Croton plants, scientifically classified under the genus Codiaeum in the Euphorbiaceae family, are tropical evergreens closely related to plants like poinsettias and castor beans. The name “Croton” derives from the Greek word “kroton,” meaning tick, possibly referring to the shape of their seeds.
Commonly known as garden croton, variegated laurel, or rushfoil, these names reflect their vibrant, multicolored foliage and lush appearance, making them a standout in ornamental horticulture.
Croton plants were first documented by European botanists in the 17th and 18th centuries during explorations of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, where they were valued by indigenous communities for their decorative leaves and occasional medicinal uses.
Their introduction to Western horticulture began in the 19th century, with their popularity soaring in the 20th century as houseplants and garden shrubs due to their vivid colors and adaptability. Today, they remain a favorite among plant enthusiasts, boosted by social media showcasing their tropical allure.
Native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Islands like New Guinea and Australia, Croton plants thrive in warm, humid environments such as rainforests and coastal areas.
They grow as shrubs or small trees in their natural habitat, often in partial shade with rich, well-draining soil. This tropical origin informs their need for high humidity, warm temperatures (60–85°F), and indirect light when cultivated indoors or in non-tropical climates.
Croton plants are characterized by their leathery, glossy leaves, which vary widely in shape (oval, lance-shaped, lobed, or curly) and display vibrant colors like green, yellow, red, orange, pink, or purple, often in variegated patterns.
They typically grow 2–8 feet tall indoors or taller in outdoor settings, with woody stems and a bushy or upright habit. While they can produce small, inconspicuous flowers, their foliage is the primary attraction, with sap that is toxic and may irritate skin.
Croton plants are primarily grown as ornamental houseplants or garden shrubs, valued for their bold, colorful foliage that adds a tropical flair to homes, offices, or landscapes. They are used in interior design for their vibrant, sculptural leaves, ideal for pots, mixed planters, or as focal points in tropical gardens.
In their native regions, some communities use the leaves for traditional remedies or dyes, though their toxicity requires caution. Their air-purifying qualities and low-maintenance care (with proper light and humidity) make them popular for enhancing indoor aesthetics.
Croton Plants
Petra Croton
The Petra Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’) features large, oval leaves with vibrant green, yellow, red, and orange mottling, growing 3–5 feet tall indoors. It thrives in bright, indirect light, high humidity, and moist, well-draining soil, needing regular watering but not soggy conditions. Its bold, multicolored foliage makes it a classic, eye-catching choice for living rooms or patios.
Gold Dust Croton
The Gold Dust Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Aureo-maculatum’) has dark green, leathery leaves speckled with bright yellow spots, resembling a starry sky, growing 3–6 feet tall. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, tolerating partial shade but needing humidity to maintain vibrancy. Its sparkling, dotted foliage adds a cheerful, tropical touch to indoor or outdoor spaces.
Mammy Croton
The Mammy Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mammy’) boasts twisted, curly leaves in red, green, yellow, and purple hues, growing 2–4 feet tall. It thrives in bright, indirect light or partial shade, high humidity, and well-draining soil, requiring consistent moisture. Its vibrant, sculptural foliage makes it a popular, dramatic addition to indoor collections or tropical gardens.
Zanzibar Croton
The Zanzibar Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Zanzibar’) features long, narrow, grass-like leaves in green, red, purple, orange, and yellow, growing 3–4 feet tall. It needs bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, with moderate watering. Its arching, multicolored foliage adds an exotic, ornamental grass-like texture to modern interiors or gardens.
Eleanor Roosevelt Croton
The Eleanor Roosevelt Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Eleanor Roosevelt’), also called Sloppy Painter, has slender, green to purple leaves with yellow splotches, growing 4–6 feet tall. It requires at least four hours of bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil. Its unique, painterly foliage brings a vibrant, artistic flair to indoor or outdoor settings.
Banana Croton
The Banana Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Banana’) features lance-shaped, green leaves with bright yellow patches, growing 1–2 feet tall, ideal for small spaces. It thrives in bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, with moderate watering to avoid root rot. Its compact, banana-like foliage adds a playful, colorful accent to tabletops or balconies.
Mother and Daughter Croton
The Mother and Daughter Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mother and Daughter’) has long, narrow leaves with a small leaflet at the tip, in green to purple with yellow or ivory splashes, growing 2–4 feet tall. It prefers dappled sunlight, high humidity, and well-draining soil. Its unique, exotic leaf structure makes it a conversation piece for indoor decor.
Oakleaf Croton
The Oakleaf Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Oakleaf’) features tri-lobed, oak-like leaves in green, red, orange, and yellow, growing 3–6 feet tall. It thrives in bright, indirect light or partial shade, high humidity, and well-draining soil, disliking overwatering. Its distinctive, lobed foliage adds texture and bold color to indoor spaces or tropical landscapes.
