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Picasso's Paintbrush

Reviewed by: Kiersten Rankel | Last Updated: 12/19/2022

About Picasso's Paintbrush

This plant is one of the many stunning cultivars of Codiaeum variegatum, which is native to the Pacific Islands where it can grow to over 10ft/3m tall! All parts of this plant are toxic, so keep them well out of reach of pets and children.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Codiaeum variegatum 'Picasso's Paintbrush'

Genus

Codiaeum

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Order

Malpighiales

How to care for Picasso's Paintbrush

💦 Water

How often to water your Picasso's Paintbrush

Picasso's Paintbrush needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Picasso's Paintbrush in your home

Picasso's Paintbrush love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Picasso's Paintbrush does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Picasso's Paintbrush in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Picasso's Paintbrush

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Picasso's Paintbrush: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Picasso's Paintbrush after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

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💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Picasso's Paintbrush prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Picasso's Paintbrush Water Frequency →

Picasso's Paintbrush Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Picasso's Paintbrush requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Picasso's Paintbrush Light Requirements →

Picasso's Paintbrush Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

Picasso's Paintbrush Toxicity to Cats →

Picasso's Paintbrush Toxicity to Dogs →

Picasso's Paintbrush Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Picasso's Paintbrush doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.

Picasso's Paintbrush Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Picasso's Paintbrush does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Picasso's Paintbrush →

When and How to Successfully Repot Picasso's Paintbrush →

💩 Fertilizer

Picasso's Paintbrush should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Picasso's Paintbrush →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Picasso's Paintbrush to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Picasso's Paintbrush is native to Southeast Asia, Northern Australia and the Pacific Islands.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.