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Texas Croton

Croton texensis

Last reviewed: October 2026

Texas Croton (Croton texensis)
Photo: Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Toxicity unknown

Texas Croton (Croton texensis) 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

6"–24" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CO and 15 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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

Central Basin and RangeNorthwestern Forested MountainsNorth American DesertsSouthern RockiesArizona/New Mexico MountainsChihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainCentral Irregular PlainsNorthwestern Great PlainsGreat PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsMadrean ArchipelagoSonoran Basin and Range

Texas croton is a native annual wildflower that produces small, inconspicuous blooms from summer through early fall. This compact plant forms neat mounds with attractive foliage and requires minimal water once established.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Texas Croton takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Often considered a weed by conventional standards
  • Informal appearance may not meet HOA aesthetic expectations
  • Annual nature means gaps in landscape coverage

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and beetles during the long blooming season. Seeds provide food for birds and small wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Texas Croton need?
Texas Croton grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Texas Croton bloom?
Texas Croton blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Texas Croton native?
Texas Croton (Croton texensis) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CO and 15 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Texas Croton attract?
Texas Croton draws bees and beetles.
Is Texas Croton HOA-friendly?
Texas Croton takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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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