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Tropic Croton

Croton glandulosus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Tropic Croton (Croton glandulosus)
Photo: (c) Zihao Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zihao Wang

Toxicity unknown

Tropic Croton (Croton glandulosus) 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

8"–24" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 25 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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Chihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauSouthern Texas PlainsTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsDriftless AreaCentral Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal PlainSouthern Florida Coastal PlainAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Tropic croton is a small annual wildflower with inconspicuous greenish flowers and soft, hairy leaves. This compact plant thrives in sunny, dry conditions and provides consistent summer blooms from June through September.

In an HOA neighborhood

Tropic 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.

  • Very weedy appearance with inconspicuous flowers
  • Dies back completely in fall leaving bare spots
  • May be mistaken for unwanted weeds by neighbors

Wildlife value

The small flowers attract native bees and beetles throughout the growing season. As an annual, it provides nectar resources during the important summer months when pollinators are most active.

Common questions

How much sun does Tropic Croton need?
Tropic Croton grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Tropic Croton bloom?
Tropic Croton blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Tropic Croton native?
Tropic Croton (Croton glandulosus) is native to AL, AR, DE, FL and 25 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Tropic Croton attract?
Tropic Croton draws bees and beetles.
Is Tropic Croton HOA-friendly?
Tropic 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 vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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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