Offering a bold stance, you just can’t miss croton, thanks to their colorful foliage! Here are the best Types of Crotons plants to grow!
Coming in different shades of green, red, ivory, orange, copper, pink, and brown, crotons offer a splash of color wherever you plant them! This striking tropical plant comes in more than 100 Croton plant varieties, making it quite tough to pick the best! Here are some of the best Types of Crotons that you can grow inside your home and outside!
Botanical Name: Codiaeum
USDA Zone: 9-11, can be grown everywhere indoors
Other Names: Rushfoil, Laurel
Types of Crotons
1. Zanzibar Croton Plant
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Zanzibar’
Zanzibar can grow up to 3-4 feet tall. It produces green, red, purple, orange, and yellow narrow leaves and works as a great contrasting plant.
Growing Tip:
‘Zanzibar’ prefers bright indirect light for optimum growth, just like other Croton plant varieties.
2. Yellow Iceton Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Yellow Iceton’
Yellow Iceton shows off mid-green foliage with lush yellow variegation. The plant can reach up to 3-4 feet tall. This type of croton can be grown both indoors and outdoors.
Growing Tip:
This croton variety can be grown in full sun to partial shade.
3. Victoria Gold Bell Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum ‘Victoria Gold Bell’
This attractive croton has a distinct leaf structure that dangles off from the plant. It comes in orange, red, green, or red color that changes with the light levels the plant is exposed to.
Growing Tip:
Protect the plant from direct sunlight in summer and also from hot and cold air.
4. Superstar Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum
The bright green leaves of this croton splashed with yellow spots definitely make it look like a superstar! The plant can grow up to 3-5 feet tall.
Growing Tip:
Water this croton regularly, but avoid overwatering. It works well in full sun to partial shade.
5. Red Iceton Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mrs. Iceton‘
Red Iceton produces yellow leaves that mature in a striking shade of red and pink with bright veins. When grown outdoors, it attains a height of 7-8 feet.
Growing Tip:
Grow ‘Red Iceton’ croton in bright sunlight in a well-draining medium.
6. Sunny Star Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Sunny Star’
Sunny Star features large elliptical light green leaves, dashed in gold color near the base of each leaf. It also works as a great houseplant and can attain a height of 4-6 feet.
Growing Tip:
Partial sun encourages a bright yellow color. Grow the Croton plant, which receives morning sunlight and indirect light for the rest of the day.
7. Petra Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’
Native to Southeast Asia, the Petra croton plant features large, wide leaves in the shades of yellow, green, orange, bronze, and burgundy red. It can grow up to 4-5 feet tall.
Growing Tip:
Grow it in a large pot in a bright location. Also, check out our list of large houseplants.
8. Oakleaf Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Oakleaf’
The Oakleaf croton exhibits tri-lobed leaves in shades of burgundy, red, green, orange, and yellow. You can plant this Croton plant indoors on walkways or grow it indoors near a good light source as well!
Growing Tip:
Grow this plant in well-draining soil. Avoid overwatering as it dislikes standing water.
9. Mother and Daughter Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mother and Daughter’
These types of crotons show off long, narrow leaves that end at a point and, interestingly, give the appearance of holding another small leaflet. The leaves are deep green to deep purple and splashed with small yellow or ivory dashes.
Growing Tip:
‘Mother and Daughter’ variety performs well in dappled shade.
10. Mrs. Iceton Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mrs. Iceton’
This beautiful specimen displays light green leaves shaded with yellow, golden, orange, and red tones. It can reach up to 3-6 feet tall.
Growing Tip:
Mrs. Iceton croton can be grown in full sun in a cold climate.
11. Croton Mammy Plant
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mammy’
Croton mammy plant produces thick, glossy, large, curly leaves in the shades of red, green, purple, and bright yellow. You can grow it outdoors as a shrub and indoors as a houseplant. It grows up to 4-6 feet tall.
Growing Tip:
It does well in partial shade to full sunlight. Take the Croton plant indoors during winter in colder regions.
