Plant Library

Other Names:  Variegated Island Laurel, Joseph's Coat

Description:

This woody perennial is considered a houseplant in colder climates, and noted for its striking foliage; glossy, extremely narrow leaves in shades of green, red, orange, and dark purple; a striking garden accent; great for patio pots; protect from frost

Ornamental Features

Zanzibar Variegated Croton's attractive glossy narrow leaves emerge light green in spring, turning dark green in color with distinctive yellow spots and tinges of scarlet the rest of the year on a plant with an arching habit of growth.

Landscape Attributes

Zanzibar Variegated Croton is a dense herbaceous annual with a shapely form and gracefully arching foliage. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Zanzibar Variegated Croton is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Zanzibar Variegated Croton will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. Although it's not a true annual, this plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant is a heavy feeder that requires frequent fertilizing throughout the growing season to perform at its best. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.

Zanzibar Variegated Croton is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.