Tips to take care of your croton plants at home
What's the story
Crotons are colorful tropical plants that can brighten up any indoor or outdoor space.
Characterized by their vibrant foliage, which exhibits a wide range of colors and patterns, crotons can serve as a beautiful focal point in your plant collection.
However, they need a bit of extra care to keep them looking their best.
Here are five key tips for growing healthy, radiant crotons.
Light requirements
Provide ample light
Crotons require a significant amount of bright, indirect sunlight to flourish and retain their vibrant colors.
Position them close to a window where they can get a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day.
Intense/direct sunlight can burn the leaves, while insufficient light can result in color fading and a leggy appearance.
Humidity needs
Maintain proper humidity levels
As tropical plants, crotons thrive in high humidity environments. They love it when the humidity level is between 40% and 80%.
If the environment is dry, consider using a humidifier or place your croton pot on a tray with pebbles and water to raise the moisture level around it.
While misting the leaves regularly can help maintain humidity, be careful not to overdo it as it may cause fungal problems.
Watering schedule
Water wisely
Water crotons when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
They like their soil to be consistently moist but they can't handle standing water.
Overwatering can cause root rot, but if you don't give them enough water, they won't be happy either. You will see leaf drop and wilting.
In winters, water them less frequently as they don't grow much.
Feeding frequency
Fertilize for growth and color
Fertilize your croton with a balanced liquid fertilizer every month during its active growing season in spring and summer.
Opt for a fertilizer that contains micronutrients, including magnesium and iron. These nutrients are crucial for sustaining the vibrant leaf colors of your croton.
During fall and winter, when growth slows down, reduce feeding to once every two months.
Potting tips
Repotting essentials
You should repot your croton every two years or when it becomes root-bound.
Use a well-draining tropical plant mix, and add perlite or vermiculite to enhance drainage.
Choose a pot one size larger than the current one when repotting. This allows the roots to expand without leaving too much space that could retain water and cause root issues.