Plant Bio
Croton Mammy Plant Care Tips
Size & Growth
Mami Crotons stand about 42” inches tall, making one of the smallest cultivars in the Codiaeum genus.
Typically, the plant has a spread of about 2’ feet.
Mammy has very distinctive shiny, leathery, large, thick leaves.
Individual leaves are about 8” inches long and an inch wide with an upright, twisting, curling, corkscrew growth habit.
The green leaves display a wide variety of bright colors such as yellow, pink, shades of red orange.
Colors are most intense if you grow croton plants outdoors in full sun.
Watch out for sun scorch.
If your plant seems to be suffering from too much sun, move it to an area with afternoon shade.
Flowering & Fragrance
Mamey crotons as with all crotons produces small, insignificant blooms during its growing season.
Light & Temperature
Mammy does well in partial shade to full sun. For the best leaf color, some direct sun and bright light are essential.
An excessive amount of shade causes the leaves to drop on the lower portions of the plant.
When kept as a houseplant, a southern or western window is preferred for the most abundant light.
Be sure to provide some protection from the direct rays of the sun magnified through the glass as too much sun can cause leaf scorch.
Protect your Croton plant from temperature extremes. This plant is not frost resistant.
Excessive heat and sun can cause leaf scorch, and a sudden cold snap will cause leaf loss or death.
Croton Mammey is easy to grow indoors or outdoors in a warm, tropical setting.
This plant is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 11 through 12.
Water Needs & Feeding
As tropical plants, Croton Mammy prefers a high humidity setting so don’t allow the plant to dry out.
Growing as a houseplant, set the pot on a pebble tray filled with water to improve humidity levels immediately around the plant.
The ideal humidity level is between 40% and 80%.
Regular watering is essential, do not overwater.
The soil should be kept moist, never soggy.
Water Mammy Croton regularly and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
If you notice the leaves browning along the edges, you’re using too much water. Cut back on watering.
Related: Watering Croton Plants
This tropical plant does not go into dormancy, but it does experience a natural resting period during the colder months.
During this time, reduce watering and avoid fertilizing.
Fertilize seasonally in the spring, summer and in autumn. Do not fertilize in the winter.
Use a good quality granular fertilizer or a liquid fertilizer.
Soil & Transplanting
A Croton plant does well in the soil of any pH level but must have well-draining soil with plenty of humus to maintain the right amount of moisture around the roots.