Plant Profile: Croton alabamensis

This southeastern native plant is quite rare in its natural habitat and can be challenging to locate in nurseries, but the effort to find it is certainly worthwhile.

It grows as a loose, open, semi-deciduous shrub, typically reaching about six feet tall, with a sprawling, mounding form. The leaves are bright green on the upper side and silvery underneath, with older foliage transforming into a striking pumpkin-orange hue in the autumn. Additionally, the leaves emit a pleasant fragrance reminiscent of apples or bananas.

The small yellow-green flowers bear a resemblance to those of the poinsettia, though they lack the large, vibrant bracts. Both plants are part of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) and share traits such as milky sap and a notable resistance to deer damage.

Alabama croton can withstand some neglect and dry conditions, but it thrives best in semi-shade with moist, well-drained organic soil. The primary challenge in growing this plant lies in preventing more aggressive shrubs and vines from overshadowing it.