Not a salad topping or science fiction character, Crotons are tough tropical plants to grow indoors and out.

And they have some of the most colorful foliage in existence. If you’re looking for a bold splash of color for your pool or patio without the fuss of fertilizing and deadheading annual flowers, then this is the container plant for you.

Not only are they great container plants, Crotons also can be planted in the ground in tropical climates (Zone 9 or higher). I remember seeing large gorgeous hedges of them in Jamaica. I felt sorry for my poor little Croton back in Indiana, forever limited by pot size and cold winters. Oh well, at least it can come out to the porch in summer and enjoy that good old Indiana humidity.

Colorful Crotons

Native to Southeast Asia, Crotons, or Codiaeum variegatum, are part of the Euphorbia family. They come in a wide range of colors and leaf shapes. From bright yellows and oranges to reds and pinks. Just about every color is represented in one or more of the hundreds of varieties in existence. And most of them are a combination of several colors!

Crotons’ colorful leaves can be ovate, long and skinny, oak-shaped, flat, crinkled, twisted, or a combination of these. Crotons are very common houseplants. And you can easily be found in big box stores or nurseries that stock houseplants or summer tropicals. To make an especially bold statement, use a brightly colored pot that matches one of the colors in the leaves, like this pairing I saw while on vacation in San Pancho, Mexico.

How to Grow Crotons

Crotons are pretty easy plants to grow, as long as conditions are right. They are notorious for dropping leaves if temperatures regularly drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Or even if the soil stays dry for too long! While they can handle full sun, they prefer dappled bright light. Plus, some of the colors may fade if too much or too little light is provided.

Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and occasionally feed with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. Crotons like humid conditions and will benefit from misting in dry settings.

Do Not Eat Crotons

Crotons are considered poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats, and can cause severe stomach upset if eaten. Luckily they apparently taste terrible, so most people and animals will stop nibbling after one bite (although they have been used as a purgative in traditional medicine, not that I’m recommending it).

My cats and dogs have never attempted to chew on my Croton plant, much preferring a bite of Spider Plant instead, but if you have a notorious plant eater on your hands, I would avoid this plant. The milky sap is also considered to be irritating to skin and may cause a rash if on sensitive skin or if skin is exposed to a lot of sap.

Hopefully I didn’t scare you off with that last part, because Crotons really are a fun, low maintenance plant that can make your outdoor spaces feel like a tropical escape.