Most of the varieties grown during the 1970's experienced considerable leaf drop when moving the plant indoors. Back before South Beach, Disney World, and the Cuban missile crisis, Miami Beach was a vacation spot in the 40's and 50's. Croton leaves were used to add color and decorate the hotels' interiors. During those days crotons were used and still are today in the outdoor landscape of South Florida. They come in many shapes and a rainbow of colors, reds, pinks, yellows, rust, orange, even some purples to name a few.
Crotons are unique in that it is possible to root only the leaves.
These rooted leaves were then planted into low coffee table arrangements that added color and lasted for 2-3 months. Today many interiorscapers use mums, bromeliads, and orchids for color rotation. Over the last 10-15 years new varieties have been developed in Europe and introduced to the US marketplace. These new introductions are able to maintain their color and leaves under lower light levels. Two of these popular varieties produced are Croton Norma and Croton Petra.