Croton Petra (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’) is South Florida’s go-to shrub for bold, permanent color — broad glossy leaves veined and splashed in yellow, orange, red, and green, on a plant tough enough for foundation beds and full borders. Where flowers come and go, a Petra’s painted foliage is on display every day of the year.
Why Florida Customers Choose Us
Croton Petra Breakdown
Appearance:
Large, oval, leathery leaves with dramatic vein-following color that shifts from yellow-green in new growth to deep orange and red as leaves mature.
Dense, upright habit.
Growth Rate:
Moderate.
Size:
Typically 3–6 feet tall and 2–4 feet wide outdoors in South Florida; easily maintained smaller.
Sunlight Requirements:
Full sun to part shade.
Outdoors in South Florida, light drives the color — full sun with regular water gives the strongest reds and golds, morning sun or filtered light keeps the leaves a little larger, and deep shade dulls the foliage toward green.
Water Needs:
Moderate.
Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; allow the top inch to dry between waterings.
Soil Preferences:
Well-draining, organically enriched soil; mulch in sandy beds.
Maintenance:
Low.
Occasional tip-pruning keeps plants bushy and triggers fresh, brightly colored growth. The milky sap can irritate skin and is best kept from pets that chew.
Landscape Use:
Foundation plantings, color hedges, accent groupings against green backdrops, entry beds, and large containers.
Striking planted in front of clusia or podocarpus hedges.
Climate Tolerance:
USDA zones 10–11 outdoors.
Frost-sensitive; also a proven indoor plant in bright rooms.
Plant Petras in groups of three to five in front of a solid green hedge and you get a permanent color band that never needs replanting — the reason it’s a staple in professionally designed South Florida beds.
Florida Delivery Available
We have in-stock Croton Petra ready to ship throughout Florida. Multiple sizes available with professional installation options. Order online or text/call 561-898-2028 for expert advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Plant & Care for Croton Petra in Florida
Choose Sun + Spacing
Most Florida plants prefer full to partial sun. Check mature width and space accordingly so plants don’t crowd as they fill in.
Dig Wide, Not Deep
Dig a hole 2–3x wider than the container and slightly shallow. This encourages roots to spread outward into native soil.
Plant at Proper Height
Remove from the pot, loosen circling roots, and plant with the root ball level to slightly above grade.
Water to Establish
Water deeply right after planting. For the first 10–14 days, consistent moisture is critical—don’t let the root ball dry out.
Mulch + Light Maintenance
Apply 2–3 inches of mulch (keep off the stem). Once settled, light trimming encourages fuller growth.
Professional Installation Available: Not comfortable planting yourself? We offer expert installation services throughout Florida. Our team has 15+ years of experience ensuring your plants thrive. Call 561-898-2028 to add installation to your order.
What Florida Customers Say
Great price for plants with delivery in PBC. They also did the install and did a great job! I ordered Saturday and had everything in by end of Tuesday. They were quick, upfront with pricing, reasonable and the plants are healthy and gorgeous. Highly recommend!
Highly recommend! Super communicative, did a great job installing and all-around fit our budget while still providing excellent quality, beautiful plants! We will be repeat customers!
Do not look any further. These guys are awesome. Punctual, WAY more affordable plants than Home Depot, and the quality of plants delivered were far superior than any nursery I've been to. Great to deal with and very professional. Our installer went above and beyond to insure our satisfaction and he was a true professional.
