Care Guide
Croton
Meet the Croton
Croton plants, known for their vibrant, colorful foliage, are popular for adding a splash of bold color to indoor and outdoor spaces. They come in various shades of red, yellow, green, and orange, with leaves that often feature intricate patterns. Crotons thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer well-drained soil. They are relatively low-maintenance but need regular watering and occasional feeding to keep their colors vivid and leaves healthy.
Light
These plants require six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day to produce gorgeous yellow, red, and purple foliage. It is best to position a croton plant in an east or west window to ensure that it gets enough sunlight. If the plant is lacking the light it requires, the leaves will turn green.
Pet Friendly
Not pet-friendly
Water
You will need to water your Croton plants rather frequently during the growing season. They require the soil to be constantly moist, so when the top begins to feel dry, the plant must be watered again. In addition, these plants like a humid environment. If you cannot find a location that provides this type of atmosphere, then you need to mist the leaves to create it artificially. During the winter months, the watering requirements will decrease, so be careful not to overwater your plants.
Humidity
Croton plants thrive in high humidity, ideally between 60-80%. To maintain this, regularly mist the plant or place a humidifier nearby, especially in dry environments.
Temperature
Croton plants should also be kept away from drafts and cold, as it cannot tolerate temperatures below 60 F. If it is exposed to temps lower than this, the croton will lose leaves and possibly die.
Difficulty Level
Medium
Common Problems Q&A
Why are my leaves wilting and dropping?
Leaf drop is likely due to stress. Stress can occur when a Croton is moved or transplanted. Crotons do not like change so the plant will experience shock. Give your croton some extra care and in a few weeks your plant should be thriving again. Croton plants are resilient!
Why are my leaves limp and drooping?
This is usually an easy fix. Croton plants like their soil to be consistently moist. If the soil dries out you may notice your croton leaves droop. After you water your plant the leaves should perk up shortly after!
Why are there brown spots on my leaves?
This is generally a sign of of a bacterial disease affecting your plant. We recommend cutting off any of the infected foliage and avoid having the leaves touch any other plants since this could further spread the bacteria.
