Buying guide

Croton Plant for Sale: Croton Petra, What to Check, Where to Buy

By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated 21 Oct 2026 · How we research · Report an error

Crotons are grown for their leaves: red, orange, yellow and green, often on the same plant. The color is light-driven, so the brighter the spot, the more vivid the plant. Croton 'Petra' is the variety you will see most often.

Is a croton right for you?

It suits you if you can give it bright light with some direct sun; color fades in low light and you are happy to water when the top 1/2 to 1 in of soil is dry; keep evenly moist, never soggy. Difficulty: Moderate. Poisonous (NC State Extension); its sap can irritate skin and mouths. Keep away from pets. Not sure? Try the Plant Finder.

Similar plants to consider: Monstera, Pothos, Snake Plant, ZZ Plant.

Sizes and what you will receive

Online shops sell plants by nursery pot diameter: about 4 in (small, shelf), 6 in (desk or table), 8-10 in (small floor plant) and 12 in and up (floor statement). Height varies a lot within one pot size, so read the listed height too. A mature croton can reach 2-4 ft indoors and growth is moderate, so a smaller plant will take time to fill out; buy closer to the size you want.

What to check when buying: a healthy croton

• Firm, evenly colored leaves with no mushy stems at the soil line.
• Soil that is not sour-smelling or waterlogged when it arrives.
• No webbing, sticky residue or tiny moving insects under the leaves.
• Roots, if you peek, that are pale and firm rather than brown and soft.

Problems to know about before buying:

• Sudden leaf drop: Move or temperature shock; also cold below about 50°F (10°C).
• Leaves turning green: Not enough light; move it to a sunnier window.
• Fine webbing: Spider mites, which love dry air. Rinse the leaves and raise humidity.

Prices

We do not quote prices until we have checked them. They change with pot size, season and sales. To compare fairly, compare the same pot size and check whether a decorative pot and shipping are included.

Shipping and seasonal risks

Tropical plants like this one suffer below about 50°F (10°C). In winter, order from a shop that adds heat packs or holds shipments in freezing weather, and bring the box inside as soon as it arrives. Summer heat in a delivery truck can also damage plants, so avoid long weekends in transit.

Your first week after delivery

1. Unbox right away and photograph any damage; most guarantees need photos within a set window.
2. Water only if the soil is dry; many plants arrive already moist.
3. Give it bright light with some direct sun, but avoid harsh direct sun for a few days.
4. Keep it away from other plants for one to two weeks in case of pests.
5. Wait two to four weeks before repotting. Full care guide: Croton care.

What growers on Reddit say

Short quotes from public threads, linked to the source (checked 21 Oct 2026). Individual experiences, not a verdict.

"They absolutely hate being moved. It should recover with time and a sunny location." u/djdestrado, r/houseplants, Nov 2022, source

"Crotons are notorious from dropping leaves due to shock." u/LeafLove11, r/houseplants, Apr 2024, source

Where to buy a croton online, and why

We list a shop only after confirming it currently lists this plant (checked 21 Oct 2026). Stock changes daily. We may earn a commission from some links; it never decides what we list. Disclosure.

Compare shipping and guarantee terms side by side in Online plant shop policies compared.