Codiaeum — 8 species

Codiaeum variegatum — the croton — is a flamboyant tropical shrub valued for intensely coloured foliage in cultivars such as Petra, Mammy, and Banana Croton. It demands bright but indirect light; insufficient light dulls the vivid reds, yellows, and greens. Water when the top centimetre of compost dries out, and maintain warm temperatures above 15 °C with high ambient humidity. All Codiaeum species are toxic to cats and dogs — the irritant sap causes gastrointestinal upset and skin irritation — so position plants well out of pets' reach.