated immediately. A solution to this is that you can immediately store the seeds in cool conditions until plantation.
Where To Buy Croton Seeds?
If you don’t want to let your croton flower for your selective reasons, you can also buy croton seeds from supermarkets or nurseries.
Here is the table for your convenience!
| Shops/ Sites | Delivery Period |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Within 4 to 5 Days After Placing An Order. |
| Ebay | Within 11 to 15 Days After Placing An Order. |
| Shopsy | Within 10 Days After Placing An Order. |
How to Grow Croton from Seeds?
Croton does not develop bulbs so the only possible propagation method can be seedling excluding air layering and stem cutting.
Generally, the seeds of Croton must be sown promptly to preserve viability and it is the only method to grow more Croton plants.
You can also perform either of the following steps to increase the chances of germination.
- Soaking the seeds in smoke-water (smoke-infused water) for six hours.
- Use dilute sulfuric acid or sandpaper to scarify (scratch the seed coat) the seeds.
- Storing seeds at 22°C for eight months (if you don’t want to sow the seeds immediately).
Germination Process of Croton
Seed germination requires the use of necessary equipment and caring to produce batches of healthy seedlings.
However, you can make a list and collect all the items needed for sowing the seeds.
| Requirements | Use |
|---|---|
| Seeds | Sowing and Germinating Material. |
| Soil (Sandy-Loamy) | Acts as Substrate for Germination and Growth. |
| Seed Tray | Medium for Potting. |
| Pots | For Growth After Germination and Production of Seedlings. |
| Fertilizer | Nutritional Requirement for Germination and Growth of Seeds and Seedlings. |
| Gloves | For Safety Precautions. |
Step 1: Seed Preparation for Sowing
Soak the seeds in smoke-induced water for six hours prior to planting. This will increase germination viability.
You can also use scarification techniques such as dipping the seeds in dilute acid or using sandpaper to mechanically scratch the seed surface prior to soaking.
However, freshly extracted seeds may not require soaking or scarification pretreatments.
Step 2: Prepare the Soil and Fertilizer Mix Substrate
To continue, take soil and manure mix at a ratio of 70:30. For proper germination, fertilize the soil with NPK supplement at a ratio of 5-10-10 or 10-10-10.
Crotons are sensitive to soil requirements so using sandy-loamy soil is the proper way to establish a substrate for germination.
Step 3: Sowing the Seeds
Make sure you plant the seeds in a large tray or on the field as crotons need large spaces to grow. You can plant the pretreated seeds in rows about half an inch below the soil.
Each row must be three feet apart and plant the seeds two feet apart from each other.
Providing Care During Germination
Post-sowing care is important for Croton seeds.
Moreover, your planted seeds can have successful germination if you pay attention to certain demands of the seeds.
- Light Requirements – Seeds of Croton are non-photoblastic so they do not require light for germination. Even keeping trays in areas with partial lighting will not harm the seeds.
- Conditions of pH – Maintain the soil substrate pH between acidic to slightly basic (4.8 to 7.2).
- Watering the Seeds – Keep the watering course only if the soil dries within the germination period (10 to 18 days).
Providing Care After Germination
Caring for Croton seedlings is like caring for a baby so you need to keep it away from all the harm.
Competition from native grasses suppresses the growth of Croton seedlings but you can control them in four ways.
- Mechanical weeding or hand weeding to remove the overgrown grasses.
- Burning the grasses in late winter or early spring.
- Using less fertilizer during the preparation of the site for planting.
- Applying brush management techniques if non-herbaceous and woody species become a problem.
I recommend using frequent hand weeding as an initial supply of less fertilizer is the best practice.
Besides, it reduces the risk of burning and brush management techniques, especially those that involve the use of chemicals.
Transplanting Seedlings of Croton
You also need to transplant the seedlings to the field surrounding as the moving objects can smash them off. Keep the seedlings in a safe place or in the pot.
Follow these steps if you complete the transplanting of the seedlings to grow them into fuller croton plants.
- Dig a planting hole in the pot that is a bit bigger than the root ball of the plant.
- Place the pot or tray upside down and gently tap the bottom to take the seedling out.
- Prepare a planting hole in the field that is of the same depth that it was in the tray or pot.
- Put the seedling in the hole in the field and cover it with one-fourth of the soil.
- Gently pack the soil around the seedlings to ensure good contact between roots and the soil.
- Sprinkle water to gently soak the soil around the seedlings.
- After a few days, provide the plant with a cup of fertilizer containing phosphorous to promote strong root development.
Crotons are drought-tolerant species and can thrive in regions of occasional rainfall but you need towater frequently once a day until the plant is well-established.
Additionally, make sure that there is no canopy above the planted seedlings as crotons require full sunlight to grow.
Benefits and Side Effects of Croton Seeds
Seeds of Croton comprise a wide range of benefits. Seeds of one of the species are also called “Miracle Wonder Seeds” as it contains extreme laxative or purgative properties.
