Croton Codiaeum variegatum
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Euphorbiaceae family, native to Malaysia, Indonesia, Pacific islands and northern Australia. It grows 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) tall and 80 cm–2 m (31 in–6.6 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Croton in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Croton at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Mature height | 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–2 m (31 in–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–104 weeks after planting, for 4–13 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Malaysia, Indonesia, Pacific islands and northern Australia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Croton toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: sap, leaves, seeds
Irritant latex causes skin and mouth irritation, and swallowing leaves or seeds causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Croton
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Croton in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (16 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (4 plants)
- Thai tropical garden (14 plants)
Questions about Croton
- How far apart should I plant Croton?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–2 m (31 in–6.6 ft).
- Does Croton need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Croton need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Croton?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Croton flower?
- About 52–104 weeks after planting, for 4–13 weeks.
- Is Croton poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Irritant latex causes skin and mouth irritation, and swallowing leaves or seeds causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
- What grows well with Croton?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Croton. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Grown for colourful foliage (yellow, orange, red, bronze); the foliage colour shown is an average of the green and gold forms.
- Damaged by temperatures below about 10 C. Typical garden-form values; cultivars differ widely.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Cassava Manihot esculenta
- Crown of thorns Euphorbia milii
- Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima
- Pará rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis
- Mediterranean spurge Euphorbia characias
- Candlenut (kukui) Aleurites moluccanus
- Candelabra tree (naboom) Euphorbia ingens
- Griffith’s spurge Euphorbia griffithii