Croton 'Sunny Star'

Description Light/Soil/Water Hardiness  The Croton 'Sunny Star' is a vibrant, tropical powerhouse known for its bold colors and architectural foliage. Unlike some crotons that lean into deep reds and oranges, the 'Sunny Star' focuses on a brilliant palette of bright yellows and deep greens, making it look like a sun-drenched plant regardless of the weather outside. Botanically known as Codiaeum variegatum, Crotons are native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. In their natural habitat, they grow as large shrubs, but the 'Sunny Star' cultivar is specifically bred for its manageable size and unique, celestial color pattern. While primarily grown for foliage, mature Crotons can produce small, star-shaped, cream-colored flowers on long stalks. However, they are fairly inconspicuous and rarely appear on indoor plants. High, bright light. Needs 4–6 hours of direct sun or very bright indirect light to maintain its yellow color. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. They are sensitive to drying out completely. Use a rich, well-draining potting mix. A standard indoor soil mixed with a bit of perlite is perfect. Thrives in 65°F to 85°F (18°C - 29°C). It is very sensitive to cold drafts and temperatures below 55°F. This plant should be fertilized once during the growing season (spring/summer) with diluted houseplant fertilizer. Crotons are toxic to pets and humans if ingested. The milky sap can also cause skin irritation, so it is best to wear gloves when pruning. Zones 10-11 (Must be brought indoors in cooler climates).