Light
Bright, indirect
Ideal spot
Codiaeum variegatum 'Petra' · Foliage plant
Bright, indirect
Ideal spot
about weekly
In the growing season
Moderate
Moderate grower
Toxic
Cats & dogs
Petra Croton (Codiaeum variegatum 'Petra') belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is a moderate houseplant to look after. This moderate grower plant is happiest in bright, indirect and reaches 60–180 cm indoors.
For watering, the rule is simple: keep evenly moist. In the growing season it needs water roughly every 6 days, dropping to every 10 days in winter. Use the watering calculator below to tune that rhythm to your pot size, light and household humidity.
Important: Petra Croton is toxic to pets — keep it out of reach of cats, dogs and children.
Set your pot size, light and humidity — the calculator tunes the watering rhythm to your home.
Light at the spot
Humidity
Season
Water Petra Croton
every 6 days
≈ about weekly · 5× per month
Let the top 2–3 cm dry and finger-check before watering again.
Petra Croton prefers bright, indirect but will cope with medium to bright. Harsh midday sun can scorch sensitive leaves, while too little light leads to leggy, sparse growth.
Keep Petra Croton between 18–28 °C and aim for around 60% humidity (45% minimum). Below 13 °C it risks cold damage — keep it away from draughty windows and radiators.
18–28 °C
Not below 13 °C
60%
45% minimum
Keep evenly moist
Soil between waterings
Pot Petra Croton in rich, moisture-retentive but free-draining mix. A drainage hole is essential — soggy, airless soil is the single most common way houseplants die.
Croton's milky latex sap irritates skin and is toxic to pets if eaten, causing vomiting and drooling — wear gloves when pruning.
The best ways to propagate Petra Croton are stem cuttings and air layering. Late spring and summer are ideal, when the plant is growing most actively.
The more direct light a croton gets, the wilder its red, orange and yellow leaf colours become; in shade it reverts to plain green.
In the growing season Petra Croton needs watering about weekly (about every 6 days in a 16 cm pot at medium light), and much less in winter — roughly every 10 days. Use the watering calculator above to get the exact interval for your conditions.
Petra Croton thrives in bright, indirect. A spot near a bright window out of harsh midday sun is ideal; give it a little more light in winter.
Petra Croton is toxic to pets. Croton's milky latex sap irritates skin and is toxic to pets if eaten, causing vomiting and drooling — wear gloves when pruning.
The most common problem with Petra Croton is leaf drop. Check your watering and drainage first — most issues trace back to too much or too little water.
The best ways to propagate Petra Croton are stem cuttings and air layering. Late spring and summer are ideal, when the plant is growing most actively.
Indoors Petra Croton typically reaches 60–180 cm. With the right light and occasional repotting it stays compact and bushy.
Care data last verified on 15 June 2026.
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