Croton Piecrust Mortimer Live Tropical Plant Heirloom Multi-Color Vareigated Leaves Starter Size

Piecrust is an old heirloom croton popular along the East Coast of Florida in the 1960s and 1970s. It seems to have been recently rediscovered but is still somewhat elusive and difficult to find. It is also known as Mortimer Croton and Undalatum.

The common name 'Piecrust' comes from the crimped, ruffled, undulating edges of the long, narrow, pointed leaves, as they resemble the pinched-up ruffled edge of a pie crust. Its' primary color is very dark, maroon red, but leaves go through stages of green, yellow, and bronze orange, dappled with other colors before maturing as a deep, purplish maroon that is almost black in low light.

The best location for Piecrust Crotons within their recommended Tropical growing Zones is an east-facing exposure that gets the full spectrum of cool morning light but is lightly shaded from the direct hot tropical sun in the afternoon. It can adapt to grow in full sun but tends to burn when conditions are very hot and low humidity. They can grow large over time when planted outdoors and reach a mature height of 6 to 8 feet but are easily maintained at 2.5 to 3 feet. They can be grown as potted plants indefinitely and are a great choice for porch and patio applications. Crotons are frequently grown as house plants but require a warm, humid, and well-lit environment.