Question
After growing my croton for 10 years and seeing regular blossoms(?)  I noticed 3 seeds maturing on a lower branch. Is this normal for crotons?  Will the seeds be viable?  Will these seeds generate additional hermaphrodites (if indded this is what is happening) which could be used as seed factories?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You

Don Schrank

Answer
Hi Don,

Crotons are not hermaphrodites. They are monoecious, meaning that they have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. It is very unusual for seeds to develop when Crotons are indoors because there are no insects to act as pollinators. It is also unlikely that the seeds will be
viable because the chances are that your Croton is a hybrid. If the seeds do germinate, then the progeny may lose a lot of the color characteristics of the parent plant.

Nearly all Crotons on the market are propagated by stem cuttings, not seeds.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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