How much sun does Gulf croton need?

Gulf croton grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Gulf croton bloom?

Gulf croton blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.

Where is Gulf croton native?

Gulf croton (Croton punctatus) is native to AL, FL, GA, LA and 4 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Gulf croton host?

Gulf croton is a larval host plant for goatweed leafwing.

Gulf croton

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Croton punctatus

Last reviewed: October 2026

Gulf croton (Croton punctatus) is a perennial shrub native to AL, FL, GA, LA and 4 more states. It blooms in May, June, July, August, and September. The flowers draw bees and flies.

Toxicity unknown

Gulf croton (Croton punctatus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 18"–36" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, FL, GA, LA and 4 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Western Gulf Coastal Plain Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain

A silvery-scaled, aromatic dune shrub with a rounded form and small leaves, well adapted to shifting sand and salt spray on beach dunes.

Growing Gulf croton

Grow Gulf croton in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 18 to 36 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for goatweed leafwing.

An important dune stabilizer and larval host plant for the goatweed leafwing butterfly.

Common questions

How much sun does Gulf croton need?: Gulf croton grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Gulf croton bloom?: Gulf croton blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.
Where is Gulf croton native?: Gulf croton (Croton punctatus) is native to AL, FL, GA, LA and 4 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Gulf croton host?: Gulf croton is a larval host plant for goatweed leafwing.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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