According to the published article in Heliyon, the extracted oil from Croton macrostachyus seeds reacts positively against microorganisms with inhibition concentration values between 31.25 and 500 mg/ml.
If you have problems with diabetes, joint pains, and increased cholesterol levels, then the Croton seed powder is very beneficial. They are also sold in markets and are medically approved.
Commercial use of Croton tiglium seeds can be available in vitamin supplements, Ayurvedic powders, and oils.
Seeds of Crotons are also called an anomaly, as they both contain beneficial and harmful effects.
According to a study done in animals, an oral dose from the seeds of Croton macrostachys caused diarrhea, dehydration, partial paralysis of hind limbs, etc. in test subjects.
Croton tiglium seeds can also be toxic to cats causing Drooling, Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Skin irritation.
Besides, seeds of Croton penduliflorus are harmful to pregnant women during the late phases of pregnancy.
Conclusion
Croton has oak leaf-shaped dark green or bronze foliage with veins in yellow, orange, and red which can multifold the decor space.
Though it does not own the as beautiful flower as lily and rose, the blooms can offer new seedlings after reaping into the fruit.
I have explained everything from how to harvest and germinate the seeds and hope you will get all your queries covered! Happy gardening!
FAQs
Where is the best place to put a croton plant? ›
Croton plants develop their best colors when grown in bright light. As houseplants, they must be situated in a sunny window. They will tolerate medium light indoors, but won't grow much and foliage may revert to plain green.
Is croton plant good for home? ›About Croton
Note: All parts of this plant are poisonous—especially the seeds—so it is not recommended for use in homes with curious pets or children.
How to care for a CROTON PLANT | Best potting mix for ... - YouTube
Are croton plants easy to grow? ›Croton is fairly easy to grow from stem tip cuttings about 15cm long. Cut the stem cleanly from the plant at a 45-degree angle and set it into a pot of moistened propagating mix. Mist the leaves to maintain humidity and check the mix regularly to ensure it is moist but never wet—the stem may rot if the mix is too wet.
How long do croton plants live? ›How long do crotons live? The average lifespan of indoor croton is two to four years. To keep your plant outliving its lifespan, take stem cuttings from a mature, healthy plant to propagate the plant. A plant living outdoors in the correct zone in ideal conditions will live longer.
Do crotons need a lot of water? ›The croton plant requires frequent watering, but be sure not to over-water. Too much water can cause root rot, but too little water can dry the humidity-loving plant out. You can use new croton foliage as an indicator of water needs, as it will begin to wilt when thirsty.
Are Crotons poisonous? ›Toxicity:1-2
Exposure to juice or sap from these plants or a puncture wound from the thorns may produce a skin rash or irritation. Ingestion may cause minor symptoms such as rash, vomiting or diarrhea.
BREATHE EASY WITH PETRA CROTONS
Houseplants are known to help purify the air in your home and Crotons provide the same benefit. According to the EPA, the level of pollutants in our indoor air is significantly higher than the air we breathe outdoors.
Popular uses include treatment of cancer, constipation, diabetes, digestive problems, dysentery, external wounds, fever, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, inflammation, intestinal worms, malaria, pain, ulcers and weight-loss.
How do you make crotons grow faster? ›Crotons have a slow to moderate growth, at up to 12 inches in a growing season. Consistently warm temperatures, regular watering and bright, filtered light encourage faster growth.
How often should I water croton? ›
Watering a Croton plant depends on the situation. It can be daily or weekly because you should never let the soil stay dry for an extended period. However, check if the soil is dry before watering to avoid overwatering and root rot. Keep your Croton plant evenly moist in the summer.
How often do crotons flower? ›The Croton plants have small and yellow-colored flowers that grow in clusters at the tips of branches. They bloom all through the year, especially during Summer and Spring, and last for a week or two.
Can you grow croton in water? ›Growing Crotons in Water
Propagating croton plant in water is very easy, as easy as taking a cutting and putting it in water. Take a cutting 6 to 12 inch long and as thick as a pencil from the top of the plant. Cut the lower leaves leaving the growing tips intact. Place the cuttings in a pot of water at about 20-25°C.
Crotons appreciate a generous amount of humidity. You can boost the humidity by misting the leaves, placing a humidifier nearby, or adding a pebble tray. This plant prefers temperatures between 60-70 degrees. Keep your Croton Petra away from drafts and cold areas like a windowpane in the winter.
How long do crotons take to grow? ›How fast do croton plants grow? Croton are regarded as slow to moderate growers. Given plenty of bright light and consistently moist soil, your croton may grow as much as 12 inches over the course of one growing season.
How do I make my croton plant more colorful? ›Give it plenty of water and fertilizer, then when it is growing vigorously, cut it back severely. You can even lop it off below the bottom leaves, Bender says. It will soon respond with a new crop of colorful foliage. A croton in a container can be maintained as a small, bushy shrub by pinching it back frequently.
How big will a croton grow? ›Croton is a small shrub used as a landscape plant in tropical climates. In its native habitat, croton is a branching, bushy shrub that grows up to 10 feet tall but those offered as houseplants are usually much smaller than the wild plant. The large, thick, leathery leaves are 2 to 12 inches long and quite variable.
