Croton - Codiaeum Moar Yellow

The Croton or Codiaeum 'Moar Yellow' is a houseplant renowned for its vibrant colours. This cultivar stands out with its broad, ovate or lanceolate leaves, in a dark green hue accentuated by veins and yellow-orange tones. Native to tropical regions, it brings a warm and exotic atmosphere to your home. Place it near a window with plenty of light, while avoiding direct midday sun to preserve its bright colours and protect its foliage. The Croton requires some care but remains accessible to plant enthusiasts.

The Croton 'Moar Yellow' is a perennial bushy plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. Indoors, its growth is moderate, typically reaching a height of 80 cm to 1 m and a spread of 50 to 60 cm. Its habit is upright and compact, with dense foliage. The tough leaves have a smooth, glossy texture. In this cultivar, they are broad and elongated, pointed, and measure between 15 and 40 cm in length. They display vivid colours ranging from green to yellow, with hints of red and orange, and contrasting veins. Flowering indoors is rare and unspectacular, appearing as small yellow star-shaped flowers which, if pollinated, may produce round black berries.

The Codiaeum genus includes bushes native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, where they thrive in warm, humid environments, typically in light undergrowth or forest edges.

For indoor cultivation, the Croton 'Moar Yellow' requires bright light, ideally near a window, while avoiding direct sunlight that could scorch its leaves. However, the Croton's colours are enhanced by a few hours of morning or evening sun, so a room facing southeast or southwest, filtered from the strongest midday rays, will yield the best results. It appreciates high ambient humidity and a stable temperature between 18 and 29°C, with no draughts. Regular watering is necessary, keeping the substrate slightly moist but not waterlogged to prevent root rot. It is also recommended to mist the foliage regularly with non-calcareous water to maintain adequate humidity and prevent spider mite infestations.

The Croton 'Moar Yellow' is toxic: its sap contains an irritating white latex that can cause burns if ingested and skin reactions upon contact. It is therefore advisable to handle the plant with gloves and keep it out of reach of children and pets.

With its brightly coloured leaves, the Croton 'Moar Yellow' is ideal for brightening up a living room, office, or well-lit conservatory. Its tropical look is perfect for bohemian, vintage (this plant was very popular in the 70s) or exotic interiors. Place it in a terracotta or glazed ceramic pot to highlight its natural, colourful charm. On an open shelf, a raw wooden stand, or next to a rattan armchair, it transforms the space into a warm and inviting green corner. You can pair it with a Dieffenbachia 'Camilla' and a Calathea 'Medallion'.