Croton
Codiaeum variegatum 'Petra' — The Boldest Colour In The Office
Light
High light — needs a sunny window; only viable near large windows or strong supplemental lighting. Colour intensity directly correlates with light — losing colour means more light, not more water.
Water
New foliage wilts visibly when thirsty — a useful indicator.
Humidity
Prefers moderate to high humidity. Leaf edges brown in dry winter heating.
Temperature
18–27°C (65–80°F). Keep away from cold drafts and heating vents.
Difficulty
Advanced
Sizes
Tabletop (under 2 ft) · Mid-floor (around 2.5 ft) · Floor specimen (3 ft+)
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum 'Petra') is grown for its bold, multi-coloured leathery leaves in red, orange, yellow and green — new growth emerges plain green and develops its colour as it matures under strong light. It stays a manageable two to three feet tall indoors, growing slowly to moderately.
In the Office
Croton needs a sunny window or strong supplemental lighting to keep its colour; in low light it fades toward plain green and becomes a plant that needs replacing rather than reviving. It's also the most cold-sensitive plant in a typical office installation, so keep it well away from draughts and cold entryways. Given a genuinely bright spot, the payoff is colour few other plants can match.
Why Choose This Plant
Benefits for Your Office
- Boldest foliage colour of any plant in a typical office installation — red, orange, yellow and green on the same leaf
- Colour intensity is a direct, visible signal of whether the light is right, which makes a placement problem easy to spot
- Slow to moderate growth keeps its shape manageable between maintenance visits
- Leathery, textured leaves add visual variety next to the flatter foliage of most office plants
Where to Place It
Office Placement Ideas
- 1
Beside a large sunny window — direct light is what keeps the colour bold rather than fading to green
- 2
Reception areas or lobbies with strong natural light — the bright variegation reads well in high-traffic spaces
- 3
Away from cold entryways and draughts — it's the most cold-sensitive plant in a typical office setup, and temperatures below 15°C (59°F) cause rapid leaf drop
How to Care for It
Care Tips for Office Environments
- Prune leggy or bare stems back to a node, wearing gloves — the sap irritates skin and stains clothes
- If it's stuck in low light, treat it as due for replacement rather than trying to revive it; match placement to the light level instead
- Check leaf undersides for spider mites at every visit, especially through the heating season
- Watch for mealybugs and scale as a secondary concern
Want Croton in your office?
Our team will recommend the right variety and size for your space, deliver and install it, and keep it thriving with ongoing care.