How Often To Water Croton

The croton plant requires frequent watering, but be sure not to over-water. Too much water can cause root rot, but too little water can dry the humidity-loving plant out. You can use new croton foliage as an indicator of water needs, as it will begin to wilt when thirsty.

How much water does a croton need?

The University of Florida IFAS Extension recommends providing 1 inch of water each week to garden-grown croton plants. Watch the plant for signs that it needs more water such as slight wilting in the young foliage. Increase watering if the wilting happens during hot weather, but check the soil moisture first.

How do I know if my croton is overwatered?

Croton may die due to over watering causing root rot or underwatering insert your finger into the

Does croton need direct sunlight?

Crotons need a lot of light (up to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day). Your croton will do best if you put it in the brightest spot in your house.

What does an Underwatered croton look like?

Normally when a plant's leaves are wilting this means it needs more water, however, if you notice your Croton Petra's leaves are wilting, you may be watering too much. If the bottom leaves of the plant dry out and fall off, you are not watering enough.

Should I water my croton from the bottom?

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

Do crotons like to be misted?

As with most indoor plants, Crotons love moisture in the air -- the wetter, the better. The goal should be a 60% humidity level throughout the year. You can place your plants atop a tray filled with water and pebbles or use a humidifier. Misting their leaves is a temporary help but usually doesn't suffice.

Why do croton leaves fall off?

Heat and humidity – Croton plants are tropicals, meaning they thrive in warm and humid conditions. If your croton's leaves fall off, it could be that it's been exposed to cold or hot extremes such as open doors or air ducts. A humidifier or a regular misting with distilled water will help your croton feel at home.

Do crotons like bigger pots?

Potting and Repotting Croton Plants Get a container with ample drainage holes. It should be only one size larger than the plant's current container.

Why is my croton unhappy?

Under watering, over watering or cold temperatures are usually the cause for a dying croton plant. Temperatures lower then 50ºF cause the crotons leaves to drop and the plant to die back. Under watering and low humidity can cause the leaves to turn yellow, die back and drop off.

Why does my croton look sad?

Crotons prefer their soil to stay consistently moist. Be sure you're not over or underwatering your plant. Keep a consistent watering schedule–water when the top 2”-3” of the soil are dry. If you accidentally let your Croton's soil dry out completely, you may see leaves go limp, droop, and possibly drop.

Can an overwatered plant fix itself?

Overwatered plants can sometimes recover on their own, but it depends on the plant and the extent of the overwatering. If the roots have rotted, the plant will likely not recover. However, if the overwatering has only caused the leaves to wilt, the plant may be able to bounce back.

Where is the best place to put a croton plant?

Place croton in a sunny location such as an eastern, southern, or western window. If a croton is getting too little light, its newer leaves will be less colorful. Keep the soil evenly moist, but let it dry out between waterings.

Are crotons hard to care for?

Crotons have a reputation for being a little fussy. They're evergreen shrubs native to Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia, which gives plenty of clues about their care – they need lots of bright light, warmth and humidity in order to thrive.

Can crotons get too much sun?

Crotons need lots of bright sun to maintain their colorful leaves, but they can burn in excessively hot, harsh light if exposed all day. The ideal location is an east- or west-facing window that gets 6 to 8 hours of direct sun every day. Crotons that get too much direct sunlight may end up with scorched leaves.

How do I know if I'm Underwatering my plants?

Signs of Underwatering:

1. Drooping leaves that look completely lifeless can be a sign of underwatering.
2. Soil pulling away from the outsides of the pot is another indicator that your plant may be underwatered.
3. Drying out too quickly could mean that your plant may need to be repotted.

How do you make a croton bushier?

Pinch off the new tiny leaves the pinching of the leaves will force the plant to produce 2-3 new

Can I put my croton plant in the bathroom?

Like most houseplants, crotons appreciate humidity. A kitchen or bathroom may be the best place for this plant, but if you can't manage that, misting the leaves or a pebble tray can help keep the foliage properly hydrated.

Do crotons like small pots?

Croton plants don't enjoy being potted in plants much larger than their root balls. Like most tropical houseplants that adapted to growing in the roots of bigger trees, they prefer a slightly crowded container or pot. Stick to a container just 1 inch bigger than the root ball each time you repot the plant.

How do you encourage new leaves on croton?

By periodically trimming back bare or spindly branches and pinching growth tips on your Croton, you will encourage the plant to produce new healthy branches and leaves, while controlling the plant's size and bushy shape.