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Croton 'Picasso'

Rare

Croton 'Picasso'

Title

Use code SUMMER26 to get 10% off all orders
Green thumb guarantee: If your plant care goes haywire within 6 months of your order, claim a $15 gift card for your plant.

  •   Croton 'Picasso' (Codiaeum variegatum) is a tropical shrub from the rainforests of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, where it grows as a colorful, woody understory plant. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and has been cultivated for centuries as an ornamental, prized in collections worldwide for its narrow, dramatically patterned foliage.

      The leaves of 'Picasso' are long and narrow, tapering to a fine point in the style of a paintbrush, with a surface that shifts between green, yellow, orange, and burgundy-red depending on light exposure. New growth tends to emerge in brighter, softer tones, while older leaves deepen toward darker reds and near-black. It grows in an upright, bushy form, with leaves arranged alternately along stiff stems, and can spread noticeably as it matures.

      As a codiaeum variegatum cultivar, 'Picasso' occasionally produces small, star-shaped flowers on slender spikes, but these are largely unremarkable and appear infrequently indoors. What draws most attention is how its leaf color intensifies with increased light, with leaves in a bright spot showing the widest range of tones across a single plant. It has a bohemian quality that works well in eclectic interiors, and rotating the pot every few weeks keeps all sides developing evenly.

      Move it outside in summer to a sheltered spot, and cover it from heavy rain, as the roots dislike waterlogged soil. 'Picasso' is sensitive to being relocated once settled, and may drop leaves after a move as it adjusts. Cats, dogs, and small children should be kept away from it, as the sap causes skin and paw irritation, and the plant is harmful if ingested. Keep it on a high shelf or in a room where toddlers and pets cannot reach it.

  •   Croton 'Picasso' thrives in bright indirect light and tolerates some direct morning sun, but scorches in a south-facing window.

      It needs water every 7–10 days in summer, less in winter; it wilts slightly when dry.

      'Picasso' does best in a well-draining, peat-free potting mix blended with perlite for aeration.

      It prefers temperatures between 60°F and 85°F and suffers near air conditioning vents or heating units.

      'Picasso' is a moderate grower; feed it with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during spring and summer.

      It is hardy in USDA zones 11–12, where frost does not occur and temperatures stay above 50°F year-round. It grows outdoors in Hawaii and the southernmost parts of Florida. In cooler states, it lives indoors year-round and can be moved outside during warm summer months.
  • Q: What humidity level does Croton 'Picasso' need to stay healthy?
    A: It needs high humidity, ideally above 50%. Placing it near a kitchen or bathroom helps, or use a pebble tray filled with water beneath the pot.

    Q: Why are the leaves turning yellow?
    A: Croton 'Picasso' most often drops or yellows leaves after being moved, or when exposed to cold drafts from AC or heating vents. Overwatering can also cause yellowing, along with roots sitting in soggy soil.

    Q: Is 'Picasso' safe to keep around pets?
    A: Cats and dogs should not be left to chew or eat any part of it. The sap also causes skin and paw irritation on contact, so keep it out of reach on a high shelf.

    Q: How do I propagate this plant?
    A: 'Picasso' propagates through stem cuttings. Take a cutting just below a node, let the cut end dry briefly to reduce sap flow, then place it in moist soil or water until roots develop.

    Q: Which window direction works best for 'Picasso'?
    A: An east- or west-facing window is ideal. South-facing windows can scorch the leaves, and north-facing spots don't provide enough light to keep the leaf colors saturated.

    Q: Can this plant go outside in summer?
    A: 'Picasso' can spend summer outdoors in a spot with filtered light and shelter from heavy rain. Bring it back inside before nighttime temperatures drop below 60°F.

  • Hand-Packed with Care: We use a multi-layer system to ensure a safe arrival: soil is secured with wood fiber and sealed bags, houseplants are wrapped in signature paper, and large specimens are stabilized with stakes and locking inserts. Orders over $500 ship via pallet for maximum protection.

    Processing: Shipped within 3-5 business days (Mon-Fri) year-round.

    Urgent Orders: Message us for shipping upgrades (additional cost).

    Destinations:We ship houseplants to the lower 48 US states only. Excludes AK, HI, PR, Guam, and international destinations.

    Cold Weather: If under 40°F, please add a Heat Pack to your order for safety.

    Weather Delay: We may delay shipping during extreme weather (e.g., snowstorms) to ensure plant health.

    🌿 For Houseplants
    When your package arrives, you may notice a bit of loose soil in the box. This is completely normal during shipping.
    Please remove your plants from their packaging as soon as possible and review the care instructions included with your order. Water based on your plant’s needs, making sure not to overwater.
    Houseplants may need a short adjustment period after arrival. Give your plant time to acclimate to its new space before placing it with other plants. You can gently clean the leaves if needed, and wait to fertilize until it has settled in. Always check soil moisture instead of watering on a fixed schedule.
    *** We pack carefully to protect each plant during transit, so larger orders may arrive in multiple packages.

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