The croton plant indoors adds liveliness with it’s beautiful dark red or yellow foliage. Native to tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean, crotons enjoy warm and humid climates. In addition, Codiaeum variegatum has air-purification qualities and effectively removes chemicals such as formaldehyde from the atmosphere. Croton care can be tricky, because they are picky about their environment.
With the following tips, you can learn how to grow thriving crotons.
See other plant specific care guides here.
Name | Codiaeum variegatum Croton, Joseph’s Coat, Wonder Tree |
| Sunlight | 4 to 5 hours of bright light to bring out it’s vivid colors Is tolerant of shade, but leaves might be duller |
| Water | Keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet, during the summer and spring when it is growing During the winter, allow the top inch of soil to dry Leaves will droop when they need a drink and perk up after watering |
| Soil | Choose a soil that retains moisture with adequate drainage |
| Temperature | Thrives in the warmth: room temperature is best Do not keep at temperatures lower than 50 °F (10 °C) |
| Humidity | Likes high humidity |
| Propagation | Propagate crotons from stem cuttings (although this can be difficult!) |
| Dormancy | Winter dormant (water less during this time) |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, dogs and children |
General croton information
Chances are, you have already seen a croton plant around because they are quite popular. Their vibrant colors and unique patterns add a burst of color and tropical feel to any room, drawing your attention immediately. The waxy coating on their leaves further highlights their unique shades.
Crotons have thick, glossy leaves with varying colors and patterns. The bright foliage is due to anthocyanin pigment. Shades include red, yellow, orange, purple, and green. As the plant ages, the leaves turn darker in color. My favorite part of crotons is that no two leaves are the exact same color or pattern: it truly is a unique plant.
Croton plants can flower during the early fall months, but their blooms are quite small and not too exciting. It is uncommon for crotons grown indoors to flower.
Fun fact: crotons get their name from the Greek word “croton”, which means tick because they have tick-like seeds.
Growth
Crotons are moderately fast growers, and may reach heights of up to 10 feet depending on the species. There are also dwarf varieties that grow about 3 feet tall.
Leaves will grow about 4 to 6 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide.
Croton sunlight needs
Keep your croton in an area that receives at least 4 to 5 hours of bright sunlight per day because it will help bring out the leaf’s vivid colors.
The brighter the sun, the brighter the colors on the leaves of your croton. Just make sure the leaves are not directly touching the window because they will get burned.
While tolerant of partial shade, the leaves may become dull or green in color with inadequate sunlight. If you really want your croton to have vibrant colors, you will need to place it in a bright, sunny area.
When moving your plant from a shady area to one with more light, increase the light exposure over a few days time. Directly transferring from shade to bright sun can burn the leaves.
Indoors, dust collects on the leaves of your croton, interfering with it’s ability to absorb sunlight. Periodically wash the leaves with a wet towel to keep them clean.
Temperature & Humidity
Since they are native to tropical climates, it is no surprise that crotons thrive in warm areas with high humidity. If you have a sunny bathroom that needs a plant, the croton would make a wonderful addition.
If your air is really dry, any of the following techniques increase humidity and help crotons thrive:
- Misting the leaves every so often with a spray bottle
- Putting a humidifier nearby
- Placing a bowl filled with water next to the pot. The evaporating moisture increases humidity
- Putting your croton in a room with naturally high humidity (such as the bathroom)
Crotons grow well at room temperature (60 to 75°F or 15 to 24°C). For optimal croton care indoors, do not let the temperature drop below 60 °F (15.5 °C). If the temperature is too cold, your croton will drop many of it’s bottom leaves, leaving you with a funky-looking palm tree (I am unfortunately speaking from experience).
If your croton does end up dropping several leaves due to cold weather, move it to a warmer area and in a few weeks, new leaves will grow.
Do not keep your croton near an air-conditioning vent or heater because that could dry it out.
