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Add some color to your home with the stunning Gold Dust Croton. This gorgeous tropical plant thrives in well-lit spots. The more sun they get, the brighter, star-like variegation will appear in their foliage. You can usually expect warm, stellar bursts of gold contrasting with dark green. Bright and bold, they are surprisingly easy to care for.
Gold Dust Croton Care Guide
Loves bright light so they can produce their colorful leaves.
Water when the soil begins to dry out, but do not oversaturate.
Enjoys high humidity. Spritz occasionally.
Keep this plant in consistent temperatures. Avoid drafts, heat or air vent outlets and windows and doors. Avoid moving this plant around or they will protest and drop leaves.
Outside: Place Crotons in morning sun to develop their vivid colors. Midday sun can burn the leaves. Leave outside in container pots until night time temperatures dip to 60°F.
Inside: Set this plant in bright, indirect lighting.
Water the Croton Petra one day prior to fertilizing. Fertilize once a month by diluting a liquid fertilizer by half strength. A slow release granular fertilizer can be added to the top of the soil and as you water will release nutrients for the plant. Let the plant rest in the fall and winter.
When receiving the plant, do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months or if the roots are beginning to get crowded and growing through the drainage holes.
Repot in the spring, using a 2" bigger pot to keep the roots drier. (Too big of a pot could cause the soil to dry slower, which is not helpful.) Use a well-draining indoor potting mix with perlite to help with drainage.
Water your plant in the old pot before transferring over and let sit an hour. Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow it to drain. Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen.
Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling.
Ensure the plant is sitting about 1" below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over.
Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. If settling occurs, add more soil.
Gently wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth or paper towel. Work gently from the stem's base toward the leaf's tip, cleaning both sides at once. After cleaning the leaves, remove any dead leaves or debris on the surface of the soil.
Refreshen the soil mixture if needed.
Prune away damaged or diseased leaves down to the stem base with sterile scissors. They can be pruned down to a manageable size if overgrown to create lushness. When pruning, only remove 1/3 of the stem height at a time.
In the spring or summer, prune 3-4 inch stem cuttings from the parent plant with three to four leaves on the stem.
Dip the ends in root hormone (mixed in water at a paste consistency) and place in damp, well-draining, moist potting soil mix and tamp down around the stem to secure it.
Use a container that has drainage and is deep enough for the roots to grow. Place the stem at least 1-2 inches down into the soil.
Mist inside a clear plastic bag to create moisture and humidity. Place the bag over the top of the plantings and let it set over the planter. There is no need to tie off the bag but allow a little airflow under and into the planting pot.
Set them in bright, indirect sunlight while they are rooting.
Check the moisture and humidity each day and add misting to keep the soil moist while the roots establish.
After 6-8 weeks, roots will begin to form. You can tug onto the stem to ensure the roots are establishing.
Another way is to directly take leaf cuttings from the stem and place the ends in an inch of filtered or bottled water. Replace the water weekly and observe the growth each week. Once you have several healthy roots, combine a little rooting hormone into the well-draining potting mix to help get established. Water the soil and use a clear plastic bag, misting them with water, and place them over each leaf to create high humidity. Each week, check the soil moisture and water if needed. After 6-8 weeks, the roots should be firmly in place, and a new baby Croton will continue to grow fresh sprouts!
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Gold Dust Croton: Overview
The Gold Dust Croton (Codiaeum variegatum 'Gold Dust') is a delightful tropical plant with deep green, pointed leaves dusted with a constellation of golden speckles. This fabulous plant belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is native to Southeast Asia and Polynesia. Ideally suited for hardiness zones 9–11, the Gold Dust Croton thrives in bright sunshine. Croton care is fairly easy, as this plant doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. The Gold Dust Croton is toxic to pets if ingested, but the compact size of this relatively small plant makes it easy to keep out of your pet’s reach.
Gold Dust Crotons symbolize renewal, prosperity, and personal growth, and are a popular friendship plant that’s often gifted to wish loved ones the best of luck.
Crotons are prized for their incredible foliage colors, and another Croton variety you don’t want to miss is the amazing Croton Petra.
