About
Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum 'Petra' is a perennial shrub characterized by its thick, textured foliage. The leaves display a mix of green, reddish-pink, and yellow hues, often featuring prominent veins.
About the genus
Codiaeum consists of evergreen shrubs, trees, and perennials characterized by their broad, tough leaves that frequently exhibit variegation. In the summer months, clusters of small, star-like flowers, which can be white or yellow, may bloom.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
- Toxicity
- May cause stomach upset if ingested. Sap may cause skin irritation. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in good light but shaded from hot sun, with high humidity. See Codiaeum for futher advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 9. Cut back leggy plants to about 10cm and dust wounds with powdered charcoal to reduce bleeding
- Propagation
- Propagate by air layering in spring, or root softwood cuttings with bottom heat in summer, after dipping the cut ends in powdered charcoal to reduce bleeding
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects and glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free