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Growing Croton Plants: Watering, Lighting, Repotting, and Pests
How to Care for Croton
- Place croton in a sunny location such as an eastern, southern, or western window. If croton is getting too little light, its newer leaves will be less colorful.
- Keep the soil evenly moist, but let it dry out between waterings.
- If humidity is low in your home, mist around the leaves with water once a week or keep a tray of wet gravel near the plant.
- Croton leaves are dust magnets. Gently wipe the leaves with a moist cloth twice a month to keep them clean and dust-free.
- Fertilize the plant in spring and summer while the plant is actively growing. In fall and winter, fertilize more sparingly or refrain from fertilizing altogether.
- New croton plants can be started with 4- to 6-inch stem cuttings. Remove the bottom leaves and place the cutting in a glass of water. After roots have formed, plant in a small pot.
- Repot the plant in the spring if it has grown too large for its current pot.
Catherine Boeckmann
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Most of my leaves are falling off my plant. I water it once a week just like another one just like it. it is in a wicker basket. do I need to repot it and put a different type of soil in it? I have had it since September 24 from the flower shop today is November 13th.
I have had my plant since September and then the leaves began to fall off. However, new leaves began to bud but soon dried out before they were able to come out completely. Please Help!
Hi Angela,
There are many factors that can affect your croton plant’s growth. They can be sensitive so it is really important to be consistent with your care. Improper watering can greatly impact your croton and cause it stress. Crotons thrive when supplied with the right amount of moisture. They should be watered only when the top half-inch to an inch of soil dries out. Too much or too little water can impact new growth. That is also why a well-draining medium is vital. They need bright, indirect light (but will do well with a few hours of direct Sun). They require warm temperatures and do not like temperature fluctuations, and need moderate to high humidity. While not heavy feeders, they do require some fertilization to provide the necessary nutrients for continued growth.
was wondering how big a pot to put my pretty croton in......the pot i bought it in is very small....i love this plant.....need more
In general, a new pot should provide 2-3 inches of space for new soil between the rootball and the side of the pot, on all sides of the rootball.
Leaves keep dropping which look healthy and 1 of the stems has nodules of sap. What is the sap?
Thank you
I believe I have a croton plant. I'm wondering what the tiny spike like things are. A few of them look like new leaves growing at the tip of them. Hope I can get this figured out. Thank you.
I believe there is a variety of croton (Mammy?) that will grow new leaves. It’s not abnormal.
Should I replant my croton in potting soil or tropical potting soil?? It's about a foot long
I have some crotons in my back yard I planted about 4 years ago. The nursery called them sloppy painter crotons; from the description above, I think they might be Eleanore Roosevelt. They have a thin green leaf and uneven yellow spots like paint splotches. I recently noticed some of the tops have a bumpy dark area (sort of moldy looking). Could anyone tell me what that might be and how should I treat it? I love these in my garden and would like them to last. My first thought is to treat them with Neem Oil
