Is Croton safe for pets?

No, Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum) is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach of pets.

Is Croton easy to care for?

Croton has a medium care difficulty rating. It requires medium watering and full_sun or partial_shade light.

Can Croton grow indoors?

Croton is primarily an outdoor plant and may not thrive indoors without specialized conditions.

Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum) is a perennial shrub in the Euphorbiaceae family with moderate care difficulty. It requires moderate watering and full sun or partial shade light in USDA hardiness zones 9-12. This plant is toxic to cats and dogs — keep it out of reach of pets.

Codiaeum variegatum is an evergreen shrub known for its strikingly colorful and variegated foliage.

Last updated: February 2026

Croton

Codiaeum Variegatum

Codiaeum variegatum is an evergreen shrub known for its strikingly colorful and variegated foliage.

Quick Facts

Type

shrub

Lifecycle

perennial

Care Difficulty

Moderate

Water Needs

Moderate

Light

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Hardiness Zones

9-12

Safety

⚠️

Not Pet Safe

⚠️

Not Child Safe

☠️

Toxic

Growing Conditions

Soil Types:loamy, sandy

Indoor:No

Outdoor:Yes

Garden Use:specimen, accent, foliage interest

Care Calendar

Monthly care tasks for Croton

Jan

Prune

Feb

Fertilize

Mar

Repot

Apr

Water+

May

...

Jun

...

Jul

...

Aug

...

Sep

...

Oct

...

Nov

...

Dec

...

Expert Care Tips

Pro tips from botanists and plant experts

Watering Tip

Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 1 inch deep. Water only when the top layer feels dry to prevent overwatering.

Humidity Trick

Group plants together to create...

Growth Hack

Rotate your plant every...

Photo Gallery10+ photos

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Taxonomy

Family:Euphorbiaceae

Genus:Codiaeum