Crotons are versatile houseplants!
You can plant them in sun, in shade, indoors or outdoors. BUT they require some special care to thrive in your garden!
Follow these key tips to grow lush green crotons in your pots or ground.
CROTON CARE TIPS:
- Crotons need well-draining soil to thrive. Standing water kills them quicker than anything else.
- Croton plants do well in pots so that they can be moved around according to the weather.
- They are great as indoor plants!
- Do not over-fertilise. The leaves will burn.
- Keep the leaves clean to promote healthy growth.
- Crotons do not like too much water.
- They need ventilation.
- Remove dead leaves regularly to avoid diseases.
- Crotons are prone to mealy bugs. Use neem spray every month.
- They do not tolerate too much direct sun but appreciate well-lit spots.
COMMON CROTON GROWTH ISSUES AND THEIR SOLUTIONS
- LEAF BURN – Over-fertilisation or sudden exposure to sunlight. Move away from direct sun, change the soil and water thoroughly.
- MEALY BUGS – Spray a mixture of neem oil, hing & liquid soap with water, every week. Do this during the evening.
WHY DO CROTON LEAVES KEEP FALLING OFF? How to prevent leaf drop?
This is a natural process when the weather becomes too cold. The leaves are unable to handle the dropping temperature.
Don’t worry! As the weather warms up, new leaves will start emerging.
- To strengthen the plant and minimise leaf drop, add epsom salt every month and/or spray humic acid.
- Mulch the soil to minimise cold weather damage.
- Move to a warm spot or indoors.
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