Codiaeum variegatum (Croton) 'Mammi'

Codiaeum variegatum (Croton) 'Mammi' name and origin

This curled-leaf Croton is also known as 'Mammy' and 'Mammie'.

Codiaeum variegatum is a tropical shrub native across tropical Southeast Asia and the south-west Pacific.

Codiaeum variegatum (Croton) 'Mammi' care and maintenance

• Light: Place 'Mammi' in bright filtered light so its red, purple and green tones develop well. Move it into brighter light gradually.
• Leaf care: Wipe along the curves of the leaves with a soft damp cloth, following each fold to remove settled dust.
• Water: Let the surface of the mix begin to dry before watering. Moisten the pot thoroughly and allow all surplus water to drain away. Room-temperature rainwater is useful where local tap water is very hard.
• Humidity and warmth: Moderate to high humidity and steady warmth suit this tropical shrub. Keep it above 15°C and away from cold draughts or dry radiator air.
• Potting mix: Use a loose, free-draining, slightly acidic mix in a container with a drainage hole.
• Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertiliser during active growth at the rate on the label. When growth slows in cooler, darker conditions, water less often and pause feeding until fresh growth resumes.
• Repotting and pruning: Repot when roots crowd the container or the mix begins drying unusually quickly. Trim long stems if you want the plant to grow fuller.
• Propagation: Young stem cuttings can be rooted in warm, humid conditions during active growth.
• Safety: Wear gloves when cutting stems because the sap can irritate skin and eyes. Keep the leaves away from children and pets that may chew them.

Codiaeum variegatum (Croton) 'Mammi' plant problems

• Cottony clusters collect in leaf folds or stem joints: Mealybugs are likely. Isolate the plant and check the inner folds, leaf bases and stem joints carefully, then remove visible insects and use a houseplant treatment labelled for mealybugs and repeat it as often as the label says. Our mealybug guide shows where to check.
• Fine pale speckling develops across the curled leaves: Spider mites may be feeding on the leaves. Inspect the inner curves and undersides, rinse the plant thoroughly, then use a houseplant treatment labelled for spider mites and repeat it as often as the label says.
• Red and purple tones fade from new growth: Light is probably too low. Increase bright filtered light gradually and check the next leaves for stronger colour.
• Leaves drop suddenly: A cold draught, sudden temperature change, very dry mix or potting mix that stays wet for too long can cause leaves to drop. Check moisture first, then keep the plant warm and stable while it recovers.
• Leaves soften and yellow while the potting mix stays wet: Root rot is likely. 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 more recovery steps.

Codiaeum variegatum (Croton) ‘Mammi’ 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.

Who first published the name Codiaeum, and when?

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.