Moving your croton outside during the summer
If you want your croton to enjoy the warm summer months outside, transition it to more sun over the span of a few days. Start off by moving the plant onto a shady patio and slowly increase the light it receives.
Moving your indoor croton directly from shade to bright sun will damage the plant.
Watering
Crotons grow from March to September and are dormant during the winter. Therefore, their watering needs to be tweaked based on the season.
Watering during the spring and summer
Since the croton enjoys humid environments, allow the soil to remain consistently moist (but not soaking wet) during these months. If you notice the top inch of soil is dry, it is time to water.
However, be careful not to over water your plant because that could lead to root rot. The soil should never be soaking wet. Do not allow the plant to sit in standing water.
If your pot has a drainage hole, discard any water that comes out of it- do not allow the plant to sit in a saucer full of water.
Watering during the winter
Winter months require less frequent watering. You can let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again.
Take extra caution not to over water during this time to prevent rot.
General watering tips
Be aware that brighter, drier conditions will require more frequent watering than more humid or darker conditions.
I like to look at the leaves to tell me when to water. When crotons are thirsty, their leaves will droop and point downwards. After a good drink, their leaves will perk up again (it is quite a dramatic plant).
Soil
The ideal soil maintains moisture and provides adequate drainage. A regular houseplant potting soil will work well for your croton.
Potting
Choose a pot that is about 1/3 larger than the plant’s roots. Do not choose a pot larger than this because it could drown the roots.
Repot your croton when you see roots growing through the drainage hole, or popping up in the soil, as these are signs it has outgrown it’s pot.
It is best to repot during the spring time. Just be warned that your croton might drop a few leaves after repotting due to shock. When repotting, try to minimize disrupting the roots, and put it in a soil similar to the one it was previously in.
If your croton does drop leaves after repotting, give it some time to adjust to it’s new container. It will begin to grow new leaves after a few months.
Pruning croton plants
To encourage new growth, cut the branches to desired height and soon they will fill out with leaves.
Remember to wear gloves when pruning because the milky sap from the cut branches causes skin irritation.
Fertilizing
Fertilize your croton once a month during the spring and summer time. Do not fertilize during the winter.
Propagation
To propagate a croton, follow the following steps:
- Obtain a cutting. The optimal cutting will be about 4 inches long and have at least 3 to 4 leaves on it.
- Allow the open cut to dry out for several hours.
- Plant the croton cutting in a pot with fresh potting soil. Secure the soil around the cutting.
- Keep the pot in a warm environment and water enough to keep the top inch of soil moist.
- It will take about a month or two for your cutting to develop roots. Do not disrupt the cutting this time.
Warm, moist environments promote propagation growth. Try putting a Ziploc bag with holes poked in it as a cover around the plant to replicate greenhouse conditions and promote moisture. Water regularly to encourage root growth.
Croton propagation is difficult, so don’t get discouraged if you do not have any luck the first time!
Croton Toxicity
Crotons have a white, milky sap that is poisonous, so keep them out of reach of curious children, cats, or dogs. It can cause skin irritation if it makes contact or gastrointestinal irritation if ingested.
As long as the plant is out of reach, it is safe to have around. It is a good idea to wear gloves whenever repotting or pruning the plant to minimize contact.
Pests
Fortunately, crotons pretty resistant to pests and diseases.
Occasionally, you may have a problem with pests such as mealybugs, spider mites or scale.
Signs of infestation include:
- Sticky, white webbing
- Little brown dots on the leaves
- White substance that looks like wool
- Black powder on the leaves
Check your plant closely for any pests. They especially like to hang out in the nooks and crannies and can be difficult to spot. As soon as you notice signs of infestation, quarantine your croton away from other plants to prevent spread.
Treatment
Aphids
Wipe the leaves with a soapy hot water solution (1 liter of water mixed with 1 tablespoon of soap) and wash the plant with high pressure water.
