Plant Care Guides / Indoor / Moderate Care
The croton is one of the most colourful foliage plants you can grow indoors. Its thick, glossy leaves come in vivid combinations of green, yellow, orange, red and even deep purple, sometimes all on the same plant. It makes a bold statement in a bright room, but it has a reputation for being a bit temperamental, which is why it sits in the moderate category rather than easy.
Crotons dislike change. Moving them to a new spot, repotting, or even a sudden temperature shift can cause them to drop leaves dramatically. Once you find a spot it is happy in, leave it there. It will settle and the leaves will come back. The sap is milky and can irritate skin, so handle with care.
Bright light, including some direct sun, is essential. The intense leaf colours only develop in good light. In a dim spot, new leaves come through green and the existing colours fade. A sunny windowsill or a spot with strong morning light is ideal.
Keep the soil evenly moist through the growing season, but not waterlogged. Let the top centimetre dry out between waterings. Reduce in winter. Crotons like humidity, and in dry air the lower leaves tend to drop. Mist regularly and keep it away from heaters and air conditioners.
Feed every two weeks through spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser.
Repot in spring only when it has clearly outgrown its pot. Use a rich, well-draining potting mix. Avoid repotting unnecessarily, because the disruption often causes leaf drop.
Ask about availability. We keep a changing range of indoor plants. WhatsApp us to see what is in store, or pop in and we will help you choose.
