Croton doesn’t like to be watered too much, so aim for damp soil rather than wet. Keep the soil moist, and don’t let it dry out during propagation.Crotons need dappled, indirect light and warm temperatures above 65 to grow (for more, see our essential guide to the best positions for Croton plants in your home).Spring and summer are the best times of year to propagate this plant since it’ll grow rapidly.When you have a strong set of roots coming out of the covered stem, trim it off under the roots and plant it in soil for a new Croton (see more on how to prune croton plants here). Leave the damp cover in place for four weeks or more, then remove and check for signs of rooting. Cover that with a layer of plastic wrap and secure it in place with loosely twisted floral wire. Next, wrap dampened sphagnum peat moss around the scratched area. You just want to see hints of the green layer below the brown bark. Use a sterilized and sharp utility knife to gently scrape the bark all the way around the stem without cutting too deeply. Start by marking a point about six inches down on a healthy stem. It’s a great way to shorten the height of a leggy Croton and get new plants out of the process. You only cut the stem section off once you see the roots, ensuring you have a good healthy cutting to start with for the next plant. Propagation by Air LayeringĪir layering forces the plant to produce roots on the stem while it’s still attached. Place the sections in fresh potting soil and water well to prevent shock. Simply lift the plant out of its pot and use a sharp trowel to divide the root ball into two to three equally sized sections. Still, you may decide to divide a Croton to make it look less crowded or to help split up stems that are competing for space. Large, mature Croton plants tend to become top heavy rather than crowded in terms of stems. Consider using a rooting hormone dip to increase the chances of success. Give the cutting at least four weeks to root before expecting it to show signs of new growth. Check the soil regularly and add water if needed. Tuck a plastic bag over the cutting and pot so that moisture is held around the cutting to encourage rooting. Let the cutting sit in a shaded, dry area for 24 hours before placing it in the damp soil. You only need between three and five inches of stem cutting to start the process. Soil, or rather a sterile potting mix, is the easiest way to get a Croton to propagate. Change the water weekly and watch for root development, at which point the cutting should be moved to soil. Place the stem in a container of fresh rainwater or distilled water so that the top two to three inches are above the water. Take a cutting of a healthy stem from the tip down and remove all of the foliage except for the top most two or three leaves. Stem cuttings must be a little longer than usual, at least six inches, to ensure some length remains above the water level for leaves to grow. Water works just fine for propagating most Croton varieties.
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