Identify Mystery HousePlants

Hi there, I’ve just relocated to Northern Thailand and have inherited some mystery plants. Was hoping you could help me ID them so I can have a go at propagating them.

 

Hi Chris,

This first plant is a Gold Dust Croton. Crotons are very poisonous so please keep it away from small children and pets. These plants like bright indirect sun. Allow the top 25%-30% of the soil to dry out before watering. Crunchy leaves indicate over-watering. Leaves become soft and droop when your plant needs water. When a croton is severely over or under-watered leaves drop off. Stem cuttings and air layering are the best ways to propagate a croton plant. You can red about both of these propagation techniques in the Glossary of the website.

You can read all my care tips for a croton plant in the Popular Houseplant section of the website.

https://www.houseplant411.com/houseplant/croton-plant-how-to-grow-care-guide

Yellow and green Croton Gold Dust

This houseplant looks like a type of Calathea “crocata. ”

Calathea plants also like bright indirect light but no direct sun. Calatheas are very sensitive to the water you use. Hard water, soft water, fluoridated water, or water of poor quality causes the leaves to turn brown from leaf burn. The best way to water is to use distilled water, rain water, or allow your tap water to sit out over night before using it. Keep the soil moist but never soggy. Allow the top 2-3” to dry out before watering. Never let a Calathea plant sit in water. Calathea plants are propagated by plant division, dividing the root ball. You can read all my care instructions for growing a Calathea in the Popular Houseplant section of the website also.