Croton care

croton

El croton o Codaieum variegatum it is a very popular plant that you will find in many homes. It can be outdoors although they also grow in pots that are located next to large windows or very well lit places. Having it is not difficult, just go to the nursery and buy one, the most complicated thing is caring for the croton, because it is a somewhat delicate plant so it is not easy to keep it healthy for a long time.

Therefore, we are going to dedicate this article to tell you everything about the care of the croton and its main characteristics.

Key features

Codaieum variegatum

It is a type of plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. A wide variety of decorative plants can be found in this genus. The origin of the Croton is from Malaysia. Its scientific name is Codaieum variegatum. Its leaves are of the alternate type, petiolate and it is a perennial plant. We can find leaves of various types with shades ranging from green, white, red, pink, yellow and brown. It is not a plant that stands out for its flowers since it has little decorative interest since they are tiny.

What is striking about this plant are the leaves. It should be mentioned that it is not a plant whose cultivation will be easy. It can be grown indoors and outdoors. It is not a suitable plant for those beginners in the world of gardening. If you buy the potted croton It should not be exchanged until at least 2 years after its purchase. What must be taken into account is that, if we see that the roots begin to break the pot, we must move it to a pot one or two measures larger.

Croton care

croton care at home

We are going to divide the care of the Croton from the fundamental aspects, since it has quite complex requirements. It is a challenge for all gardening enthusiasts so we are going to explain it in parts.

Climate and exposure

El croton It is a challenge for all gardening enthusiasts, so today we will review your needs in order to ensure that you live with us for a long time.

The croton is a plant that needs light to grow in good conditions Although it is not good that it receives the sun's rays directly, so it must always be located in a place with good light but sheltered.

In addition, it is necessary to combine the exposure with the ambient temperature as it is a plant that grows well with medium to temperate temperatures, that is, winters with a minimum of 15 degrees and summers with a maximum of 27 degrees. However, one of the most important aspects is that you live in a place where there are no sudden changes in temperature and that the plant is not subjected to strong drafts.

Irrigation and compost

This plant needs moisture so watering is important. It is calculated that watering 2 or 3 times a week in spring and summer, and every 4 or 5 days in winter will suffice. The important thing is that the plant is never in dry conditions. You can spray it in the summer to give it more moisture.

The best thing for the croton is to receive a fertilizer twice a month to favor its growth. You can apply a liquid one and add it to irrigation.

Soil and pruning

As for the soil, if we sow it outdoors, the soil should be a mixture of equal parts of soil and peat. It is a plant to which the leaves can fall, although not all of them completely since it is a perennial plant. If you want your plant to almost always have all the leaves, you can try to cut the upper stem in the spring time. Thus, we get the birth of new shoots from the base and refresh the rest of the plant. If we do this, we must take into account that it needs high temperatures and all possible humidity to help the new leaves grow. Therefore, it is recommended in the late spring season.

If the stem that we cut secretes a kind of latex, hot wax must be used to heal the wound on the stem. It is important that we prevent the plant from losing latex for a long time and any infection can enter it.

Croton maintenance tasks

croton care

Let's now analyze what are the maintenance tasks that the croton has. If we want the plant to have a good growth, we must respect all the care mentioned above. If we use this potted plant we can get to enjoy a plant of almost a meter in height and very little time. The most striking thing about this plant is its horizontal growth. As long as the plant is covered with all its requirements, it will present a great profusion of leaves.

These are one of the reasons why this plant must be transplanted from time to time. As we have mentioned before, it is interesting to do it about every two years as long as you can transplant it to a larger pot. If we have just bought the plant, it is advisable to wait to be able to transplant when the plant is no longer comfortable in that pot and it has to be replaced by another larger pot.

This plant It does not need drastic pruning but we can do a small pruning if we want to reduce the volume of the leaves. It must be taken into account that pruning must be carried out without affecting the total development of the plant. The only precaution you have to take is regarding its sap which is toxic. If we have pets with children at home, it is important that the sap does not remain outside the plant and it can come into contact with some. To do this, we will apply a healing agent to be protected. We also help protect the plant against infections.

As you can see, the croton is quite a complicated plant to care for and is not suitable for beginners. I hope that with this information you can learn more about croton care.


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  1.   Elizabeth gomez said

    because the leaves are falling

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello, Elizabeth.
      It may be because it has an excess of humidity, or because it is in direct sunlight. Also if a plague is affecting it, its leaves may fall.
      If you don't see any insects and the plant seems fine, decrease the frequency of watering. It is advisable to let the soil dry out before watering again; in this way, waterlogging is avoided, which could damage the roots and, as a consequence, also the plant.
      A greeting.

