My first encounter with a Croton, about 18 years ago, was very short-lived. During that period my green thumb was in its juvenile stages, there was no internet to conduct research, I didn’t have any plant-related books and none of my friends cared about indoor – or outdoor - plants. I was, up until that point, raising plants by using common sense. Or that’s what I liked to call it. Looking back now, it was more dumb luck than common sense that kept those plants alive.

But it wasn’t an inexperienced green thumb that ended my relationship with this beautiful plant prematurely. It was sheer ignorance. I tossed out a perfectly healthy plant because I just didn’t know any better. (But then again, I wonder if I would have tossed it out even if I had known better.)

Here’s the scoop on what happened with my first Croton...

There was a period in my plant growing life that I was totally (and happily) oblivious to the fact that indoor plants could suffer serious infestations. I knew that plants could get attacked, but I was under the impression that it was the outdoor ones that were typically victimized. And if by chance a critter snooped around the plants indoors, it certainly wouldn’t take up residence. Yes, I was very naïve at the time, blissfully unaware of the winged and multi-legged horrors that lurked in dark corners, ready to pounce on and devour my unsuspecting houseplants.

So it was not surprising how traumatized I was when I discovered millipedes poking their heads out of my Croton’s pot after I had just watered it. I almost dropped the plant and then had great difficulty picking it up again. I couldn’t stand the thought that my hand would touch the pot that touched the soil that touched the millipedes. I would be indirectly touching them, no? I did the only thing I could do: I whipped open a garbage bag, grabbed the edge of the plant’s container and quickly disposed of the Croton – pot and all. I realized later on that it’s not necessary (albeit calming) to dispose of a plant simply because its soil is contaminated by worms; the infestation can be dealt with. Too bad for the Croton.

But it was the period when I did not inspect my plants for problems (pests) because I wasn’t aware they could occur. Even when I noticed webs on some plants, I assumed that because they’d been sitting idly for so long, spiders had spun webs on them, like they would on anything else indoors. I’d simply take the plant to the sink, rinse its leaves clean and be merrily on my way (ignorance truly is bliss). I did not know that spider mites (the bane of a plant’s existence) had spun those webs. Nor was I aware (or concerned) about the other constant threats looming nearby. Whiteflies? What the heck are those? Mealybug? Huh? Fungus Gnats? You mean fruit flies? Aphids? Never heard of them. Scale? What the heck does what we weigh ourselves on have to do with plants? Do I have to weigh their pot to determine when to water them? Millipedes in a houseplant’s pot? Ridiculous! You get the picture...

Fast forward (quite) a few years later and you’ll find a jaded, paranoid houseplant grower that has built a fortress (around the houseplants) that is equipped with weapons of mass insect/pest destruction - insecticidal soaps, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, Q-Tips, spray bottles, bleach, mild soaps, soft cloths, sponges – in the ongoing battle against plantorism (infestation, the threat of infestation, or other harmful acts committed on indoor plants).

Just kidding...I think.

Fast forward (quite) a few years later and you’ll find an enthusiastic houseplant grower that is much more knowledgeable and experienced in indoor gardening. (Perhaps a little more cautious, even slightly suspicious, but enthusiastic nonetheless.) And in all those years, there have been ample opportunities to grow an assortment of colourful Crotons and learn about their care requirements. They also managed to stick around much longer than the original Croton did, with or without bugs.


Caring For A Dazzling Croton

Crotons are often referred to as easy-to-grow, perfect-for-beginners, undemanding plants. And they can be – if you equip yourself with some care information specific to their needs. If you don’t, they can be quite difficult. And they certainly won’t look their best, even if you manage to keep them alive with slapdash care. And although I personally recommend these plants to individuals with considerably more experience with indoor plants, even beginners can manage to grow one decently, if they take the time to learn and understand what’s required in growing a Croton.

Native to tropical areas such as Malaysia, Southern Asia and the PacificIslands, these gorgeous plants boast multicoloured foliage in shades of yellow, green, red, orange, brown and even pink. The ornamental leaves are also available in a variety of shapes and patterns. Crotons, if grown in ideal conditions, are fast-growing, capable of reaching heights of 3 to 5 feet within a couple of years.

