Crotons (Codiaeum variegatum) are tropical plants that grow outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9b to 11 and as houseplants elsehwere. Growing to a height of 6 to 8 feet and width of 3 to 6 feet, crotons are attractive as a single plant or a grouping and grow well in pots or in the ground. Their green leaves turn into shades of yellow, red and purple, showing their brightest colors in the sunlight. You can grow cultivars of crotons such as "Banana," "Bravo," "Gold Dust," "Icetone Red," "Karen," "Mammy," "Norma," "Petra" and "Sunny Star" in the warm outdoor climates with a few precautions and some care.
Plant crotons where they will receive direct sunlight for at least six to eight hours a day. They can grow as tall as 6 feet and up to 3 feet wide with enough light. Their green leaves turn to shades of yellow, red and purple throughout the year, showing their brightest colors in the sun in cooler months.
Crotons are evergreen plants and will continue to grow throughout winter, when they show off their colors. Crotons grow best at between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower night or seasonal temperatures will not harm the plants, as they are hardy enough to withstand temperatures as low as 40 F. However, it is wise to cover a bed of crotons or bring potted ones indoors if a frost is expected. The plants can tolerate heat as high as 100 F, but should have some shade in areas that experience severe heat.
Well-drained soil works best for growing crotons outdoors so the soil can dry between waterings. Pots should provide good drainage, as well. Water the plants when the top of the soil is dry. On especially hot days, you may need to water the crotons twice a day. Crotons like humid weather, and misting the plants throughout the hottest days of summer will help the leaves stay bright and healthy.
Outdoor crotons require fertilizer with a recommended ratio of 3-1-2 (3 percent nitrogen, 1 percent phosphorus and 2 percent potassium). Liquid or gradual-release granular fertilizer work well, using amounts listed on the packaging. Too much fertilizer can damage the roots and cause the leaves to be dull instead of bright and shiny.
Although crotons are generally pest-free, they can be affected by a few garden pests. Mealybugs are a type of scale insect that show up as white cottony masses. Mites are eight-legged insects that cause the leaves to become curled or speckled. Thrips are commonly called "greenhouse thrips," and often attack newly developed plants. They leave scarred or calloused spots where they feed. These pests can be treated with a pesticide developed for tropical plants or houseplants.
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