Codiaeum variegatum (Croton) ‘Mrs. Iceton’

Codiaeum variegatum (Croton) 'Mrs. Iceton' history

'Mrs. Iceton' was already being traded internationally by 1901, when plants from James H. Veitch & Sons in London reached the United States.

Codiaeum variegatum grows naturally across tropical Southeast Asia and neighbouring parts of the south-west Pacific. 'Mrs. Iceton' has been grown for more than a century.

Codiaeum variegatum (Croton) 'Mrs. Iceton' care requirements

• Light for colour: Bright filtered light helps the lime-green new leaves develop pink, cream, yellow and red colouring. Keep the plant close to a bright window. Protect the leaves from intense midday sun through glass.
• Temperature: Keep temperatures above 15°C and give the plant a sheltered position away from cold draughts.
• Watering: Water once the surface of the potting mix starts to dry. Wet the root ball evenly, then let the container drain before returning it to its decorative outer pot. Collected rainwater at room temperature is useful in hard-water areas.
• Humidity: Moderate to high humidity suits the plant. Keep the plant away from direct heat and very dry air.
• Potting mix: Use a light, free-draining, slightly acidic potting mix that holds some moisture between waterings.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser during active growth, following the product label. When growth slows in cooler, darker conditions, water less often and pause feeding until fresh growth resumes.
• Repotting and shape: Repot when the roots fill the pot or the potting mix starts drying much faster than usual. Prune long stems when needed so new shoots grow lower down.
• Propagation: Young stem cuttings can be rooted during active growth in warm, humid conditions.
• Handling: The sap can irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves for pruning and keep the plant where children and pets cannot chew the leaves or stems.

Codiaeum variegatum (Croton) 'Mrs. Iceton' issues and solutions

• New leaves stay green as they mature: Light is probably too low for the leaves to develop their full range of colours. Move the plant gradually into brighter filtered light and check the next leaves; the bright indirect light guide can help with positioning.
• Leaves fall after a cold draught or room change: A sudden change in temperature or position can make the plant drop leaves. Keep it warm, stable and evenly moist while it settles.
• Hard brown or greenish bumps appear on leaves and stems: Scale insects may be present. Isolate the plant, remove visible scale, then apply a houseplant treatment labelled for scale and repeat it as often as the label says.
• Leaf edges turn crisp and brown: Dry air or uneven watering is the likely cause. Water consistently as the surface begins to dry and increase humidity around the leaves.
• Many leaves turn yellow while the potting mix stays wet: Root rot may be affecting the plant. Unpot it, remove soft dark roots with a clean, disinfected tool, trim 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 (Croton) ‘Mrs. Iceton’ 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?

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.