Croton 'Mammy'

Crotons are one of the standard landscape plants in SW FL. Mammy stands out (my opinion) from most because of the vibrant color and unus...Read Moreual foliage. They are suseptable to mealy.

We grow ours indoors because of extremes in summer/winter. A year ago, the new leaves grew long, thin, and very twisted (corkscrew-like)...Read More. This year the newer set of leaves are oval and kind of flat. Leaves deepen in red color as the leaves age.

I planted mine in September outdoors, in ground, in part sun with cacti and succulents. As of the end of December it has all its leaves,l...Read Moreooks fine and has taken countless 50 degrees high and 41 low temperatures.Also, Including a pair of 37 degree dips at dawn.
I dont know how long they will do well. They are said like all tropical crotons to not be able to handle my San Francisco bay area temperatures-winter or cool night summers.
One thing that seems to suit them is a sheltered spot,not full sun as in tropical climates, and planting in fast draining soil on a slightly raised mound. So far, so good.
ADDED 2014:..yeah,that one lasted "countless" all right. I think it was dead sticks by January.
A new try this year with the common Croton with paddle leafs. I will let you know how that goes..

I tried Mammy again. A plant bought after we had the coldest night of the year 2015 from a nursery that kept it outside. I had to buy THAT one! It never dropped a leaf,taking 30f and in summer has replaced all old leafs with newer- but smaller SF bay area leafs.
Now,to see if it can do as well a second winter outdoors.

E. 'Mamey' has knock your sox off colors to adorn any yard in central and south Florida. It is becoming more available every day. I pur...Read Morechased mine at a farmer's market. It is 4 ft tall and very thick. I will plant it in a protected area because frost could cause it to drop some leaves.

Some sources list this plant as E. 'Mammy.'