Mealy bugs
Dab a q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol at any bugs you see (don’t worry, the rubbing alcohol will not harm your plants).
You will have to repeat this process once every couple of days for a few weeks to completely get rid of the infestation.
Croton plant varieties
There several croton varieties, each with unique colors, leaf shapes and patterns. Leaf shape ranges from wide, lobed, narrow, or oval. Leaf patterns can be striped, spotted, or veined. Some of the most common croton varieties include:
- Codiaeum variegatum ‘Gold Dust’: bright yellow specks on green leaves
- Codiaeum variegatum ‘Magnificent’: green leaves with vibrant specks of red, orange and gold
- Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mammy’: twisted and curly leaves
- Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mother and Daughter’: long, narrow and pointy leaves
- Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’: one of the most common crotons, ‘Petra’ has red, orange or bright yellow veined leaves
- Codiaeum variegatum ‘Red Iceton’: bright red-colored veins
- Codiaeum variegatum ‘Yellow Iceton’: bright green leaves with yellow variegation
- Codiaeum variegatum ‘Zanzibar’: long, narrow leaves with splashes of red, orange and gold
Croton Care Indoors FAQ
Why do crotons drop leaves?
Leaves drop when your croton is stressed or adjusting to a new environment. This is a very common croton care problem and it has several different causes:
- Cold temperatures
- Low humidity
- Overwatering
- Underwatering
- Repotting
- Changing the plant’s location
If you have recently repotted your croton or moved it to a new location, that is probably the reason it is dropping leaves. Do not worry- this is normal. Just give your croton a few weeks to settle into it’s new habitat and start producing new growth.
If you have not recently changed the plant’s location, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of leaf drop, especially because there may be more than one contributing factor. Look for hints in your croton that may point you in a specific direction:
- Signs of overwatering: your croton frequently sits in a pool of water, or there a lot of water coming out of the drainage hole (if the pot has one). If this is the case, reduce the frequency of your watering (remember to let the top inch of soil dry in the winter). Discard water that comes out of the drainage hole- do not allow your croton to sit in it.
- Signs of underwatering: your croton’s leaves are wilted and pointing downwards, or they may look dried up with brown tips. If you find you are constantly misting or watering your plant, try transplanting it into higher quality soil that better retains moisture.
- Signs of low humidity: the croton’s leaves have brown tips. Make sure your croton is not near a vent or heater because that increases dryness. Try misting your leaves more frequently with a spray bottle.
- Signs of cold temperature: brown edges on the leaf, or a lot of leaves are lost from the bottom. Move your croton to a warmer area with more sun.
On the bright side, crotons are pretty resilient and may be able to recover. Continue to provide your plant with bright sun, proper watering, and monitor for pests. Even though your plant may look bare and sad right now, in several weeks, you will probably see new leaf growth with proper care.
Why are my croton leaves green?
Crotons need several hours of bright sunlight to bring out their beautiful red, yellow, and bronze colors. In low light, their leaves will remain green and the waxy coating will lose it’s shine.
Slowly transition your croton into an area with more light over a few days (not too quickly so that is does not sunburn!). You will notice more vibrant colors in your leaves after a while.
How do I revive a dying croton?
It can be difficult to save a croton with root rot. The following steps will help your croton heal:
- Reduce the frequency of your watering. Only water when the top few inches of soil are dry.
- Do not repot when the soil is wet because that will damage the roots
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light.
- Remove any leaves that are entirely brown. Snip the stem right at it’s base.
- Monitor the plant for signs of pests.
After that, it is just a waiting game. Hopefully, your croton will have new growth after a few weeks.
That is everything you need to know about croton care indoors! With their bright, glossy leaves, croton plants will make a statement in any house. Provide your croton with bright sunlight, a humid atmosphere, and warm temperatures for it to thrive.
See other plant specific care guides here.
Do you have a croton? Leave a picture in the comments, I would love to see it! Have any questions I did not answer? Let me know down below!
