Is Croton Poisonous?

Common names Croton
Botanical name Codiaeum variegatum

Poisonous parts Bark, roots, latex, leaves

Toxins 5-deoxyingenol




This exotic plant is grown for it's colorful foliage.

Chewing the bark and roots is said to cause burning of the mouth. The latex has caused eczema in some gardeners after repeated exposure. Some young leaves are used in the East Indies as a vegetable, but cases of irritation have been reported. The latex has caused eczema in some gardeners (Morton 1962, Frohne and Pfander 1983).