Croton Gold Dust Plant: Benefits
- Great at purifying indoor air of toxins
- Its compact size makes it perfect for small spaces
- Gorgeous gift plant
- Eye-catching, sunny foliage with amazing tropical vibes
- Moderately easy to care for
Gold Dust Croton Plant: Care Guide
The Golden Dust Croton is relatively easy to care for. This indoor plant will thrive in the right growing conditions. Follow these Croton Gold Dust care tips to keep this plant in its best shape:
Watering and Humidity
Water your Croton Gold Dust well and allow the top soil layer to dry before the next watering. Make sure your Croton plant doesn’t dry out, but neither let it remain sitting in water, as this can lead to root rot. Reduce watering in winter.
This tropical plant enjoys high humidity. Place this plant among other houseplants, mist the leaves regularly, or use a humidifier to maintain high humidity.
Light and Temperature
Bright, indirect light is vital for maintaining the beautiful foliage colors of this Croton variety. While they can tolerate several hours of direct sunlight in the mornings, Crotons need protection from the scorching midday sun.
The best temperatures for this plant are 60°F to 70°F. Avoid places near doors or windows since Crotons can be sensitive to cold drafts.
Soil, Feeding, and Repotting
Use a well-draining potting soil for your Croton plant. Add perlite or coco coir to improve aeration and organic matter to enrich the soil. For the best Codiaeum Variegatum care, feed your Croton plant monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted at half strength.
The Croton Codiaeum Variegatum grows relatively slowly, so it should be repotted once every 3 years. Use a slightly larger pot to allow its roots space to grow, but not too large, as soil in larger pots doesn’t dry as well, leading to soggy soil.
Propagation
The most reliable method for Gold Dust Croton propagation is from stem cuttings. Take cuttings with 3-4 leaves. Plant these in moist, well-draining soil and cover with a clear plastic bag to maintain high humidity. Place in bright but indirect sunlight and wait for the roots to form.
Pruning, Cleaning, and Common Issues
Prune leggy or overgrown stems to ensure your plant is bushy and lush. Wipe the leaves of your Gold Dust Croton plant with a damp, soft cloth to remove accumulated dust.
Brown spots on the leaves can be the result of overwatering. Leaf drop can occur due to overwatering, underwatering, or sudden temperature fluctuations. It’s best not to move this plant once you find the right place for it.
Croton Gold Dust: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
The gold-speckled Croton Gold Dust plant is the perfect choice for adding tropical vibes and sunny color to your home or office.
Best Locations & Uses
- Ideal for tabletops and shelves
- Perfect for well-lit bathrooms as it appreciates high humidity
- Wonderfully decorative patio plant in warmer climates
- Great for homes without pets
- Outstanding foliage plant for adding color to living spaces
Companion Plants
Combine your Gold Dust Croton with other tropical plants to achieve a relaxing, jungle-like effect:
- Philodendron Birkin (Philodendron 'Birkin'): The charming Philodendron Birkin stands out with its heart-shaped, emerald leaves that develop delightful stripes and tinges of pink and red as they mature.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): With its elegantly arched leaves and snowy flowers, the Peace Lily is often considered one of the best air purifiers of the plant world.
- Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera adansonii): The whimsical fenestrations in the leaves of the Swiss Cheese Plant give this unique, vining plant its name.
Alternative Plants
If you love the Croton’s bright colors but aren’t sure you can keep your pets from nibbling its leaves, consider these amazing pet-friendly alternatives:
- Calathea Rattlesnake (Calathea lancifolia): The bold pattern on the leaves of Calathea Rattlesnake catches the eye and makes this humidity-loving plant a striking accent in any interior.
- Pink Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya): Speckled in bubblegum pink, the Pink Polka Dot Plant is an adorable and mood-lifting indoor plant.
- Peperomia Ginny (Peperomia clusiifolia 'Ginny'): Another gorgeous variegated plant, Peperomia Ginny is both easy-care and pet-friendly.
Order Gold Dust Croton From Lively Root Today
Add brilliant color to a brightly lit corner of your home with one of the stunning Croton plants for sale from Lively Root!
