Codiaeum variegatum 'Aucubaefolia'

Identity and natural origin of Codiaeum variegatum 'Aucubaefolia'

By the 1980s, this Croton was already known as 'Aucubaefolia'.

In the wild, Codiaeum variegatum occurs naturally from Malesia to the south-western Pacific, where it grows as a shrub or small tree in wet tropical habitats.

Codiaeum variegatum 'Aucubaefolia' care essentials

• Light: Give it bright filtered light for clear spotting and steady growth. 'Aucubaefolia' can also grow in medium indoor light.
• Water: Water when the surface of the potting mix has started to dry. Soak the root ball evenly and let excess water drain fully. Collected rainwater at room temperature is useful where tap water is very hard.
• Humidity: Moderate to high humidity helps the leaves stay in good condition. Keep the plant away from dry heat and cold draughts.
• Temperature: Warm, stable rooms suit it well. Keep temperatures above 15°C; around 18°C or warmer supports active growth.
• Potting mix: Use a loose, free-draining, slightly acidic houseplant mix in a pot with drainage holes.
• Feeding: Feed lightly during active growth with a balanced houseplant fertiliser, following the product label. When growth slows in cooler, darker conditions, water less often and pause feeding until fresh growth resumes.
• Repotting and pruning: Repot when roots fill the container or the mix dries unusually quickly after watering. Move up by one pot size. Long shoots can be shortened to help it grow more branches.
• Propagation: Young stem cuttings can be rooted during active growth in warm, humid conditions.
• Handling: Wear gloves when pruning or taking cuttings. The sap can irritate skin and eyes, and swallowed plant material can cause stomach upset. Keep the plant where children and pets cannot chew it.

Codiaeum variegatum 'Aucubaefolia' problems and solutions

• Leaves drop soon after a move: A sudden change in light, temperature or transport conditions is the likely cause. Give the plant a warm, stable position with filtered light and check that the root ball is evenly moist.
• New leaves develop weak yellow spotting: Light is probably too low for the strongest pattern. Move the plant gradually to a brighter filtered position; our bright indirect light guide can help with placement.
• Fine pale speckling or webbing appears: Spider mites are likely. Isolate the plant, rinse and wipe the leaves carefully, then use a houseplant treatment labelled for spider mites and repeat it as often as the label says.
• Brown, dry patches appear on the leaves: Hot sun through glass, dry air or irregular watering can damage the leaf surface. Move the plant out of intense sun, water consistently and increase humidity if the air is dry.
• Leaves yellow and soften while the mix stays wet: Root rot may have started. Unpot the plant, remove soft dark roots with a clean, disinfected tool, cut back to firm healthy tissue, discard the rotten material and repot in fresh free-draining mix. See our root rot guide for recovery steps.

Codiaeum variegatum ‘Aucubaefolia’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs, and avoid contact with its sap.
• The sap can irritate the mouth, digestive tract, skin and eyes.
• Exposure may cause burning mouth pain, vomiting, stomach pain, or skin and eye irritation. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop.

The history of the name Codiaeum

Codiaeum is a Latinized form of kodiho, a vernacular name from Ternate in Indonesia.

Adrien Henri Laurent de Jussieu established the genus Codiaeum in 1824 in De Euphorbiacearum Generibus, page 33; Georg Eberhard Rumphius had proposed the name.

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Croton variegatus in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1199. Adrien Henri Laurent de Jussieu later placed it in Codiaeum as Codiaeum variegatum in 1824 in De Euphorbiacearum Generibus, pages 80 and 111; Georg Eberhard Rumphius had proposed the name.