Tampa Bay’s Croton Connection
Croton plants adds a splash of constant tropical color to your Tampa landscape. Since their color comes from the leaves instead of flowers, it last all year long. There are countless varieties of colors available, they come in reds, yellows, greens, even stripes and polka dots. The plants come in different sizes and shapes but tend to stay below three feet to serve well as shrubs or foundation plants. The leaves also vary in size and shape, growing into thin long leaves or a corkscrew.
Crotons at Keep it Green
| Types | Crotons, Codiaeum variegatum, Broad Leaf Croton, Oak Leaf Croton, Spiral Leaf Croton |
| Plant Type | Tropical Evergreen Shrub |
| Hardiness Zones | 10,11 |
| Blooms | No Flowers |
| Light Needs | Full to Partial Sun |
| Water Needs | Plentiful Watering |
| Soil Needs | Moist, Well-Drained |
Care Information
Make sure your Crotons get at least five to six hours of sunlight per day. A little shade during the day tends to make the leaf color more intense but too much can have the opposite effect. The do tend to lose more moisture through their leaves than most plants so make sure they get an adequate amount of water, every few days during drier parts of the years. After maturing, they become much more drought tolerant. They should be planted in a rich soil and fertilized regularly with a general purpose fertilizer. Crotons don’t like cold weather and need to be protected from the frost or freezing temperatures. If the temperature threatens to drop below forty degree, make sure you cover all your tropical plants.
Design Ideas
The wide range of sizes, leaf shapes, and especially colors make the croton a very versatile plant for your landscape. We use the Croton in our landscape designs mainly as a shrub to accent an area with color. We choose the color depending on the type of plants, flowers, and trees surrounding them, or even to complement the color of your house. The consistency of color practically makes the Croton a necessity in the Tampa area if you want a striking landscape design. Keep it Green carries a large selection of Crotons in our retail nursery and we can help you choose the ideal type for your yard. We are located in Apollo Beach right off of I-75. A twenty minute drive from downtown, we are minutes from Riverview, Brandon, or the entire South Shore area including Gibsonton, Sun Center, and Ruskin.
Crotons at Keep it Green
