The Final Guide to Croton Plant Care

Croton plants are easy to care for and are a good tropical indoor plant that can survive for many years with the right heat!

Croton is scientifically known as Codiaeum variegatum and is characterized by its bright purple, cream, black, red, orange, and yellow colors. Croton variants include Corkscrew, Stoplight, Red Bravo, Gold Dust Croton, Zanzibar, Red Isoton, Petra, Mummy, Fantastic, and Sloppy painter. They all need different and specialized croton plant care.

The croton plant is generally compared to the fiddle leaf figure because of its high maintenance reputation. Most first owners complain that the croton plant has lost some of its leaves after the first few weeks, which is quite normal, so you need not fear if this happens. Simply remove the dead leaves and with proper care and a little TLC, your croton will grow new colorful leaves.

Tips for maintaining croton

1. Soil composition: Croton plant thrives in fertile soils with peat moss and organic manure. The soil and pot water should drain well as it does not respond properly to sitting in wet soil or pond.

2. Croton diet: The soil mixture in its pot should contain slowly releasing granular fertilizer and low nitrogen. Feed once every spring and summer, which means you should not feed in the winter. Follow the table and the amount of fertilizer, because feeding too much croton can lead to fertilizer burn.

3. Sunlight: Your exotic plant needs six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. So, make sure it is placed in an area that is accessible to direct bright light. Some croton variations tolerate short stays in the shade.

If the croton leaves lose their vibrant color, it means that the plant has limited access to direct sunlight. On the other hand, take care not to expose the plant to too much sunlight, as this will cause brown spots on its leaves.

Water Needed Do not allow your croton plant to remain in dry soil for long periods of time. Water weekly or daily after checking if the soil is dry. Be extra careful by making sure the soil is evenly moist in the summer when the heat is high. Summer and spring are the peak growing seasons so your croton will need more water than the fall and winter months. Watch the leaves dry. Like most plants, excessive watering can cause root rot. The best way to find out how much water to give your croton is to look at the soil in its pot - it needs more if there is no moisture above! You need to monitor their leaves for signs of dehydration such as brown edges or withered leaves, which means they need a drink soon.

Humidity and Temperature Requirements: A croton houseplant grows at 40% to 80% humidity. It's like the humidity in the bathroom. To maintain this humidity, you can place it near a humidifier or frost frequently. Its optimum growing temperature is approximately 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Like all houseplants, avoid cold drafts from windows/doors / AC units and strong dry air from a heater.

Pot: Croton experiences stress and trauma when moving, so it is often not reported. Its leaves prevent it from falling off. Croton is advised to reuse the pot only when its roots are overgrown or when it is most needed. Using a pot with drainage holes will help prevent root rot because the soil can drain excess water.

Eggplant: They are cut to form or remove unhealthy parts of the plant affected by pests and adverse conditions. When pruning, cut off one-third of the stem, not too much. Tip: The croton home plant experiences stress and shock when moving, thus losing its leaves and foliage.

Insects: This brightly colored plant is susceptible to insect attacks such as thrips, spider mites, scales, and mealybugs. To avoid serious infections, you can clean your plant frequently to prevent pests with the help of a cotton ball and alcohol. Gently clean the croton with the help of an alcohol-soaked cotton ball. Alternatively, it can be cleaned using neem oil and water.

Toxicity: This plant is highly toxic, especially to its seeds, pets, and humans. So, this is for pets and children Make sure it is placed in an inaccessible area.