12. Lauren’s Rainbow Croton Plant
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Lauren’s Rainbow’
The long, narrow leaves of Lauren Rainbow have shades of yellow, green, and deep purple. It grows up to 4-5 feet tall with a similar spread. It is humidity and drought-tolerant, making it an ideal choice as a houseplant. For Croton plant flowering, give it proper care.
Growing Tip:
‘Lauren’s Rainbow’ does well in full sun to dappled shade.
13. Gold Star Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Gold Star’
This beautiful, slow-growing variety has narrow dark green leaves patterned with shiny yellow splashes. This evergreen plant is very low-demanding and can reach a height of 3-6 feet.
Growing Tip:
Grow the ‘Gold Star’ variety in well-draining soil. Place it in a spot that receives at least 4 hours of direct sunlight.
14. Florida Select Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Florida Select’
This showy Red croton plant has smooth and medium-sized velvety green leaves with orange, red, and yellow veins. The plant is poisonous if ingested, so keep your pets and children away from nibbling its leaves.
Growing Tip:
This variety has average water requirements, so avoid overwatering. It prefers full sun to partial shade like other crotons.
15. Croton Gold Dust
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Gold Dust’
Also known as Sun-Spot Croton, the Croton gold dust plant features bright green oval-shaped leaves sprinkled with golden yellow spots. You can also grow it as a houseplant, but it needs full exposure to bright indirect sunlight.
Growing Tip:
Plant this beautiful variety in bright light for vibrant colored leaves. Keep the plant away from the harsh afternoon sun.
16. Bush on Fire Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Bush on Fire’
This croton produces leathery leaves in shades of pink, green, red, orange, and yellow. The color of the leaves changes with age. It can grow up to a height of 3-5 feet.
Growing Tip:
‘Bush on Fire’ grows best where it receives at least 3-4 hours of daily sunlight and evenly moist soil.
17. Eleanor Roosevelt Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum ‘Eleanor Roosevelt’
“Eleanor Roosevelt’ displays green to purple, long narrow leaves sprinkled with golden yellow hues. Henry Coppinger originated this variety in the 1920s. This Purple croton plant attains heights up to 4-6 feet.
Growing Tip:
Water the plant moderately and avoid overwatering.
18. Banana Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Banana’
Bring colors to your interior by growing this bright Croton variety with lance-shaped green leaves splashed with banana-yellow. It can grow up to a height of 3-4 feet.
Growing Tip:
It performs well in light shade with moderate watering.
19. Andrew Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Andrew‘
‘Andrew’ produces narrow, long green leaves with creamy white streaks. It can grow up to 3-5 feet tall, and you can grow it on hedges, too!
Growing Tip:
Provide it with lots of indirect bright light for awesome colors!
20. Magnificent Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Magnificent’
It is a compact choice with huge dark green-colored variegated leaves spotted with pink, red, orange, bright yellow, and purple. Usually, it reaches 5-7 feet on maturity when grown outdoors and 3-4 feet when grown indoors.
Growing Tip:
This variety is shade tolerant, so it would not lose its hue in dim light conditions.
21. Picasso’s Paintbrush Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Picasso’s Paintbrush’
Picasso’s Paintbrush is a variety of thin leaves that lives up to its artistic name with a brilliant pastel color pallet. The narrow leaves also make it look similar to ornamental grass.
Growing Tip:
Picasso’s Paintbrush thrives best in lots of bright, indirect light and high humidity levels.
22. Jamaican Croton
Botanical Name: Graptophyllum pictum ‘Jamaican’
This variety has such a unique set of colors that sets it apart from any other Croton variety. The Chocolate Caricature Jamaican Croton looks striking with dark green chocolate-colored leaves and subtle hints of bronze and pastel pink!
Growing Tip:
Water regularly, as this plant does not do well in drought-like conditions. Ensure the plant receives about 1-2 inches of water every week.
23. Dreadlocks Croton Plant
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Dreadlocks’
With deep, dark green-colored, curled, and twisted leaves. The leaves gradually change into bright red, orange, and yellow colors with time.
Growing Tip: Keep the dreadlocks happy with lots of bright, indirect light and fair humidity levels.
