Croton varieties and leaf colors

Choose a croton by the leaf you can see: Petra has pointed oval leaves, Spirale twists narrow leaves, and Gold Dust or Gold Star carries yellow spotting.

Plant coveredCodiaeum variegatumCroton · Joseph's coat · indoor container

Check the species, variety, group or trade name

Plant names and labels

Taxonomy
The plant is Codiaeum variegatum, commonly sold as croton. RHS notes that a named cultivated selection is properly called a cultivar, even when gardeners use variety informally.
Group
Useful visible groups include rounded, narrow, lobed, wavy, or twisted leaves, along with compact selections and multicolor patterns. RHS records compact plants around 30 cm through plants 90 cm or more.

Compare visible shape, pattern and size

How the varieties differ

‘Petra’ has pointed oval leaves and colorful vein markings. ‘Spirale’ has narrow twisted red-and-green leaves. ‘Gold Dust’ and ‘Gold Star’ have yellow spotting, with ‘Gold Star’ narrower. ‘Majesticum’ has linear leaves with a midrib that changes from green to red.

Change care only for a named difference

Care differences

Higher light generally produces stronger color and a more compact habit, while insufficient light can return foliage toward green. Warm, humid indoor conditions matter, and cold or rapid changes can cause leaf drop. Vegetative propagation maintains a named cultivar.

Treat an unverified identity as uncertain

Limits of plant labels

Sources