Light
Bright to intense light |
Soil
Well drained |
Water
Evenly moist, but not soggy. Allow to dry slightly between waterings, but never allow to dry out completely |
Habit
2 to 6 feet (.61 m) tall to 1 to 3 feet (.91 m) wide |
Flowers
Yes, fuzzy, ball-shaped flowers in summer. Grown mainly for its outstanding foliage |
Possible Problems
May attract spider mites, mealybug, or scale if stressed
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Comments:
Croton needs bright, intense light to keep its outstanding leaf coloration. In lower light areas, the leaves will fade and the plant will be stressed.
Croton love warm temperatures; keep above 60° F (15.5° C) all year long. It also needs very high humidity (65% or above) to keep its attractive foliage, and to stay healthy.
Dropping leaves can mean the plant needs more consistent temperatures, that the air around it is too dry, or that the plant is in a draft. Croton leaves will shrivel in air that is too hot and dry. If you overwater, the stem can rot and the leaves will droop.
A good plant to use in groupings to create a focal point in a room.
Feed every other month during the summer with a balanced, soluble fertilizer; do not fertilize in the winter months when it is not actively growing.
Repot in the spring if needed, and remove any yellow or dead leaves to keep neat and clean. Prune back to keep size and shape, and to keep bushy.
Mature plants don't tolerate being moved well and can lose their leaves, even die, but young plants are fairly adaptable and can be moved fairly easily.
Crotons are slightly poisonous, so keep them out of reach of children and pets.
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