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Croton Plant Care
Codiaeum variegatum
Basic Croton Plant Care
One thing that is really unique about Croton Plants is that they are genetically unstable. This means that all plants look slightly unique. Below you will find our complete Croton Plant care guide with all the information and tips you need to help your plant thrive.
Bright Indirect Light
I love the sunshine but too much direct light will damage my leaves.
Water Moderately
I don't like my soil to be too dry or too soggy. Little and often is what I'm after.
Medium Humidity
Please make sure the air isn't too dry, otherwise I won't be a happy plant.
Potting Soil
I need soil specifically for indoor plants as it retains the right amount of water.
Detailed Croton Plant Care Information
Whether you're looking to make sure your Croton Plant is in it's perfect conditions, or looking to see if one could work for your space. We've got you covered.
Croton Plants love bright, indirect light
Although they can survive in medium light areas, Croton Plants love bright, indirect light more than anything. Be careful not to place them in direct sunshine as this can scorch and burn the leaves.
Keep the soil evenly moist
We recommend watering your Croton Plant once a week in the warmer growth months and reducing this to twice a month during autumn and winter. Croton Plants also like their leaves to be misted every once in a while.
Croton Plants need a warm environment
Croton Plants are a little sensitive to the cold and will prefer room temperature or above. Be extra careful not to place your plant near a drafty door or window as the cold air from outside can cause stress and shock.
Only fertilise in the growing season
This rule goes for most houseplants, but you should only fertilize your Croton Plant in the warmer months of spring and summer as the plant will usually go into a dormant period over winter.
Leaf colours depend on sunlight levels
By increasing the intensity of sunlight, you can actually make your Croton Plant produce more vibrant leaves. If there are no real patterns or colours in the leaves, you might want to move it to a sunnier spot.
Repot your Croton Plant in spring
It is best to repot your Croton Plant in spring, right before the growing period. Choose a pot a few centimetres larger in diameter and add a few small handfuls of good draining soil to the bottom before carefully lifting the plant in.
Mist your Croton Plant to avoid pests
If you live in a home with quite low humidity levels, you might want to think about misting your plant. This reduces the risk that your Croton Plant will get infested with spider mites.
Croton Plants are mildly toxic to pets
Although it won’t cause long term damage for your pet, ingesting part of a Croton Plant will cause stomach issues and vomiting so try to keep your plant away from your furry friends.
Propagate your Croton Plant using a stem cutting
Croton Plants can be easily propagated by cutting off part of the stem and placing it in water. After a few weeks, roots should develop and your cutting can be placed into soil. Occasionally your Croton Plant will produce offshoots which can be divided from the mother plant. Because the Croton Plant family is quite genetically unstable, the offshoots may not always look the same as the mother plant.
Croton Plant FAQs
Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the Croton Plant.
Croton Plants can survive in medium to bright but indirect light levels. You want to avoid exposing them to intense direct sunlight though as this will scorch and discolour those incredible leaves.
You want to water your Croton Plant enough so that the potting mix stays evenly moist. This requires a little but often watering approach to avoid waterlogged or bone dry soil. On average you’ll want to water once a week in the warmer months and cut back to twice a month in autumn and winter.
Unfortunately, the Croton Plant is mildly toxic when ingested and will cause some stomach irritation.
Once your Croton Plant has adapted to its environment and you’ve found a good spot for it, they can become very low maintenance houseplants.
Croton Plant Care Starter Kit
We've put together this great little starter kit that includes all of the equipment and information you'll need to take proper care of your Croton Plant.
Common Problems with your Croton Plant
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
If you notice your Croton Plant dropping quite a few leaves, it may be due to a lack of humidity or shock from cold temperatures. Find out more about how to increase the humidity for your Croton Plant in our humidity guide.
The unique patterns and colours on a Croton Plant are formed in humid and bright environments. If you find your Croton Plant’s leaves are quite dull in appearance, try increasing the humidity or moving it closer to a window.
Simple Croton Plant Care Requirements
It sometimes helps to take caring for your plants back to the basics, here's the key considerations that you should take into account when caring for your Codiaeum variegatum.
These simple points should give you all you need to keep your plant happy and healthy for years to come.
| Common Name | Croton Plant |
| Latin Name | Codiaeum variegatum |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light |
| Water | Water Moderately |
| Humidity | Medium Humidity |
| Soil Type | Potting Soil |
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Related Plants
Here are some other plants that will work in similar conditions, or have some matching qualities.
