{"product_id":"excoecaria-bicolor-variegated-5-pot","title":"Excoecaria Bicolor Variegated - 5\" Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003eExcoecaria cochinchinensis, popularly sold as Excoecaria Bicolor Variegated and known as the Chinese Croton or Blindness Tree, is a small evergreen shrub from the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Its chief attraction is the two-toned foliage: each narrow, finely toothed leaf is deep green on the upper surface and a vivid maroon-to-purple on the underside, giving the plant a shimmering bicoloured effect when the leaves move in the breeze.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Indian conditions it thrives as a low hedge, border plant, or container specimen, staying neat at around 0.6 to 1.2 m with regular trimming. It enjoys the warm, humid climate of most of India and holds its colour best in bright light with a little afternoon shade. Like other members of its family, the plant exudes a milky latex when cut, so it should be handled with care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEuphorbiaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoutheast Asia (China, Indo-China, Malesia)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.6-1.2 m (up to 1.5 m if unpruned)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.6-1 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen; lance-shaped, finely toothed leaves, glossy green above and deep maroon-purple beneath\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall, inconspicuous yellowish-green\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSporadic; mainly warm months\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical and subtropical; suits most of India\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright light with morning sun and light afternoon shade; tolerates partial shade. Strong colour develops in good light.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKeep soil evenly moist; water when the top 2-3 cm feels dry. Avoid waterlogging. Reduce in winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWell-drained, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter; pH slightly acidic to neutral.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBest at 18-32 C. Protect from cold below 10 C and from frost.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrefers moderate to high humidity; thrives in India's monsoon and coastal humidity.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeed monthly through the growing season (Mar-Oct) with a balanced NPK or organic feed for foliage plants.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrim regularly to keep compact and bushy; can be shaped as a low hedge. Wear gloves due to milky sap.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRepot container plants every 1-2 years in spring, or top-dress when roots fill the pot.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasily propagated from semi-hardwood stem cuttings in warm, humid conditions.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally hardy; watch for mealybugs, scale, and occasional spider mites in dry conditions.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eToxic. All parts contain an irritant milky latex; sap can irritate skin and eyes and is harmful if ingested. Keep away from children and pets.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;A versatile ornamental foliage plant for Indian gardens and interiors:\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;ul\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Low informal hedge, border, or edging plant in landscapes\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Colour accent in mixed beds and foliage groupings\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Container and patio plant for balconies and entrances\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Bright indoor accent near a well-lit window\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;\/ul\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Plant or repot at the start of the warm season (Feb-Mar) so the shrub establishes before summer. Provide bright light but shield from harsh afternoon sun in peak summer to prevent leaf scorch.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;During the monsoon, ensure drainage is sharp to avoid root rot, and ease off feeding. Trim lightly after the rains to maintain a dense, well-coloured canopy. In North India, move container plants to a sheltered spot or indoors during cold winter spells, as the plant dislikes temperatures below 10 C.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs Excoecaria Bicolor toxic to pets and children?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. It belongs to the spurge family and exudes a milky latex that can irritate skin and eyes and is harmful if swallowed. Keep it away from children and pets, and wear gloves when pruning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow Excoecaria Bicolor indoors in India?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, it grows well indoors near a bright window. It keeps its rich leaf colour best in good light, so give it the brightest spot available and avoid deep shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I keep the leaves colourful and the plant bushy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow it in bright light with a little shade, feed monthly in the growing season, and prune regularly. Good light and light afternoon shade bring out the strongest green-and-maroon contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256119623926,"sku":"PLT-EXCOECARIABI-P05-NA","price":199.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-plants-excoecaria-bicolor-variegated-chinese-croton-plant-16968852439180.jpg?v=1783921443","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/excoecaria-bicolor-variegated-5-pot","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}