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How to Care for Croton

Codiaeum variegatum (Croton, Variegated Laurel, Garden Croton, Orange Jessamine) ; An outstanding colorful, multicolor and shapes of leaves textures. Ornamental plants. close up, natural sunlight.
Photo Credit
pisitpong2017/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Codiadeum variegatum
Plant Type
Houseplant
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Part Sun
Soil pH
Neutral
Bloom Time
Varies
Flower Color
White
Hardiness Zone
9
10
11

Growing Croton Plants: Watering, Lighting, Repotting, and Pests

Catherine Boeckmann
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The croton is a striking, easy-to-grow houseplant known for its variegated foliage of green, scarlet, orange, and yellow splotches. Here’s how to care for a croton in your home or garden.

About Croton

The croton, also called “garden croton,” is a stunning houseplant known for its vibrant foliage that brings a touch of the tropics indoors. Native to Southeast Asia and the Oceania, these evergreen shrubs boast leaves splashed with dramatic greens, yellows, oranges, and even reds. They come in a wide variety, with unique leaf shapes and color combinations. In the wild, they grow as large shrubs, reaching up to 10 feet tall (in the home or garden, they stay much smaller).

Beyond their captivating looks, crotons are generally easy to care for, making them ideal for both seasoned plant parents and enthusiastic beginners (see more great houseplants for beginners!). The key lies in mimicking their native tropical environment. They thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, mimicking the dappled light filtering through a rainforest canopy. Watering needs to be consistent, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Think of it as a light rain shower that drenches the earth without flooding it. Regular misting can be a welcome addition, especially in drier climates, as crotons appreciate a moderate level of humidity.

So, if you’re looking for a houseplant that adds a pop of color and a touch of the tropics, look no further than the croton. With its stunning foliage and relatively easy care requirements, this vibrant plant is sure to become a focal point in your home. With proper care, your croton can live for many years, bringing its unique beauty to your home!

Note: All parts of this plant are poisonous—especially the seeds—so it is not recommended for use in homes with curious pets or children. When damaged, croton produces a milky sap that can irritate the skin, too.

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Planting

Planting Croton

  • When choosing a container for your croton, keep in mind that the plant will grow upright, which eventually may cause it to become top-heavy. Pick a container that won’t easily tip over when the croton gets larger. Or, plan to pot up to larger pots over time.
  • Use a well-draining potting mix. Croton likes to be kept moist but not wet.
  • In areas with warm, humid summers, croton can be grown outdoors as a unique and colorful landscape plant. They work well in tropical-themed containers or alongside annuals in the ground. When nighttime temperatures drop to around 50°F (10°C), croton will need to be taken indoors.

Growing

How to Care for Croton

  • Place croton in a sunny location such as an eastern, southern, or western window. If croton is getting too little light, its newer leaves will be less colorful. 
  • Keep the soil evenly moist, but let it dry out between waterings.
  • If humidity is low in your home, mist around the leaves with water once a week or keep a tray of wet gravel near the plant.
  • Croton leaves are dust magnets. Gently wipe the leaves with a moist cloth twice a month to keep them clean and dust-free.
  • Fertilize the plant in spring and summer while the plant is actively growing. In fall and winter, fertilize more sparingly or refrain from fertilizing altogether.
  • New croton plants can be started with 4- to 6-inch stem cuttings. Remove the bottom leaves and place the cutting in a glass of water. After roots have formed, plant them in a small pot.
  • Repot the plant in the spring if it has grown too large for its current pot.
Croton 'Petra'. Photo by Karl Thomas Moore/Wikimedia Commons.
Croton ‘Petra’ (foreground). Photo by Karl Thomas Moore/Wikimedia Commons.
Varieties
  • ‘Petra’ is a popular cultivar. It has green leaves with red, orange, and yellow veins.
  • ‘Gold Star’ has green leaves that are splashed with bright gold “stars.”
  • ‘Eleanor Roosevelt’ has skinny leaves that range in color from burgundy to lime green. The leaves are mottled with bright yellow as if they were spray painted.
  • ‘Oakleaf’ has oak leaf–shaped dark green or bronze leaves with veins in yellow, orange, and red.
Gardening Products

Pests/Diseases

Croton plants are usually pest and disease-free, though they are susceptible to common houseplant pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects.

Wit and Wisdom

  • Croton are members of the Euphorbiaceae family of plants, which makes them relatives of the poinsettia and the cast iron plant.
Houseplant Guides
About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
 

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Comments

Angela Calhoun (not verified)

1 year 11 months ago

I have had my plant since September and then the leaves began to fall off. However, new leaves began to bud but soon dried out before they were able to come out completely. Please Help!

Hi Angela,

There are many factors that can affect your croton plant’s growth. They can be sensitive so it is really important to be consistent with your care. Improper watering can greatly impact your croton and cause it stress. Crotons thrive when supplied with the right amount of moisture. They should be watered only when the top half-inch to an inch of soil dries out. Too much or too little water can impact new growth. That is also why a well-draining medium is vital. They need bright, indirect light (but will do well with a few hours of direct Sun). They require warm temperatures and do not like temperature fluctuations, and need moderate to high humidity. While not heavy feeders, they do require some fertilization to provide the necessary nutrients for continued growth.

Rita Lewis (not verified)

2 years 2 months ago

was wondering how big a pot to put my pretty croton in......the pot i bought it in is very small....i love this plant.....need more

In general, a new pot should provide 2-3 inches of space for new soil between the rootball and the side of the pot, on all sides of the rootball. 

Julie (not verified)

2 years 4 months ago

Leaves keep dropping which look healthy and 1 of the stems has nodules of sap. What is the sap?
Thank you

Renee (not verified)

2 years 9 months ago

I believe I have a croton plant. I'm wondering what the tiny spike like things are. A few of them look like new leaves growing at the tip of them. Hope I can get this figured out. Thank you.

Loretta Santos (not verified)

2 years 10 months ago

Should I replant my croton in potting soil or tropical potting soil?? It's about a foot long

Debbie Berner Borg (not verified)

2 years 10 months ago

I have some crotons in my back yard I planted about 4 years ago. The nursery called them sloppy painter crotons; from the description above, I think they might be Eleanore Roosevelt. They have a thin green leaf and uneven yellow spots like paint splotches. I recently noticed some of the tops have a bumpy dark area (sort of moldy looking). Could anyone tell me what that might be and how should I treat it? I love these in my garden and would like them to last. My first thought is to treat them with Neem Oil

Kathleen (not verified)

3 years 1 month ago

I have my croton in a southern window and turn it regularly and water it when the leaves droop. It did well for about a year but now the bottom leaves are turning brown and dry. Should I remove the leaves? I love the plant and want to do all I can to help it thrive.