Garden Croton Codiaeum variegatum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Garden Croton:
- Phonetic Spelling
- koh-dee-EYE-um var-ee-eh-GAY-tum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Crotons are woody, broadleaf evergreen shrubs in the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family reaching heights of 8 feet in their natural habitat, but more commonly 3 feet when grown indoors. They are native to Malaysia and the southwestern Pacific area.
Crotons prefer full sun and occasionally dry soil with good drainage and low-to-medium relative humidity. Water them liberally from spring to autumn, sparingly in winter. Mist leaves regularly, daily if possible.
While the wild type has green glossy leaves, cultivated varieties, known as var. pictum, are grown for their variegated foliage. The leaves of crotons may vary in size, shape, or color.
Where protected from frost, use crotons as foundation plants, hedges, or specimen plants. Treat them as tender annuals planted outdoors in summer or enjoy them year round as houseplants.
Quick ID Hints:
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Leaves are green, leathery, and glossy
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Upright interior shrub
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Milky sap exudes from broken leaves or stems
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
Crotons are woody, broadleaf evergreen shrubs in the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family reaching heights of 8 feet in their natural habitat, but more commonly 3 feet when grown indoors. They are native to Malaysia and the southwestern Pacific area.
Crotons prefer full sun and occasionally dry soil with good drainage and low-to-medium relative humidity. Water them liberally from spring to autumn, sparingly in winter. Mist leaves regularly, daily if possible.
While the wild type has green glossy leaves, cultivated varieties, known as var. pictum, are grown for their variegated foliage. The leaves of crotons may vary in size, shape, or color.
Where protected from frost, use crotons as foundation plants, hedges, or specimen plants. Treat them as tender annuals planted outdoors in summer or enjoy them year round as houseplants.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are green, leathery, and glossy
- Upright interior shrub
- Milky sap exudes from broken leaves or stems
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Spider mite susceptibility sometimes limits interiorscape use to short-term. A milky white latex sap that exudes from damaged leaves or stems can be an irritant to soft tissue, causing itching and swelling. Wash your hands thoroughly when handling plants and keep hands away from the eyes.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
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- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- var. pictum
- Tags:


- Cultivars / Varieties:
- var. pictum
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Codiaeum
- Species:
- variegatum
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Malaysia to South Western Pacific
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Oval
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Insignificant
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Description:
- A slender axillary raceme, at branch tips. White, insignificant, sticky.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple leaves, linear to ovate, acute, entire or lobed, coriaceous (leathery), rugose (crinkled), glossy. Cultivated varieties are more colorful. Milky sap exudes when broken.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- Woody old growth is vertically fissured.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- New growth green, old growth brown and woody with vertical fissures and oval leaf scars giving the stem a pock-marked appearance.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Allergic dermatitis with skin rash developing after repeated contact. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea when ingested.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpene esters
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems