Croton Plant Care
Common Name: Croton
Scientific Name: Codieaum species
Lighting: Bright Light
Watering: Heavy
Croton plants are known for their bright tropical foliage, which is multi-colored and exotic in appearance. The foliage contains stiff leaves pointing upward and has a wax-like feel to them. The Croton plant requires moderate to bright light, so keep the plant within 3 - 5 feet of a window receiving sunlight.
Croton plant varieties require heavy watering as well as high humidity. Misting the plant once or twice a week appears to be sufficient for accommodating the Croton's humidity needs if you live in an area with low humidity levels. Keep the plants soil moist at all times. If leaves begin to fall off or slope downward, you are probably not providing the plant with enough water. If the leaves edges become wilted, this may be an indication that you are over watering the plant. Try cutting down on how often you water and see if that improves the leaves appearance. The Croton also prefers warm temperatures up to 80 degrees F.
Overall, I have found that Croton's are a medium to high maintenance house plant. They are extremely touchy in terms of how much water they are given or not given.
Crotons are one of the many poisonous houseplants. Please keep these houseplants up and away from pets and children.
Popular Croton plant varieties include: Codieaum petra and Codieaum variegatum.
Labels: poisonous houseplants
posted by drayas @ 1:47 PM
19 Comments:
My indoor croton has grown long and spindly and lost leaves on the lower part. Can I cut the stalk below the leaf line and have it survive, grow, and possibly create new shoots?
Hello,
Typically when a plant becomes long and spindly it is not receiving enough light.
Are you asking if you cut the entire plant pretty much off so all that left is a stalk? If yes, I can't say for sure. I have never tried that.
Thank you,
drayas
I cut the plant below the leaf line and it looks like new sprouts are starting to bud out. I keep it in a sunny window & keep it watered! so we'll see what happens1
I am caring for two crotons in a business. They have flouresent light all day but no way to get direct light.
anonymous
Hello,
How long have the Croton's been without direct light? Do they look healthy?? If everything seems to be fine I wouldn't worry, however if they have only been there a short while and are degrading in health I would move them to a spot where they can receive some bright sunlight.
Thanks,
drayas
My leaves on my croton are starting
to drop off.
The crotons have been in this business about three weeks. The place is all windows and flourescent light from 6am to 11pm.
Also, how and when do I fertilize
Anonymous
Hello,
Usually when the leaves begin to drop the plant is not receiving enough water. Water the plant more often and it should improve.
Please keep me posted.
Thanks,
drayas
Hello,
If the office is all windows, the plants are receiving some indirect sunlight correct?
I usually fertilize once a month with a general houseplant food.
Thanks,
drayas
Thanks drayas I now have all the info I need
I water my croton often and the window that i use have nothin but direct light, but my leaves are still falling. What am I doing wrong?
Hello,
Are the leaves on your Croton yellowing or browning before falling off? Are there any signs of pests on the plant? You may be overwatering the plant. Give me a few more details and I will try and help more.
Thanks,
drayas
Hello,
I have done a boo boo withe my Croton Petra and left it outside for a day on a cold windy day. All the leaves have fallen off save few new leaves. They have not browned or drooped before falling and all of them just dropped in one day. All that is left of my poor plant is stalk and few new leaves on the tp. Is there any way I can revive it. Please help
-Distressed Mom
When I bought my plant, it had brightly colored leaves - reds, oranges, and yellows. Now all the leaves are simply green. Still healthy looking. Any idea how to get the colors back?
Don't fret, distressed mom,
Croton plants are pretty hardy. Croton plants can also be very tempermental. Keep providing it with the basic care needs, bright light, water and even a little houseplant food.
Typically new leaves will start forming again. The plant probably just went into shock.
Please keep me posted.
Thanks,
drayas
Marie,
Typically when the leaves begin to lose their multi-colors it means the plant is not receiving enough light. Try moving it closer to a bright light source.
Let me know how things work out.
Thanks,
drayas
My crotons seem healthy, but no new growth what so ever. I am caring for two mature crotons at work. They get plenty of good sunlight, I water frequently but I don't think I water too much. I have had the plants for roughly two months. A week after I got them, I put them in bigger pots, the ones they were in were tiney and made of wicker. I have fertilized twice. They look great, but no new growth. What am I doing wrong.
Hello,
If they look healthy, you aren't doing anything wrong. The plant just isn't ready for new growth.
Keep the same schedule you are on and you will begin to see new growth. Be patient!
Thanks,
drayas
Update after boo boo:
My plant fought it through... Thanks for the solace drayas. New leaf buds started popping up even below the leaf line. not distressed anymore
-Distressed Mom
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