Codiaeum variegatum 'Ram's Horn' (Ram's Horn Croton)

  • TropPlant Accession Number (TPAN): 0035
  • Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum 'Ram's Horn'
  • Common Name: Ram's Horn Croton
  • Cultivar: 'Ram's Horn'
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
  • Native To: Malaysia and Western Pacific Islands
Codiaeum variegatum 'Ram's Horn'
Photo by Matthew Gaston

Landscaping Information

  • Plant Type: Tree, Shrub 
  • Texture: Soft, Medium
  • Form: Upright-broad to Obovoid
  • Height (on average, in landscape use): 4' - 25'
  • Height to Spread Ratio: 2:1
  • Growth Rate: Medium
  • Landscape Values: Accent, Background, Border, Color, Edging, Facer, Filler, Foundation, Hedge, Indoor, Lanai, Patio, Screen, Space Division, Specimen
  • Outstanding Quality: Foliage Color, Foliage Characters
Codiaeum variegatum 'Ram's Horn'
Photo by Matthew Gaston


Botanical Descriptions

  • Flowers: Small, 0.25" long white to cream flowers on a 3-15" inflorescence. 
  • Fruits: Small 0.25", blue to black, non-edible.
  • Foliage Color: Young/immature: light green. Mature: Bright medium green to yellow-green to bronze to red, variegated. 
  • Foliage Tip: Acute
  • Foliage Base: Acute
  • Petiole: 0.5"-0.75" 
  • Stipules: N/A
  • Margins: Smooth
  • Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
  • Leaf Shape: recurved obovate
  • Leaf Type: Simple
  • Leaf Texture: Leathery, thick, waxy, smooth
  • Leaf Special Notes: Recurved, multicolored, thick leathery leaves are noteworthy. This cultivar is not to be confused with a diseased plant. 
Codiaeum variegatum 'Ram's Horn' leaf
Photo by Matthew Gaston

  • Bark and Trunk: Smooth light sienna colored bark. 
Codiaeum variegatum 'Ram's Horn' 
Photo by Matthew Gaston

Horticultural Information

  • Light Preference: Semi-Sun, Full Sun.
  • Light Tolerances: Shade
  • Soil Preferences: Acidic, Moist
  • Tolerances: Moderate Winds, Humidity, Regular Watering.
  • Water Requirements: Requires well watered soils, especially if growing in full sun.
  • Notes on Maintenance: Generally Pest free. All parts of the plant are toxic
  • Propagation: Easy to propagate woody Cutting, Layer
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 10a
  • Weed Risk Assessment Score (WRA): -4, Low Risk

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