Can You Put A Croton Plant Outside?

Originating in the South Pacific Islands, croton plants are a truly beautiful, tropical plant that can  grow hardy up to 5 to 6 feet tall. While many of us are familiar with crotons as houseplants, they can happily survive in your garden with the right croton plant care.

Crotons can provide color and vibrancy to any garden during the summer and early fall — all it takes is a little know-how.

The question is, can you put croton plants outside? Do they like to be in full sun? Let’s dig into these questions! 

Can I Put My Croton Plant Outside?

Most gardeners in southern, frost-free zones should have no problem growing their croton plants outside. This is because freezing temperatures can be damaging to the plant, which is why most gardeners who live in areas that do reach near freezing may choose to grow their crotons in containers on casters. These allow the gardener to move the plant to a sheltered location should the threat of cold temperatures hit.

If the plant is in the ground, you may need to cover the plant when the temperature gets colder. Crotons, because they are tropical, are not well-suited to freezing temperatures and, as a result, they can lose foliage or even have roots die when the weather gets too cold. 

Northern gardeners can grow a croton plant outside, but it will have to be during the summer. They will also need to plant the croton in an area where it receives plenty of bright but indirect light as well as little to no wind. To ensure the plant’s longevity, only transplant it when absolutely necessary every three to five years as needed. 

Do Crotons Like Full Sun?

Croton can tolerate a lot of sun. In fact, they prefer it. The sun’s bright rays bring out the full-color spectrum of the croton’s leaves. To get the most colorful croton possible, you’ll want to ensure they get plenty of light. 

That said, these plants still need to be protected from the full midday sun. This is because full midday sun can cause the color to fade out. Overall, you’ll want to give your crotons about six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to ensure healthy foliage and colorful leaves. If the croton plant is not receiving enough light, it will let you know by turning its leaves green. 

Which Crotons Do Best in Full Sun?

• Yellow Iceton: These low-maintenance options can survive in the sun and the house. They grow up to 3-4 feet tall.
• Petra: These have yellow, green, bronze, orange, and burgundy red leaves that survive in any location. They grow up to 4-5 feet tall.
• Magnificent: These are a tough variety that thrives when exposed to full sun. Their leaves are pink, bright yellow, orange, red, and purple. They grow up to 5-7 feet tall. 
• Superstar: These plants require regular but moderate watering to survive. They grow bright green leaves with yellow spots and up to 3-5 feet tall.
• Red Iceton: This variety requires well-drained soil and bright sunlight. They grow up to 7-8 feet tall. 
• Mammy: This plant thrives in full sunlight as well as in partial shade. They can grow up to 4-6 feet tall. 
• Lauren’s Rainbow: These are a resilient variety that is tolerant to humidity and droughts. They can grow up to 4-5 feet tall.

Get Croton Plants and More

At Sod Depot, we do more than just make your lawn look beautiful. We know that the perfect lawn looks different to every person, so we provide a variety of products so you can bring your ideal yard to life. Shop our croton selection and other plants today!