Common Name: Croton

Scientific Name: Codiaeum variegatum

Type of Plant: Tropical

Description: Crotons are the most popular of Florida’s colorful foliage plants, with brilliantly-colored leaves shot with gold, red, orange, green and even pink. They feature many leaf types and sizes – swirly, narrow ribbons to wide, flat leaves.

Mature Size: 3-5′ tall x 3-5′ wide

Blooms: No

Fruit:  No

Climate Requirements: You can plant in almost any light – full sun to partial shade – with some types of this plant, like the classic Petra, preferring a bit more shade. Many (such as Mammy croton) attain their brightest coloring in full sun. Moderately salt-tolerant. In cooler areas, the plants may defoliate in colder winters, so place in an area protected from wind. You may also want to cover the plants if frost is predicted.

Care Requirements: Trimming is only needed occasionally to keep the plant’s size in check. As with all foliage shrubs, always trim stems – don’t cut across leaves. Fertilize 3 times a year – once each in spring, summer and autumn with a quality granular fertilizer.

Spacing: Space plants 24-36″ apart

Water Needs: Make sure the area is well-drained…crotons will not put up with “wet feet.” This shrub is moderately drought-tolerant once established, though it does best with regular irrigation schedule that gives it time to dry out between waterings.

Maintenance: Low

Special Uses/Attributes: Different varieties can be planted together for a riot of color and a mix of textures, or place several of the same variety to grow together in a “drift.” These gorgeous shrubs can jazz up an all-green landscape or work well with flowering shrubs or other plants prized for their bright foliage like the Ti plant (cordyline ‘Red Sister’). A benefit of mixing crotons with flowering shrubs is the consistency of color in the landscape, even while other plants are not in bloom. These plants contain toxins, and are considered to be resistant to damage from deer (though we make no guarantees).

Florida Native: No