Croton Petra
Codiaeum variegatum · Native to SE Asia & the western Pacific
A true showstopper, Croton Petra is famous for its bold, glossy leaves streaked with red, orange, yellow, and green. Give it plenty of light and it rewards you with some of the most vivid foliage color you can grow — indoors or out on the patio.
Available in 4½, 6 & 10 inchCare
Light
Thrives in bright, indirect light to maintain its vibrant foliage. The more light it receives, the brighter its colors will be.
Water
Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Keep humidity moderate to high for best growth.
Soil & Feeding
Use a well-draining potting soil, and fertilize every 2–4 weeks during spring and summer.
Quick Tip
Sudden drafts or a big change in light can cause leaf drop — give it a stable, bright spot and it will stay full and colorful.
Details
The Croton ‘Petra’ is grown for its dramatically colorful, leathery leaves — a patchwork of green, yellow, orange, and deep red with boldly contrasting veins.
- ✅ Color explosion — bright multi-colored tropical leaves
- ✅ “Clean air” plant — helps freshen indoor spaces
- ✅ Great indoors or outdoors — patio plant or indoor accent
Size
Available in 4½ inch, 6 inch, and 10 inch pots.
Good to Know
⚠️ Crotons are toxic if ingested and the milky sap can irritate skin — keep away from pets and children, and wash hands after handling. Not meant for human or animal consumption.
Plant Bio
Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’ · commonly called Croton or Rushfoil
Croton ‘Petra’ is one of the most recognizable members of the garden croton family, a group of tropical evergreen shrubs native to Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and the islands of the western Pacific. In the wild they grow as understory and forest-edge shrubs in warm, humid climates; as houseplants they are grown almost entirely for their spectacular foliage.
‘Petra’ is prized for its large, oval, leathery leaves that carry several colors at once — deep green overlaid with yellow, orange, and fiery red, with the midrib and veins picked out in bold contrasting tones. The color is light-driven: the brighter the position, the more saturated and dramatic the leaves become, while low light causes them to fade toward plain green.
It grows upright and bushy, and can reach several feet tall over time indoors or on a sheltered patio. Crotons are famously sensitive to sudden change — a move, a cold draft, or a big swing in light or watering can trigger leaf drop — so the trick is simply to give it a stable, bright, draft-free home and consistent watering.
Water when the top couple of inches of soil dry out, keep humidity up, and feed through the growing season. It’s also valued as a “clean air” plant that helps freshen indoor spaces.
How is Croton Petra different from other crotons?
- ‘Petra’ has broad, flat, oval leaves — not the narrow, twisted, or ribbon-like leaves of some other croton varieties.
- Its veins are boldly outlined in contrasting color, giving an especially graphic, multi-colored look.
- It grows into a fuller, more shrub-like plant than compact dwarf crotons.
- Like all crotons it needs strong light to hold color, but ‘Petra’ is one of the most vivid and widely grown.
Note: Crotons are toxic if ingested and the milky sap can irritate skin — keep out of reach of pets and children and wash hands after handling. Grown for ornamental purposes and not intended for human or animal consumption.