I see I had that backwards. The Red Ice pic is the one with 2 different crotons it seems, the one in the back looks like the Petra. The leaves on the Florida Select also look very similar.
Red Iceton. Forgive me.
it would make more sense when making such compilation, to point out the differences between plants that on pics look exactly the same, as mr cobb pointed out
I agree on pointing out the differences. I need to take photos to look more closely.
The Andrew type is beautiful.
Yes, James, the article might be confusing.
Let me know oak leaf croton and duckfoot croton are same
you should update the listing for number 11. that’s a pretty racist and outdated name
Oh good Lord, get over it, black people aren’t the only ones who can have dreadlocks…..what about the wandering Jew should we change that name too??? Quit giving in to feelings. If something looks like something else it’s human nature to refer to it as such. Take it as a compliment, paying homage to it.
🤙
I believe Zoe is referring to the name MAMMY CROTON on Number 11, which is a racist term! She was NOT referring to the Deadlock Croton in number 23.
Dreadlock is a racist term because it’s called “locs”. If you knew the full spiritual and religious history around locs you wouldn’t say that or agree with any white person wearing them.
You have to face the fact that not everyone knows the full meaning of different ways of styling hair, spiritually and in religious terms. Try not to be so demanding. Lots of races have copied the European hairstyles with wigs, extensions and weaves and no-one criticizes them for their preference, do they?
I agree that when white people wear locs, it strikes a bum note, to say the least. But that is their problem and needn’t upset you.
👏🏽Thank👏🏽You👏🏽
Do you realize that crotons are originally from the Caribbean, and grow wild in Jamaica? Seriously, I’m so sick of “politically correct” crap, and I’m a liberal. I’m not changing anything. I have about 5 species of wandering jew and Mammy croton and all sorts of other things people want to call racist. Names are not racist. People are.
Perfectly said!
Well said! People say what they see and there’s no intention to denigrate or cause offence, so try not to be paranoid about it!
Goodness Gracious I called my Grandmother Mammy and thought nothing of it. I believe you are over thinking this 😕
I think I have a Gold Star Croton but the leaves are longer & narrower than that pictured. Mine has several plants in the same pot (came that way) that are on skinny/treelike stalks with abundant leaves spreading out from the top. It’s several years old and extremely hardy. Does this sound like a Gold Star, if not, what?
Several of the crotons were misnamed.
I have a croton plant but I don’t know which one it is. Looking for another one. Can I send a picture
I believe I have a Florida Select Croton. It flowered for the 1st time in June. I am in Canada so I have to bring it in in the winter. I put it outside near the end of May. I saw the flowers mid-June. I potted up 4 of the tiny seed looking balls. WILL THESE GERMINATE INTO A NEW PLANT?
My like is Message lceton croton.It looks wide range of colors.
There is an app you can use snap a pic of your plant and it identifies it. It’s called picture this you can use it without paying for a subscription. It gives details about the plant
HOW DO YOU DO THIS . I HAD IT INSTALLED THEN DELETED IT ONCE I FOUND VOUT THE PRICE. THANKS IN ADVANCE
WHAT VARITEY OF CROTON HAS 3 LOBES AT END OF LEAVES
Geisha girl, President Reagan, Irene Kingsley, Turkey foot, Thanksgiving, Oak leaf, Excellente, Brazilian, Arrowhead. Crotons I have with three lobed leaves.
Seriously? I’m searching on a plant site for my plant and I see a remark about a plant name being racist. That is so sad you would even make an issue if something so stupid. God does not make mistakes, ever. We all bleed the same. Quit letting the Obidens and the left divide us. God wants us to love thy neighbor and never said anything about color of your skin will mark you. I can’t even say anything else, it just breaks my heart that people act like that. Find Jesus and put him in your heart and follow Him. Your hatred will go away.
I have some Mammys and some Gold Star Crotons. How do I trim these, or cut them back? When the leaves fall off, they leave Suction cup looking marks and nothing regrows there.
Thanks,
Les
That’s not a magnificent croton in your picture