Croton 6"

Crotons are a colourful plant. With its variegated foliage and limitless leaf forms it is a beautiful addition to any plant collection. Growing these plants indoors can be a challenge, but as long as you are mindful of their eccentricities, you will have a colourful point of interest in your home.

Temperature is key, Crotons prefer a consistent level of warmth. Ideally they would like the ambient temperature to be between 20°C and 26°C.  Do not allow the plant to be exposed to temperatures below 15°C as this will cause it to lose its leaves. They are also humidity loving plants, preferring humidity levels to be anywhere between 40% and 80%. Crotons want misting on a daily basis during their growing season. If desired, a pebble tray with water at about half an inch high beneath your plant will help keep humidity levels up.

Crotons prefer bright indirect light. Placing it in an east facing window or a few feet away from a south or west facing window should do the trick.

Wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering. Crotons want their soil to be evenly moist throughout the summer, approximately 1 inch of water per week. Reduce water in winter to every two weeks. Be sure to provide your plant with well draining potting soil and use pots with plentiful drainage holes. 

Generally speaking, all plants want food. Crotons do well with a slow release pellet fertilizer that should be applied three times per growing season. Early spring, mid summer and early fall. If you choose to use a liquid fertilizer be sure to reduce the recommended amount by half. Do not fertilize during the winter months.

Within the first three growing seasons of the plant, repot every year in early spring. After that, only repot your plant when it is evident that it is becoming root bound.  Look for roots poking out of the drainage holes, or growing at soil level.

This plant is toxic to pets and humans, be sure to keep away from curious pets and small children.