Discover the history of croton. This colorful plant has an interesting past. At one point in Florida, there were entire nurseries dedicated to croton.
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Today, we have another installment of Plant Stories, and this one is on Croton. I do have a Croton care video linked below. As mentioned, this is part of my Plant Stories collection of videos, and it covers the history of Croton. I love this plant species! The colors and forms, the leaf shapes, and everything about them are just so gorgeous. The splotches of yellow, like in the front one there, really stand out. These are all Crotons here with me right now.
They have large, thick, leathery leaves, but sometimes you’ll find smaller ones, like in this one. That’s a great feature; they have different shapes and sizes of leaves, and some are corkscrew-like and twisted. It’s just amazing the variation in the Croton family of plants, and that is one of the reasons why it has been so popular over the years. It also contributes to its really interesting history.
Crotons, or Codiaeum variegatum, is the botanical name. They are members of the family Euphorbiaceae, which is the Euphorbia family. The plant is native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and the western Pacific Ocean islands. The Croton was first introduced to America in the 1870s by the Henry A. Dreer Seed and Florist Company in Philadelphia. Very soon, the Croton made its way to Florida, where it thrives in the warm, humid weather.
For decades, the plant was propagated and sold by the Reasoner family of Bradenton and Palmetto, who helped pioneer the horticulture business in Florida in the late 1880s. The Reasoner family was exchanging plant material with botanical gardens all over the world by the late 1880s. They sold plants to Northern American garden businesses via mail order and published horticultural catalogs from 1883 to 1936. In those catalogs, you guessed it, were photos and drawings of various Crotons, some of which are no longer in existence.
The Crotons were all the rage in Florida in the 1920s and 30s, and by 1950, there were entire nurseries in the Miami area devoted to Croton. You can imagine going to a Croton nursery; I think it would be a very colorful display. New hybrids always produced a lot of excitement. At the same time as they were being bred in nurseries in the commercial trade, hobbyist hybridizers were breeding various Crotons in their own gardens. Many of those Crotons never made it into the commercial trade, and some of the plants can only be seen today in older neighborhoods from Miami to Tampa.
As mentioned, the new hybrids always produced excitement when they came out. Some that were created included Franklin Roosevelt, which was a colorful red, pink, and green plant with long, spotted leaves, and the green and yellow spotted Eleanor Roosevelt, both of which were developed in the Miami area. Aubry Christian, a hybridizer who liked creating leaves modeled with combinations of pastels, named his plants after artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael.
Then there was Rudy Bachmann, another hybridizer who developed Mona Lisa. That Croton had a broad leaf and a huge cream-colored center. It was very popular about 20 years ago, but now only a few collectors have those plants, and who knows, they may be found in someone’s backyard somewhere. So, if you do find one of those, then definitely go ahead and propagate it.
Today, you can still find a lot of captivating Croton varieties to enjoy in your indoor garden, as you can see from this really pretty collection here. When you see a Croton, snap it up and add this lovely plant to your collection. Let me know in the comment section below if you have any other interesting Crotons; I would love to hear about them, as well as any other questions you may have.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Croton Plants
What are Croton plants?
Croton plants, scientifically known as Codiaeum variegatum, are members of the Euphorbiaceae family. They are native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and the western Pacific Ocean islands.
What makes Croton plants popular?
Crotons are popular due to their stunning variety of colors, forms, and leaf shapes. They have large, thick, leathery leaves, with some having corkscrew-like twists, offering amazing variation within the species.
How did Croton plants come to America?
The Croton plant was first introduced to America in the 1870s by the Henry A. Dreer Seed and Florist Company in Philadelphia. They quickly became popular in Florida, thriving in the warm, humid climate.
Who played a significant role in propagating Croton plants in Florida?
The Reasoner family of Bradenton and Palmetto helped pioneer the horticulture business in Florida in the late 1880s and played a significant role in propagating and selling Croton plants.
What historical significance do Croton plants have?
Croton plants were highly sought after in Florida during the 1920s and 30s, with entire nurseries dedicated to them by 1950. They were featured in horticultural catalogs published by the Reasoner family from 1883 to 1936.
What are some notable Croton hybrids?
Notable hybrids include Franklin Roosevelt, known for its colorful red, pink, and green leaves, and Eleanor Roosevelt, which features green and yellow spotted leaves. Other hybrids were named after artists, such as Michelangelo and Raphael.
Can I still find Croton varieties today?
Yes, there are still many captivating Croton varieties available for indoor gardening. If you come across a Croton, it’s a great addition to your collection!
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