Native to rainforests in South Asia, India and Indonesia, the variegated or fire croton (Codiaeum variegatum) is a tropical evergreen known not so much for its tiny inconspicuous flowers but for its vibrant leaves ranging between various shapes and colors.
There is a wide variety of fire croton cultivars available, often with dramatic differences in appearance. The leaves, for instance, can be elliptic, lanceolate or even lobed like those of a common oak and range between a myriad of colors and shades, such as yellow, orange, green, red, purple or even beige.
Uniformly green at a young age, the leaves only gain their variegated colors if given enough light and time. So, if our plant still has green leaves, we should try to find a more sunlit spot for it, in addition to high ambient temperatures and humidity in general.
Come check out these vivid beauties in various terrariums as well as the undergrowth in our Palm House after we reopen.
Debrecen Zoo and Amusement Park
