YardRemake
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)Foliage

Croton

Codiaeum variegatum

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) is a perennial, hardy in USDA zones 11-12, that matures to about 2-6 ft × 2-6 ft. It does best in part shade with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. It blooms in yellow and white. It grows happily in containers.

USDA zones
11-12
Sun
Part shade
Water
Medium
Mature size
2-6 ft × 2-6 ft
Spacing
3 feet-6 feet
Maintenance
Medium
Soil
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry
Foliage
Brown, Yellow, Green, Pink, Purple, Red
Bloom color
Yellow, White
Watch out for
Contact dermatitis, Poisonous to humans
Native to
Bolivia, Ecuador

In the landscape

AccentFoundationHedgeSpecimenContainerHouseplant

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

Hardiness zones show a normal bad winter. We check the worst one — Croton is hardy to about 40°F (estimated from USDA zone 11), so we'll score it against the real coldest nights your area has actually had.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

See the Croton in your own yard

Upload a photo and our AI designs with real plants like this one — matched to your USDA zone.

More foliage