One of the basic requirements for a healthy Croton is plenty of light. Although these plants will endure dimmer areas – for awhile – they do best in very bright ones. In the winter, try to place your plant in the sunniest spot available. A location that offers a few hours of direct or semi-direct (through a sheer curtain) light or a location that offers some early morning or late afternoon sun will suffice. If exposure to sunshine is not possible, choose a spot right in front of a window that is very bright. In the summer, caution is advised. Although a southern exposure will offer the adequate light that this plant prefers, the temperature may be too hot. Watch your plant for signs of stress and move it to another location if necessary. Always offer protection against the strong rays of the summer’s midday sun. Do not deprive this plant of the high levels of light that it needs. If you do, the leaves will lose their remarkable leaf coloration and revert to various shades of green. Crotons need plenty of light to maintain their multihued foliage.

Next in line of importance is humidity, which Crotons need plenty of. Keep the levels high by placing the plant on a pebble tray filled with water or by adding a humidifier nearby. You’ll likely run across many sources that recommend misting as a way of raising humidity. And although it does combat dry air, it’s temporary. You’d have to mist all day long for this method to be significantly effective. Because high levels of humidity are so vital to the overall wellbeing of this plant, practice methods that provide lasting relief. In addition to keeping a Croton healthy, higher levels of humidity help to deter spider mites, which this lovely plant is susceptible to.

For more information: Improving Humidity

The secret to watering a Croton properly is mastering the ‘not too much and not too little’ water juggling act. If the plant is constantly kept too wet, it will rot. On the other hand, the plant will drop leaves if it’s constantly kept too dry it. During the active growing season, always keep the soil evenly moist and never allow it to dry out completely. A Croton’s leaves will droop miserably if the medium is allowed to become bone-dry. Although the plant will bounce back after a generous watering, if you take too long showing up with the watering can, it might be inclined to decorate your floor with some of its healthy leaves. During the winter season, allow the soil to dry out a little more but never entirely. Always use an airy, fast-draining medium that will provide excellent drainage and help prevent rot.

Temperature fluctuations and cold drafts are something to be avoided, both of which can cause leaf drop. Choose a location that is warm but not too hot; average room temperatures are generally sufficient. Providing suitable temperatures is important; if a Croton is grown in a room that is too cold, it may drop many of its leaves, possibly all of them.

And finally, keep an eye out for Spider Mites. As mentioned above, Crotons are very prone to attacks by these persistent plant pests. This information is not meant to discourage you from growing one of these charming plants; it’s meant to alert you to a problem that can be avoided with preventive measures. Avoid infestations by inspecting this plant regularly and cleaning its leaves, over and under, as often as possible. Make sure there is adequate ventilation to discourage stagnant air, which creates a haven for pests. Keep the air fresh and in constant motion by running floor or ceiling fans, and by opening up windows regularly. Keep humidity high, water properly and avoid rooms that are too hot, which invite spider mites, or too cold, which stress and weaken the plant.

Keeping your plant in tiptop shape is the best deterrent against infestations because (I know I’ve said this many times before, but I’m going to say it again): “A healthy plant utilizes its own resources to defend itself against infestations while a plant under stress is much more vulnerable to them.”


Transplanting To Hydroculture

Crotons are wonderful candidates for the hydroculture way of growing houseplants that replaces soil with clay pellets. And a growing method that eliminates soil completely also eliminates the water juggling act associated with it. When transplanting, make sure you eliminate all traces of soil from the roots to avoid rot.

Conversion is fairly quick (water roots will emerge within a month) but the plant will begin to show signs of stress within a few short days after it’s been removed from soil (and it realizes what’s going on). Two of the most probable reactions are wilting and minimal leaf dropping. But whether your Croton sheds a couple of leaves or hangs over its pot miserably, do not give up on it. The dramatic display is temporary and the plant will bounce back as soon as it forms water roots. In the meantime, make sure you provide plenty of humidity to aid in the process.



When the basic needs of this plant are met - ample light, high humidity, suitable temperatures and careful watering – it can be grown successfully. And a well-grown Croton - with a stem full of vividly-coloured foliage - is one of the most eye-catching plants you’ll ever introduce inside your home.

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