The Dependable Croton is Officially My Favorite Indoor Plant

This sturdy plant's long scientific name is Codiaeum variegatum. Originating from a variety of tropical islands in the south, this plant seems to adapt well to indoor environments year round, here in the United States.

There are many different varieties of the Croton. The one I'm more familiar with has multicolored foliage consisting of beautiful dark green and deep red tones which remind me of a red and green cabbage mixture. This plant has personality. Sometimes it changes to more of a deep green color and less red, and then the next season it reflects greater reddish and less green.

This durable plant thrives in the winter and summer months; and in dark and sunny conditions. It is an extremely easy plant for most people to care for. Watering it weekly is all it takes to grow healthy, tall, wide and strong. Well it is true that the Croton needs some sun, artificial light does not hinder the growth of this plant.

There are many silk plants for sale depicting the Croton. Since the natural plant needs very little care, choosing natural over artificial could be based mostly on preference. Maintenance may not necessarily be a strong factor. I've seen 3' tall silk Crotons that have a natural look to them. As with all silk plants, keeping them dust free prolongs the crisp look.

The natural Croton doesn't spurn flowers. Therefore, it makes an excellent housewarming gift to present to both male and female genders. It grows large, stunning, dark green and red leaves all year around. The growth rate is manageable. If your lifestyle is a busy one, you can get buy with pruning this plant seasonally.

According to The Croton Society website the Crotons grow as tall as 10'. [1] Visit their website at http://www.crotons.org to learn more on how to properly care for this lovely plant. Their informative website includes a photo gallery showing the different varieties and colors of this versatile plant.

You can usually find them reasonably priced for under $10, with 3' silk plants priced at around $30. To get the best price, shop around garden nurseries as well as the large hardware stores that have a separate plant nursery. Be careful to choose healthy, small plants and re-plant them in larger containers to give them room to grow. If re-planting this shrub outdoors, clip off a few stems to grow inside your home during the winter months to add to the visual warmth and décor.

[1] Source: http://www.crotons.org, accessed June 29, 2008.