The Croton ‘Petra’ (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’) is the classic, cannot-miss garden croton, and one of the most colorful foliage plants you can grow. Its large, glossy, leathery leaves emerge green and are boldly overlaid with yellow, orange, pink, and red along prominent veins, creating an almost stained-glass effect. As a result, with an upright, bushy habit, the Croton ‘Petra’ makes a dramatic accent in tropical beds, a bold container or patio specimen, and a brilliant houseplant that brings year-round, head-turning color to any bright room.

Why Grow a Croton ‘Petra’?

Bold, multicolored leaves – green foliage veined in yellow, orange, pink, and red for nonstop color.
Big, lush, tropical look – large, leathery leaves on an upright, full plant make a real statement.
Indoors or out – also a vibrant landscape accent in warm climates and a striking, air-freshening houseplant everywhere else.
Versatile form – perfect as an accent, container or tub specimen, or an informal tropical hedge in frost-free areas.
Year-round interest – especially valuable since the evergreen foliage holds its color through every season.

Looking for more bold, tropical foliage? Browse our Indoor Plants and Outdoor Plants collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

Botanical name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’ (garden croton, fire croton, Joseph’s coat)
Plant type: Tropical broadleaf evergreen shrub
Plant family: Euphorbiaceae (the spurge family)
Mature size: upright, about 3–6 feet tall and 2–5 feet wide (taller outdoors in the tropics; usually smaller indoors)
Foliage: Large, glossy, oval leaves veined in yellow, orange, pink, and red over green
Notable traits: Vivid year-round color; popular houseplant; moderately salt-tolerant for coastal landscapes
Cold Hardiness Zones: 9–11 (reliably hardy in 10–11; grow as a houseplant or protected container elsewhere)

Croton ‘Petra’ Care & Growing Guide

Crotons reward a little attention with incredible color. Follow these guidelines:

Sunlight: Bright light is the key to color, so give it full sun to bright, partial shade outdoors, or a bright window indoors. However, too little light turns the leaves plain green, while harsh, scorching sun can bleach or burn them.
Water: Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy, watering regularly and avoiding overwatering. Importantly, it is not drought-tolerant and likes moderate-to-high humidity.
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil or a quality potting mix. In addition, make sure containers have drainage holes.
Cold Hardiness Zone: 9–11. Because it has no frost tolerance, protect it below about 50°F, and in colder areas grow it in a pot and bring it indoors for winter.
Feeding & pruning: Feed during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer, though too much can dull the leaf color, so increase slowly. In addition, prune by hand to shape it, and do not shear it, since crotons look ragged when sheared.

Good to know: all parts of the croton are toxic to people and pets if eaten, and the milky sap can irritate skin. Therefore, wear gloves when pruning and keep it away from children and pets.

Ways to Use Croton ‘Petra’ in the Landscape

This bold, upright tropical brings vivid color indoors or out. Popular uses for the Croton ‘Petra’ include:

Bold accent or specimen in tropical beds
Also container and tub plantings for patios and porches
Colorful houseplant for a bright room or office
Similarly, an informal tropical hedge or mass planting (frost-free areas)
Foundation color and poolside displays

It pairs beautifully with other bold tropical foliage. For example, gardeners often combine it with the twisting Croton ‘Mammy’, the burgundy Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’, or the multicolor Chocolate Queen Cordyline.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Croton ‘Petra’ starter plants, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. Each plant is less than 12 inches tall when we ship it. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. That way, you can see how yours will look as they grow. Finally, choose your preferred bundle size using the options above.

Also, due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees where necessary to comply.

Ordering, Shipping & Returns

Every order ships free and is insured against loss or damage in transit. For full details on how we pack and send your plants, processing and delivery times, and what to do in the rare case of a problem, please review our Shipping Policy and Terms & Conditions before purchasing. By placing an order, you agree to those terms.

Croton ‘Petra’ FAQ

Growing & Care Questions

What is a Croton Petra?

It is the classic, cannot-miss garden croton, Codiaeum variegatum Petra, and one of the most colorful foliage plants you can grow. Notably, its large, glossy, leathery leaves emerge green and are boldly overlaid with yellow, orange, pink, and red along prominent veins, for an almost stained-glass effect.

How is Petra different from other crotons?

It is prized for its big, bold leaves. Specifically, the large, leathery, oval foliage is veined in many colors over green, on an upright, bushy plant. As a result, it makes one of the most dramatic statements of any croton.

How big does Croton Petra get?

It grows upright, about 3 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 5 feet wide. However, it is usually taller outdoors in the tropics and smaller when grown indoors as a houseplant.

Why does light matter so much for color?

Bright light is the key to color. Specifically, full sun to bright partial shade outdoors, or a bright window indoors, keeps the colors vivid. However, too little light turns the leaves plain green, while harsh scorching sun can bleach or burn them.

Can I grow Croton Petra indoors?

Yes, it makes a striking houseplant. Give it a bright window and steady moisture. In addition, it appreciates moderate-to-high humidity, since it is a true tropical.

Safety, Hardiness & Shipping Questions

How often should I water it?

Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy, watering regularly and avoiding overwatering. Importantly, it is not drought-tolerant, so do not let it dry out for long stretches.

How do I feed and prune Croton Petra?

Feed during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. However, too much can dull the leaf color, so increase slowly. In addition, prune by hand to shape it, and do not shear it, since crotons look ragged when sheared.

What growing zones is it suited for?

It is hardy in USDA Cold Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, and reliably so in 10 to 11. However, it has no frost tolerance, so protect it below about 50 degrees and bring it indoors for winter in colder areas.

Is Croton Petra toxic?

Yes, use care. All parts are toxic to people and pets if eaten, and the milky sap can irritate skin. Therefore, wear gloves when pruning and keep it away from children and pets.

What size plants will I receive?

You will receive live Croton Petra starter plants. Each one is under 12 inches tall at shipping, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. So you can see how yours will look as they grow. Finally, choose your bundle size using the options above.

Croton Petra (Codiaeum variegatum) broad green leaves veined yellow, orange, and red

Croton Petra colorful variegated tropical foliage

Click to enlarge

Croton Petra Codiaeum variegatum bold veined leaves

Croton Petra orange and red veined foliage plant

Carlos Plant Farm

Croton ‘Petra’ – Codiaeum variegatum (Colorful Tropical Foliage, Live Starter Plant)

Price range: $33.79 through $178.32

Bring the tropics indoors or out with a live Croton ‘Petra’ (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’). This classic garden croton is prized for its large, glossy leaves that emerge green and blaze with yellow, orange, pink, and red along bold veins. With an upright habit (about 3–6 feet, taller in the tropics), it shines as an accent, container specimen, or houseplant. Shipped as a healthy live starter plant (under 12 inches tall) by Carlos Plant Farm. Cold hardy in USDA zones 9–11; all parts are toxic if eaten.

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