Mrs. Iceton Croton
The Mrs. Iceton Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mrs. Iceton’) has broad, oval leaves transitioning from green and yellow to red, pink, and orange, growing 3–8 feet tall. It needs bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, with regular misting. Its heavily variegated, fiery foliage makes it a stunning focal point for homes or gardens.
Bush on Fire Croton
The Bush on Fire Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Bush on Fire’) features leathery leaves in pink, green, red, orange, and yellow, growing 3–6 feet tall. It thrives in bright, indirect light or partial shade, high humidity, and moist, well-draining soil. Its vibrant, fiery foliage creates a bold, tropical statement indoors or in outdoor planters.
Picasso’s Paintbrush Croton
The Picasso’s Paintbrush Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Picasso’s Paintbrush’) has thin, brush-like leaves in green, red, yellow, and orange, resembling ornamental grass, growing 2–4 feet tall. It needs bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, with careful watering. Its delicate, colorful foliage adds an artistic, whimsical touch to indoor spaces.
Lauren’s Rainbow Croton
The Lauren’s Rainbow Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Lauren’s Rainbow’) features long, slender leaves in green, yellow, and deep purple, growing 4–5 feet tall. It tolerates partial shade, high humidity, and well-draining soil, with drought tolerance making it low-maintenance. Its multicolored, elegant foliage adds a rainbow-like vibrancy to indoor or outdoor settings.
Magnificent Croton
The Magnificent Croton features broad, oval leaves with a mix of green, yellow, red, and orange splashes, growing 3–6 feet tall indoors. It thrives in bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, needing consistent moisture but not waterlogging. Its vibrant, multicolored foliage makes it a bold, tropical centerpiece for homes or patios.
Sunny Star Croton
The Sunny Star Croton has lance-shaped leaves with bright green bases and golden-yellow tips, growing 2–4 feet tall. It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its vivid coloration, high humidity, and well-draining soil with moderate watering. Its sunny, radiant foliage adds a cheerful, tropical vibe to indoor spaces or garden beds.
Norma Croton
The Norma Croton boasts large, leathery leaves in green, red, yellow, and orange, with prominent veining, growing 3–5 feet tall. It thrives in bright, indirect light or partial shade, high humidity, and well-draining soil, requiring regular misting. Its bold, variegated foliage creates a striking, tropical accent for indoor or outdoor settings.
Superstar Croton
The Superstar Croton features broad, green leaves heavily speckled with bright yellow, resembling a starry night, growing 3–6 feet tall. It needs bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, with moderate watering to avoid root rot. Its dazzling, spotted foliage adds a vibrant, eye-catching element to interiors.
Andrew Croton
The Andrew Croton has long, narrow, wavy leaves in creamy yellow and green, growing 2–4 feet tall indoors. It thrives in bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, tolerating partial shade. Its soft, creamy foliage offers a more subdued, elegant contrast to brighter Croton varieties.
Florida Select Croton
The Florida Select Croton features oval leaves with green, red, and yellow mottling, growing 3–5 feet tall. It prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, with consistent moisture and occasional fertilizing. Its rich, tropical coloration makes it a versatile choice for indoor decor or outdoor landscapes.
Revolutions Croton
The Revolutions Croton has tightly curled, narrow leaves in green, yellow, and red, resembling spirals, growing 2–3 feet tall. It thrives in bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, needing careful watering. Its unique, twisted foliage adds a whimsical, sculptural touch to small spaces or containers.
Red Iceton Croton
The Red Iceton Croton, a variation of Mrs. Iceton, features broad leaves transitioning from green to red and pink, growing 3–6 feet tall. It requires bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, with regular misting to maintain vibrancy. Its fiery, multicolored foliage makes it a bold, tropical statement piece.
Stoplight Croton
The Stoplight Croton has large, oval leaves in green, yellow, and red, resembling traffic light colors, growing 3–5 feet tall. It thrives in bright, indirect light or partial shade, high humidity, and well-draining soil, with moderate watering. Its vivid, traffic-stopping foliage adds a playful, tropical flair to interiors or gardens.
Thai Surprise Croton
The Thai Surprise Croton features broad, glossy leaves with green, yellow, orange, and red splashes, growing 3–6 feet tall. It needs bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, with consistent moisture and occasional fertilizing. Its vibrant, multicolored foliage creates a striking, tropical effect in homes or patios.
AFD-7 Croton
The AFD-7 Croton, also known as Fishbone Croton, has deeply lobed, green leaves with yellow and red veins, resembling a fishbone, growing 2–4 feet tall. It thrives in bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, needing moderate watering. Its unique, lobed foliage adds an artistic, tropical charm to collections.
Sloppy Painter Croton
The Sloppy Painter Croton, another name for the Eleanor Roosevelt Croton, features slender leaves with green, purple, and yellow splotches, growing 4–6 feet tall. It prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil, with regular watering. Its painterly, variegated foliage brings a vibrant, artistic flair to indoor or outdoor spaces.