Croton
Codiaeum variegatum
Also called Joseph's coat and Garden croton
Houseplant · Patterned foliageIt sulks and drops everything when moved. Give it one bright spot and stop fussing.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Hard
- Water
- Every 6 daysDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Bright, some direct sun
- Feed
- Every 30 days
- Humidity
- High
- Hardiness
- Indoors, or out in high summer RHS H1B, to 10°C
- Size
- 1.25 m tall · 0.75 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- Indonesia and Malaysia
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
No animal-poison authority lists this plant. Flagged unsafe on a people-toxicity source, which is the cautious reading rather than a checked one.
PeopleHarmful if eaten, and irritates skin
HandlingTake care handling it
The milky sap irritates skin; RHS advises gloves when pruning.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-07-31.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- Whole leaves come away at the stalk within a week or two of the plant being moved or a door being left open — croton drops on any sharp change in light, warmth or draught.Leaf drop after a move · disorder
- The colours go grey and grainy from the leaf edge inwards and fine webbing shows on the stem tips.Glasshouse red spider mite · pest