Nimbu Croton Sapling  (Codiaeum variegatum 'Petra')

Description

The Nimbu Croton is native to South-east Asia and the Pacific Islands. This lovely tropical plant features brilliant lemony-yellow edges on all its younger leaves. Its name, Nimbu, refers to the lemony bright hue of this croton. While you may also find this plant being referred to as the yellow croton or lemon croton in Indian plant nurseries, Nimbu Croton is far more common online.

Its slick glossy leaves of yellow, green, white, lime and cream will steal your heart. Every leaf on a Nimbu croton has its own design, like a piece of work of art hand-painted across its surface. A bright sunny position near a window will turn yellow tones vibrant in color. It can be used for a bright corner in the balcony or on a window sill or within an arrangement of varied plants.

Give it bright but indirect light- insufficient light would lead to the leaves turning green and losing its yellow colour. Nimbu Croton are perfect indoor plants for living rooms, studies, hallways and conservatories and on covered balconies. Nimbu Croton have a stable rate of growth, which makes them easy to manage and usually don't need repotting often. If they are grown with care and proper light, novice plant keepers can benefit by growing them.

Key Features

• Variegated green & yellow lemon coloured leaves that impart its Nimbu identity 
• Bold leathery, lustrous leaves with every leaves unique leaf coloring pattern
• Prefers brighter location indoor space , Covered balconies and Partially shaded outdoors in mild climates 
• Medium grower - develops well over a year without being an aggressive grower & need very little maintenance 
• Serves as a great ornamental foliage plant for indoor home and office if kept where it gets proper light
• Tropical plant that thrives in the Indian climate condition, warm and Humid conditions are welcome
• This long-lived plant will serve as a lasting present to housewarmings, birthdays and festive occasions.

Care at a Glance

Product Specifications

What's in the Box

• 1 × Live Nimbu Croton sapling (healthy, rooted plant)
• 1 × Pot (Bare-rooted )
• Basic care instruction card

Important Notes

• Natural color variability Every Nimbu Croton is slightly different from the next. No two leaves will have the same pattern or color. This is perfectly normal.
• Colour in dependence of the light: The yellow color of the leaves is most intensive in strong light. If the plant is placed in a location with less light after receipt some temporary color fading and leaf greenish is to be expected and can recover through brighter places.
• Transit stress: Live plants tend to suffer some leaf loss and or wilting in transit because of packaging and lack of light. This will be short lived. Place your plant into indirect light, water only slightly and let her settle for a few days
• Temperature changes: This tropical native will droop dramatically if temperatures drop even slightly. Move to a warmer area (out of drafts or open window on a cool night) before any temperature dips.
• Toxicity: Codiaeum variegatum is moderately toxic if taken internally, and both people and pets. Always keep away from little hands and paws. There are some people who will have a slight rash when coming into contact with sap in trees or plants. 
• Season changes: The growth may stop some as the weather cools in the summer, simply use less water when watering your plant, don't use fertilizer

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the light requirements of Nimbu Croton indoors?

A: Nimbu Crotons love bright indirect light in order to maintain their distinctive yellow leaves. Try a spot near an east or west window for a couple hours of gentle light per day. This plant cannot be put in the shade, since you won’t see much yellow color in the leaves anymore. Strong afternoon sun through glass should also be avoided, especially from a south window-use a thin veil to reduce it.

Q: Why is my Nimbu Croton turning green?

A: Leaves turning green are usually a signal that the plant isn't receiving adequate light. Crotons develop their richest yellows and variegated colors when provided with plenty of bright light. Move the plant into a stronger light spot slowly over a period of a week or two - a month, you should start to see the new leaves developing strong colors. Some color loss on an arrived plant is also normal as it adjusts to a new environment.

Q: How many times should I water the Nimbu Croton plant?

A: Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out completely prior to watering. Don't water on a schedule - depending on the season, size of your pot, and sunlight it receives. When it gets warmer your soil may dry up quicker, requiring you to water every 3-4 days. In colder months water less often and be sure to not over-water your soil leading to water logged roots. Make sure you have a drainage hole in your pot!

Q: Can Nimbu Croton be kept as pets and in children?

A: Yes, the plant can be kept out of reach of children and pets as the plant is toxic. Codiaeum variegatum, also known as Croton, can be mildly toxic to cats and dogs, causing gastrointestinal distress if ingested in significant quantities. Small children can suffer with an upset stomach or vomiting as a result of a part of the plant entering their mouth, it will also irritate some with mild dermatitis on contact.

Q: When do I need to re-pot the Nimbu Croton plant sapling? 

A: This is shipped as a 3-inch sapling so you may be inclined to repot into a slightly larger 5-6 inch pot for its first 6-12 months after it settles in. Look for signs like roots appearing through the drainage hole, the pot draining too quickly after watering or the plant becoming quite large in its pot. Ensure you are using a good well-draining pot with some coarser bits like perlite to help with drainage. Do not go too big too quickly.

Q: Is it possible to grow Nimbu Croton on a balcony in India? 

A: Yes, Nimbu Croton can be kept comfortably on a covered or semi-shaded balcony in most of the Indian regions as the climate would generally be warm & ideal for this tropical plant. You can allow some morning rays of sunlight for a couple of hours to the plant, but do not expose to direct midday/afternoon sun during summer. In hill stations or areas with cool winters, bring inside or to a suitable covered area whenever the temperature falls below 15° Celsius.