Propagation in Soil

• 1). Prune a branch from the croton that is approximately 6 to 8 inches in length. Snip a branch off the mother plant at a leaf terminal, making a slanted cut. Crotons root the quickest when temperatures are 70 degrees Fahrenheit and above.
  
  
• 2). Fill a 1-gallon container that has drain holes with a mixture of 50 percent sphagnum peat moss and 50 percent perlite. This mixture is lightweight and allows air to reach the croton cutting, which helps in root development.
  
  
• 3). Trim all the bottom leaves off the cutting, allowing only the top two or three to remain. The cutting will then put all its energy into developing new roots instead of forming new leaves, cutting down on propagation time.
  
  
• 4). Pour approximately 1 tbsp. of rooting hormone onto a paper towel or paper plate. Dip the end of the croton cutting into the rooting hormone and shake off the excess. Dipping the croton cutting directly into the hormone container can contaminate it with bacteria and diseases and transmit it to future cuttings.
  
  
• 5). Stick the croton cutting into the potting mix, pushing it into the soil to a depth of approximately 3 inches. Roots will develop from the pruned leaf terminal sections of the cutting buried in the soil.
  
  
• 6). Water the container until it runs from the drain holes. Keep the soil moist, but not saturated, while the cutting develops roots. Cuttings propagated during warm weather will develop roots in approximately two weeks, whereas cuttings propagated during cooler weather will take approximately one month to develop roots.
  
  
• 7). Place the container in a partially shady area while the cutting develops roots.
  
  
• 8). Transplant into the garden in approximately three months, after the croton has established itself and has a well-developed root system.
  
  

Propagation in Water

• 1). Prune a 6- to 8-inch cutting from the croton and trim off all the leaves except the top two or three, as you would if propagating in soil.
  
  
• 2). Fill a dark glass container with water. Use a container that is tall enough to house the croton cutting and not fall over.
  
  
• 3). Place the croton cutting into the glass container and situate in partial shade. The cutting should start developing roots in approximately two weeks if temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
  
• 4). Replenish the container with fresh water as needed. Pour stagnant water out of the glass container and replace with fresh.
  
  
• 5). Transplant into a container filled with well-drained soil once the cutting has developed enough roots, in approximately one month.