Do Crotons flower? ›Crotons are generally bushy plants with large, leathery, shiny leaves. They do bloom, but their tiny, star-shaped yellow flowers are insignificant, hanging down in long clusters between the large leaves.
Do Crotons need fertilizer? ›Croton plants need more fertilizing than other houseplants. Apply a fertilizer high in nitrogen and potassium with a lower phosphorous level.
Will crotons grow in full sun? ›Many crotons grow best in full sun, but many cultivars can tolerate, and even prefer, light shade partial shade. Crotons are best grown in subtropical South and Central Florida. Frosts or freezes will damage them, but they quickly recover. When used outdoors this plant looks most attractive when grown in groups.
Why is my croton dying? ›
The reason for a dying croton is usually because of under watering, over watering, transplant shock or due to cold temperatures. Crotons are tropical plants and sensitive to cold temperatures. Temperatures lower then 50ºF cause the crotons leaves to drop with a dying appearance.
How often should I water croton? ›Watering a Croton plant depends on the situation. It can be daily or weekly because you should never let the soil stay dry for an extended period. However, check if the soil is dry before watering to avoid overwatering and root rot. Keep your Croton plant evenly moist in the summer.
Can I put my croton plant outside? ›Crotons (Codaeum variegatum), also called garden crotons or variegated crotons, are perennial evergreen shrubs that do best outdoors in planting zones 9-11, but are also popular additions to indoor landscaping in greenhouses or as house plants.
Why is my croton plant dropping leaves? ›Heat and humidity – Croton plants are tropicals, meaning they thrive in warm and humid conditions. If your croton's leaves fall off, it could be that it's been exposed to cold or hot extremes such as open doors or air ducts. A humidifier or a regular misting with distilled water will help your croton feel at home.
How do you make croton leaves red? ›If a croton's colors fade in low light levels, you need to increase the amount of light it is receiving. Bring the croton outdoors during the warm part of the year to give it more light.
Will crotons grow in full sun? ›Many crotons grow best in full sun, but many cultivars can tolerate, and even prefer, light shade partial shade. Crotons are best grown in subtropical South and Central Florida. Frosts or freezes will damage them, but they quickly recover. When used outdoors this plant looks most attractive when grown in groups.
Do Crotons flower? ›Crotons are generally bushy plants with large, leathery, shiny leaves. They do bloom, but their tiny, star-shaped yellow flowers are insignificant, hanging down in long clusters between the large leaves.
How fast do crotons grow? ›How fast do croton plants grow? Croton are regarded as slow to moderate growers. Given plenty of bright light and consistently moist soil, your croton may grow as much as 12 inches over the course of one growing season.
Can croton grow in shade? ›Croton does best in fertile, well-drained, moist soil. They need bright, indirect light when grown indoors. Outdoors they thrive in partial shade, and in cool climates can tolerate full sun if kept moist (and are acclimated first when moved from inside).
Are Crotons hard to care for? ›Crotons have some of the boldest and brightest foliage around. Often vividly marked with bright yellow, orange, and red, these exotic plants have a reputation for being high-maintenance due to their tropical nature, but once they acclimate to their new home, they're quite low-care.
What is the croton plant good for? ›
Croton is a plant. The oil from the seeds is used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people take croton seeds for emptying and cleansing the stomach and intestines. They also take croton seeds to treat gallbladder problems, colic, blocked intestines, and malaria.
How do I make my Croton bushy? ›...
Provide Sufficient Light, Water, and Fertilizer
- Make sure your croton gets 6–8 hours of indirect sunlight every day.
- Provide 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water every week to keep soil moist.
- Use 3-1-2 or 8-2-10 fertilizer to provide a growth boost.
Not enough sun can also reduce the color of the variegated laves. To revive crotons locate the plant in bright, indirect light, ensure that the soil is evenly moist yet well draining, and mist the leaves regularly to create a humid micro-climate that emulates the humid conditions of the crotons native environment.
What plants look good with Crotons? ›They are eye-catching and attractive companions for coleus, canna, celosia, lantana, angelonia, marigolds, and other seasonal favorites. Many croton varieties, including popular 'Petra' are variegated with shades of red, orange, and yellow.
How do I make my croton plant more colorful? ›Give it plenty of water and fertilizer, then when it is growing vigorously, cut it back severely. You can even lop it off below the bottom leaves, Bender says. It will soon respond with a new crop of colorful foliage. A croton in a container can be maintained as a small, bushy shrub by pinching it back frequently.
Are croton leaves poisonous? ›What Part of the Croton Plant is Poisonous? All parts of the Croton are poisonous, including the leaves, stems, roots, and blossoms. The sap is especially dangerous because it may cause skin rashes. If you come into contact with the sap, it is important to wash the area immediately with soap and water.
How do you make croton leaves more colorful? ›How to Grow Colorful Crotons Indoors - YouTube