Croton Plants an Introduction

Thanks for checking out our caring for a Croton guide. Whether you already have a Croton plant and are in need of some help, or thinking about buying one, this guide will provide you with a range of simple tips and pointers to help make Croton indoor plant care simple.

Croton Benefits

There are a wide range of reasons why you should add a Croton plant to your collection! Here are just a few reasons why we think a roton plant is a great addition to your collection:

Vibrant Leaves: They are an easy way to add a pop of colour to a space or spot in your home or office.

Air Purifying: As well as looking great, they also have health benefits too!

Adaptable: As long as they are receiving bright, indirect light they will be happy in a range of positions within an indoor setting. They even tolerate some direct sun!

Croton Houseplant Products

A Guide to Codiaeum Houseplants

We love supporting customers of all abilities here at Small Indoor Plants, whether you are a beginner or an experienced plant enthusiast, this guide will help you to successfully grow and maintain beautiful Croton plants in your home.

We hope you enjoy our comprehensive guide to Codiaeum houseplants! We aim to provide you with the key information to help you care for Croton house plants as well as introduce you to some popular Croton varieties including some of our favourites.

We have have great range if your are looking to Buy Croton Plants too.

Need a Croton plant care kit? It includes everything you need to keep your Croton plant roots, leaves and soil in top condition so your plant will look great!

Buy our Croton Plant care kit.

Croton Plant Care Guide

Croton plants are also referred to as, codiaeum croton plants and codiaeum variegatum plants, we just wanted to give you a heads up as these names will crop up throughout this care for a croton guide.

Croton plants are a popular choice as they are the show offs of the house plant world! An eccentric range of colourful leaves that ooze personality and are perfect to bring a tropical vibe to an indoor space. They also have air purifying properties as well as being relatively simple to care for!

Just here for the plants? Check out our range of Croton Plants.

Codiaeums as Indoor Plants

Caring for a Croton Plant

Establishing a regular croton plant care routine is essential for the health of your croton plants. By considering the needs of your plant, you can understand its main requirements and so your croton plants should be able to thrive.

Croton Plant Light Requirements

Croton light requirements are fairly simple. They thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Near a window should make a perfect spot. You need to be mindful of too much direct sunlight though as this can scorch the leaves.

If your codiaeum variegatum light requirements are not being met, you may see the leaves becoming dull or lose some of their colour. Don’t worry, this is easy to fix - move your plant to a sunny spot and the bright colours should come back to life.


Croton Watering Requirements

Croton plant watering can sometimes be tricky to get right. These plants like their soil to be constantly moist but not waterlogged.

How Often to Water Croton Plants?

You should allow the top inch of the soil to dry out before watering again.

How to Water Croton Plant?

It is best to water these plants from the top, so that any excess water can drain out of the bottom of the pot.

A quick way to assess your watering of these plants is:

If you see the roots rotting when repotting = overwatering

Leaves wilting and dropping = underwatered

If you need some extra guidance, then a Watering Indicator is the perfect tool to incorporate into your watering routine.

Croton Plant Temperature

Croton plants are most content in a room with a temperature between 60°F and 85°F (15°C and 29°C).

You should avoid exposing your plants to cold drafts or temperatures below 55°F (13°C), as the croton temperature tolerance for lower temperatures is not great and may lead to the leaves dropping off.

Croton Humidity Requirements

Do Crotons like Humidity?

Yes, as well as preferring a warm room temperature, croton plants love high humidity levels.

There are several ways to maintain a high croton plant humidity level.

One of the most popular and easiest ways is to use Houseplant myst. It comes in a handy sized bottle and is ready to use when needed.

You could also consider the use of a tray filled with water and clay pebbles to increase the humidity levels.

Croton Plant Fertilizer

During the spring and summer months, we recommended using a croton fertilizer on your plants every 2 to 4 weeks.

Houseplant focus fertiliser is perfect for this job.

Soil for Crotons

Best Soil for Crotons?

The best type of soil for Croton plants is a free-draining soil, that also retains moisture.

A peat-free houseplant soil such as Houseplant focus repotting mix makes an excellent choice for these types of plants.

We would also suggest the use of both perlite and Vermiculite. Adding these into your codiaeum variegatum soil should help to improve drainage and moisture retention respectively.

Croton Plant Pruning

Pruning a croton plant is an essential part of its care and will help to improve the overall appearance and health of your plant.

How to Prune a Croton Plant?

Any dead or yellowing leaves should be removed using clean, sharp pruning snips. We would also suggest removing any leggy or overgrown leaves by the same process. This should help to encourage further growth.

Croton & Codiaeum

Popular Crotons Plants

There are various croton types and croton varieties available with a range of unique features.

Here are a few we think you will not want to miss:

Croton Gold Dust

Also known as Codiaeum Aucubaefolia, Croton Gold Dust gets it name from the gold variegations on its leaves that are said to resemble gold dust. This plant loves light, and its leaves should become more colourful during sunny months.

 

Croton Iceton

Croton Iceton is a real showstopper, with its colourful green and red leaves. In fact, it is often referred to as Josephs coat in reference to Josephs technicolour dream coat because of its vibrant colours.

It is easy to care for and is ideal for a range of spots in your indoor space.

 

Yellow Banana Croton

Croton Yellow Banana is another Croton plant that makes a great statement in any indoor setting.

It is a very unusual plant visually, we love its green and yellow striped leaves – they are perfect for adding a tropical vibe to your home or workspace.

This plant is easy to care for and is air purifying – double bonus!

Incorporating Croton Plants into Your Space

With their colourful and unusual leaf types, it is easy to see why croton plants are a popular choice for homes, offices and workspaces.

Here are some of our favourite ways to incorporate them into your indoor space:

1) Add them to a desk or shelf in your office space for a cheery pop of colour!

2) Group several different croton types together on a sideboard or table in a dining room or living room.

3) Add them to your windowsills and show them off to your friends and neighbours!

Final thoughts on Croton Plants

With there relatively simple care requirements and striking leaf types, it is easy to see why Croton plants are a firm favourite amongst homes and offices. They are happy in some sun too, which means you can place them where other plants cannot be placed!

If you are looking for anair purifying plant that will add a spectacular display of colour to your space, then a croton is ideal - just bear in mind they are not suitable around pets of curious hands as they are toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

Looking to buy a Croton Houseplant?

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Croton & Codiaeum Soil & Compost

Croton & Codiaeum Houseplant Repotting & Accessories