Chinese Croton

Excoecaria cochinchinensis

Family: EuphorbiaceaeNative: Southeast Asia and China

A tropical evergreen shrub known for its striking bicolored leaves: glossy bright green on top and deep maroon or crimson red underneath.

Light: Partial shade or indirect bright light; harsh direct sun can scorch the leaves, while too little light fades the red undersides.
Water: Requires regular watering to keep the soil moist; it is not drought-tolerant. Wilting is a sign of underwatering.
Growth: Evergreen perennial shrub, typically reaching 3 to 6 feet in height and spreading 3 to 4 feet wide. Growth rate is moderate.

Care instructions

Thrives in warm, humid conditions with filtered light. Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained. Fertilize lightly during the growing season.

Partial shade or indirect bright light; harsh direct sun can scorch the leaves, while too little light fades the red undersides.

Requires regular watering to keep the soil moist; it is not drought-tolerant. Wilting is a sign of underwatering.

Rich, loamy, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-7.0).

USDA Zones 10-11; sensitive to frost and cool temperatures below 50°F (10°C).

Evergreen perennial shrub, typically reaching 3 to 6 feet in height and spreading 3 to 4 feet wide. Growth rate is moderate.

Produces small, inconspicuous greenish flowers on tiny spikes, usually in late spring or summer; not prized for its bloom.

Propagated via softwood stem cuttings in spring or summer, ideally using a rooting hormone and high humidity.

Susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. Overwatering can lead to root rot.

Often confused with other Crotons (Codiaeum variegatum), but distinguishable by its specific two-toned green/red leaf structure and narrower leaves.

Also known as 'Blindness Tree' because the acrid milky sap can cause temporary blindness if it gets into the eyes.