Croton Sunshine

Name: Croton Sunshine
Brand: MyGreenScape
SKU: PC0550S
Price: 12.0 CAD
Availability: InStock

Croton Sunshine

$12

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Size 3.5" Pot - Small

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About This Plant

Croton Sunshine (Codiaeum variegatum Sunshine) is native to the tropical forests and open scrublands of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. It produces broad, oval to slightly elongated leaves in a warm palette of bright yellow, yellow-green, and green.

The warm yellow leaves brighten any room. The Sunshine Croton is predominantly bright yellow, which means it functions almost like a flowering plant in terms of its ability to add warm colour to a bright space.

Keep it away from pets and children. The ASPCA confirms Codiaeum variegatum is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The latex sap is a skin irritant and ingestion causes vomiting and diarrhea. Wear gloves when pruning as the sap can irritate skin. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children.

The yellow fades to green without enough light. The warm yellow colouring of the Sunshine Croton is entirely dependent on adequate light. In a north-facing room or a low-light corner, new leaves come in green rather than yellow and existing leaves fade over time.

Winter Slowdown

Growth slows from November onward and the vivid yellow colouring fades significantly as light levels drop. Keep it in your absolute brightest south-facing window from October onward. Maintain temperatures above 15 degrees C, do not move it, and keep it away from cold glass and heating vents.

Toxicity

Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, confirmed by the ASPCA (Codiaeum variegatum). The latex sap contains diterpene esters that irritate skin and mucous membranes. Ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. Skin contact with the sap can cause dermatitis. Keep out of reach of pets and small children. Wear gloves when pruning.

Pests

Spider mites are the main pest in dry Canadian homes from November onward. On the Sunshine Croton, pale stippling from mite feeding is harder to see against the yellow leaf surface than on darker Crotons. Check the undersides of the broad leaves carefully when watering.

Other Plants You Might Like

Not sure this is the right fit? Here are three other plants our Canadian customers love. All ship across Canada and thrive in Canadian homes.

Croton Mammy. Bold and red-dominant.

For a Croton with large twisted leaves in deep red, orange and yellow rather than warm sunshine yellow, the Croton Mammy is the most dramatic and colourful of the common Crotons.

Croton Gold Dust. Compact and spotted.

For a more compact Croton with yellow spotting on dark green oval leaves, the Croton Gold Dust suits smaller bright-light spaces and has a very different spotted pattern.

Calathea Yellow Fusion. Yellow without the bright-light demand.

For a yellow-toned plant that handles lower light better than any Croton, the Calathea Yellow Fusion has warm yellow and green variegation and is pet-safe, though it still fades in very low light.

Common Questions

How often should I water the Croton Sunshine?

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, roughly every seven to ten days in spring and summer and every ten to fourteen days in a Canadian winter. Never let it sit in standing water. Our indoor plant watering guide shows how to check correctly.

Why are the leaves turning green instead of staying yellow?

Yellow fading to green means the plant is not getting enough bright light. The yellow pigmentation in the Sunshine Croton requires direct or very bright indirect light. Move it to a south-facing window. New leaves will come in yellow again within a few weeks in adequate light. Read our guide to light requirements for indoor plants for more.

Is the Croton Sunshine toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA confirms Codiaeum variegatum is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The sap causes vomiting, diarrhea, and skin irritation. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children and wear gloves when pruning.

Why is it dropping leaves?

Crotons drop leaves when moved, when temperatures drop below 15 degrees C, or when they experience cold drafts. The most common cause is relocation. Find the brightest permanent spot and leave it there. New leaves will appear once conditions stabilize.

Will it survive a Canadian winter indoors?

Yes, but it needs your brightest window. The yellow colouring fades significantly in the short days of a Canadian November through February. Keep temperatures above 15 degrees C, do not move it, and put it in your sunniest south-facing spot. Read our tips on keeping plants alive in winter for more.

How to take care of Croton Sunshine

Good to Know

Sun: Direct to bright indirect

Needs several hours of bright direct or strong indirect light daily to keep the yellow vivid. A south-facing window is best in a Canadian home. In lower light the yellow fades to lime-green and eventually plain green within weeks.

Light: Bright

A south-facing window is ideal year-round. From October to February when Canadian daylight shortens, keep it in the absolute brightest spot available. Consider a grow light nearby during the darkest months to maintain the yellow. The colour saturation is a direct indicator of light adequacy.

Water: When top inch of soil is dry

Water when the top inch feels dry. Every seven to ten days in spring and summer, every ten to fourteen days in a Canadian winter. Crotons tolerate slight underwatering better than soggy soil. Never leave it in standing water.

Humidity: Moderate to high

Prefers moderate to high humidity. The dry forced-air heating in Ontario and Quebec homes from November onward encourages spider mites and leaf drop. A pebble tray or humidifier nearby helps. Keep it away from direct heat from vents.

Pet Friendly: No

Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, confirmed by the ASPCA (Codiaeum variegatum). The sap is a skin irritant and causes vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. Keep out of reach of pets and small children. Wear gloves when pruning.

Pro Tip

The yellow saturation of the Sunshine Croton is essentially a live readout of how much light it is getting. Deep, vivid yellow on new and old leaves means the light level is right. Pale yellow fading to lime or green on new growth means move it to a brighter window.

What To Expect

Shipping and Delivery Details

Choose local GTA delivery, free Richmond Hill pickup, or shipping across Canada. Pick your delivery or pickup date at checkout, we'll have it ready and fresh for you. See full shipping and delivery details.

30-Day Happy Plant Guarantee

If your plant arrives damaged or isn't healthy, contact us within 30 days with a photo. We'll send a replacement or a full refund, and we cover return shipping.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Certainly! If you're pondering about ordering plants online, you're not alone. We've compiled the most frequently asked questions. Check out our FAQ section here for quick answers! Happy planting!

Plant and Pot Size Guide

4" Pot (Small): plant is approx. 6-10 inches tall. 6" Pot (Medium): approx. 12-18 inches tall. All plants come in a standard nursery pot. Decorative pots are sold separately.

Winter Shipping Protection

Between November and March, you can add Winter Shipping Protection at checkout. It adds insulated packaging and heat packs to protect your plant from the cold in transit. Cold damage is only covered if it's added to your order.

You can add winter shipping protection at checkout.

Returns Policy

If your plant arrives damaged, has pests, or starts to decline within 30 days, we'll send a replacement or a full refund, and we cover return shipping.

Change of mind, repotted or trimmed plants, and cold damage without Winter Shipping Protection aren't covered. See our full Return Policy

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