Croton Mammy Plant Care Guide
What is the Croton Mammy Plant?
The Croton Mammy is a spunky petite cultivar of the species Codiaeum variegatum. The species was discovered by Carl Linneaus and is native to Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and the western islands of the Pacific Ocean. The Croton Mammy is best known for its magnificent array of colors including pink, red, orange, green and yellow.
This lovely houseplant requires only a moderate amount of effort to keep it strong, healthy and thriving. It will remain relatively small and manspeciesageable compared to other cultivars of its . The Croton Mammy features strappy, twisted leaves that are luscious and thick enough to catch the eye of novices and plant aficionados alike.
Light Care
The Croton Mammy thrives when it gets ample amounts of direct sunshine. This lovely houseplant needs at least several hours a day of full light in order to maintain the vibrancy of its colors. If your Croton Mammy is not receiving enough light, it will let you know with the fading of its colorful leaves. So if you notice the colors of your houseplant beginning to dull, it is time to relocate. On the other hand, in warmer climates where sunshine is abundant, it is important to keep your Croton Mammy shaded during hours of peak sunlight.
If possible, it is best to keep your Croton Mammy close to a window or sliding glass door, where plenty of sunshine can reach its leaves. It would love a spot on a shelf or table near a window in a kitchen or bedroom. An office window sill would be equally desirable. Really any place that offers bright sunshine would be ideal for this tropical little fellow.
Water Care
Being a native to tropical climates, the Croton Mammy craves consistent moisture. Water your Mammy about once or twice a week. If you live in a dry climate, you will need to water more often. When providing hydration for your houseplant, use enough water to moisten, but do not fully saturate the soil. If the roots of your Croton Mammy become saturated, then they will eventually rot. Root rot can spell disaster for this particular indoor plant and the ailment can spread, sadly causing death over time.
It is extremely important to keep your Croton Mammy in a pot that allows for adequate drainage. That way if you happen to overdo it with the watering, the excess water will be expelled and root rot will be prevented. If the leaves begin to turn brown on the edges, this can be a sign that you are overwatering.
Food Guide
Luckily, caring for a Croton Mammy plant only requires a small amount of time and effort. They are fairly resilient and will survive just fine without fertilization. With that being said, if you want to give your houseplant an extra boost of energy to help it grow to its fullest potential, occasional fertilization won’t hurt. Simply provide your Croton Mammy with a granular fertilizer about three times a year (once in spring, summer and fall).
When it comes to proper soil, the Croton Mammy is relatively flexible. The most important consideration to keep in mind is to keep your houseplant in a soil that allows for water to drain adequately. An all purpose soil mixed with sand or perlite should do the trick and ultimately prevent waterlogging and the dreaded root rot. Otherwise, the Croton Mammy is actually quite tolerant of acidic, alkaline or neutral soil types.
Staff Holy Grail Tip:
A common mistake that new plant parents make is forgetting the importance of occasional repotting of their houseplants. The Croton Mammy will unfortunately experience quite a bit of distress if it becomes root bound. The plant will not be able to obtain the proper amount of water and nutrients if its root system is compressed. The best way to prevent unnecessary stress on your Croton Mammy is to repot to a slightly larger pot in the springtime. Select a pot that is approximately 2 inches larger in diameter than the previous pot. Be sure to be gentle when removing your Mammy from its old pot. Fill the new pot about halfway with fresh soil and create a small well to place the plant into. Lastly, fill the remainder of the pot with soil, pat gently to compact and water to keep moist.
