Croton

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) earns its place on leaf colour alone. It reaches about 2m tall and 1.2m wide, carrying thick glossy leaves marbled in green, gold, orange, scarlet and almost black, and that colour holds all year rather than arriving for a brief flowering season. It is frost tender, so tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens can plant it out, while cooler districts grow it in a pot.

Why you'll love it

• Colour that never takes a break. The display comes from the foliage, not flowers, so a croton looks the same in July as it does in January.
• Light controls the intensity. In full sun to bright filtered light the reds and oranges deepen. In deep shade it survives but drifts back towards plain green.
• Indoors or outdoors. The same plant works in a bright living room, on a balcony or in a garden bed.
• Built for heat and salt air. Heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and salt tolerant, so it suits coastal gardens and hot inland courtyards.
• Small enough to place anywhere. A 1.2m spread and a 2m ceiling means it fits beside a path or a pool.

Where it works best

Pots, balconies and courtyards. One croton in a 400mm pot gives a small space more colour than a bed of annuals, and it can be moved under cover if a cold snap is forecast.

A low colourful hedge. Plant 80cm apart in a single row for an informal hedge at knee to waist height, and tip prune two or three times through the warm months to keep it thick.

Indoors. Give it the brightest position in the room, ideally near a north or east facing window. Lower leaves drop when the light is too low.

Growing Croton in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to bright filtered light, in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It is frost tender, so in cool temperate and frosty inland districts keep it in a container that can move under cover for winter.

Soil. Free draining and enriched with compost. Crotons dislike sitting wet in cold soil more than anything else. Mulch about 50mm deep, kept clear of the stem.

Water and feed. Water when the top few centimetres dry out, more often in pots and through summer. A controlled release fertiliser in early spring and midsummer keeps new leaves large and well marked.

Pruning. Tip prune from the start to build a bushy shape. If a plant goes leggy, cut it back hard in spring: it reshoots readily from old wood.

One caution. Cut stems bleed a milky sap that irritates skin and is toxic if chewed. Wear gloves when pruning, and choose something else if you have pets or small children who chew plants.

What to expect when it arrives

Crotons are supplied in tube, 140mm, 180mm, 200mm and 300mm sizes, with the smaller sizes sold in packs, so a low hedge works out well per plant. Young stock often looks greener than the photograph. That is normal, because the strong colours develop as the plant matures and gets more light.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect a fortnight of settling in, then fresh growth within four to six weeks in warm weather. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full indoor plant range
• Compare tropical foliage plants
• Design ideas for courtyards and balconies

Common questions

Why is my croton losing its colour?

Almost always light. Leaf pigments need strong light to develop, so a plant in a dim corner or under a dense canopy fades to green. Move it somewhere brighter and the new growth comes back marked.

Can I grow one in Melbourne, Adelaide or Canberra?

Yes, in a pot. Croton is frost tender, so keep it on a sheltered patio through summer and bring it into a bright room over winter rather than planting it out.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. The sap is an irritant and the plant is toxic if eaten, so it is not one for households where pets chew foliage.