    2.    Nadia said

      Hello, I have had the croton for 4 years in the same place in the house, I think I gave it too much water and all the leaves fell, I have changed the trunk and the Terra has been around for almost two months and I water it once every 10 days and it still has no changes, what do I have to do to revive it because the trunk is so beautiful that it makes me very sad

      1.    Monica Sanchez said

        Hello Nadia.

        First of all, do you have a plate under it? Does the pot have holes in its base? It is very important that the water can get out, otherwise the roots will rot.

        It is also advisable to treat it with a fungicide, that is, with something that can eliminate the possible fungi that are affecting it. For this, the ideal is copper or powdered sulfur, but cinnamon (powdered) will also serve you. You pour it on the surface and water a little, like this once every 15 or 20 days.

        Good luck!

  2.   Elsa love said

    MONICA, PLEASE KEEP MY TRUNK WITH 2 LEAVES, I CAN PRUN IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Elsa.
      If it only has 2 leaves it should not be, unless it has a rotten trunk.
      A greeting.

  3.   Mony said

    It appears as a cobweb between its leaves and its leaves are falling a lot

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Mony.
      Your plant has a spider mite. You can treat it with an acaricide, sold in nurseries, following the instructions specified on the package.
      A greeting.

  4.   Lourdes Core Velez said

    Greetings Mónica Sánchez:
    I have croutons in front of my house. One of them died and I have tried to plant another and they have not been given to me. I have sown by hook, I have left them in water before planting the hooks, I have bought the plant, I have compared again and I leave it in the pot for a while in the place where I am going to sow it and it dies as I want. The others are fine with little maintenance and I don't know what happens with the space that I have between the others.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Lourdes.
      Are they right in the same area? Do they all receive the same care? Does the sun give everyone the same?
      It is very curious what counts. It seems as if they are living right in that area where you plant the new croton worms or another pest that affects the roots, or that just that land does not have as good drainage as the one around it.
      My advice is to treat the worms with Cypermethrin, and put a layer of gravel about 4-5cm in the planting hole.
      This way, no problems should arise.
      A greeting.

  5.   oswaldo said

    Very good advice.

    Because the new leaves of a multi-colored croton are only green.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Oswaldo.
      We are glad that they are of interest to you 🙂.
      Regarding your question, it may be that it lacks light. Have you recently had it?
      A greeting.

  6.   Monica alvarez said

    Hello Monica. I have a croton in the same pot for about 10 years. The trunk has been growing while the leaves were falling and now it is very long and with a bunch of leaves at the top that are losing the diversity of colors (they are only yellow). What can I do with the plant? Can it be reproduced or transplanted? Thank you in advance for reading me. Greetings

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hey.
      I have deleted your previous message for being repeated.
      My advice is that you change the pot and put new substrate on it. Most likely, it will no longer find nutrients to be able to continue growing.
      The best time to do it is in spring.
      A greeting.

      1.    Miriam said

        Hi Mony! Thanks for your time. Tomorrow I am going to move 4 screw croutons because the direct sun hurts them, but I want to know what is the best soil or substrate for screw croutons. Thanks!

        1.    Monica Sanchez said

          Hello Miriam.
          You can use universal growing medium without problems.
          A greeting.

  7.   Nice said

    Hi, my dad and I want to plant a croton, so far in the nurseries we have only found some that do not exceed 30cm, how long does it take to reach at least 1 meter in height? Thank you very much 🙂

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Majo.
      If the climate is warm and there is no frost, it can grow one meter in 2 years without problems.
      A greeting.

  8.   Vladimir said

    Hi there! They gave me one but now it is only the trunk and I have moved it with new land and more space. It is also in a place where it does not receive the full sun and the watering is moderate but still I cannot save it. What I can do?
    Thanks for your attention.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Vladimir.
      How often do you water it? It is important that it is not overwatered, otherwise the roots rot easily. It is best to water it two or three times a week. If you have a plate underneath, remove the excess water within 10 minutes of watering.
      A greeting.

  9.   elsa walde said

    Hello Monica, I just bought a croton plant for school, it will be well cared for. But since it is in a classroom, I do not know what care I can give it specifically, I would appreciate your advice, thank you

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Elsa.
      You have to water it two or three times a week. If you have a plate underneath, remove the excess water 10 minutes after watering.
      During the hottest months it is advisable to pay it with liquid organic fertilizers, such as guano, following the instructions specified on the package.
      A greeting.

  10.   Vladimir said

    Thanks for your reply!
    I water it every time I notice that the ground is dry, it doesn't have a plate underneath. Could it be that I should water it less?
    Greetings.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Vladimir.
      You have to water it when the soil is dry, but for it to recover you have to be patient.
      You can water it with rooting hormones so that the plant produces new roots. This will give you strength.
      A greeting.

  11.   daiana said

    Hello, good afternoon !
    Today they gave me a croton and I was looking for information to be able to take care of it, I live in an apartment. I was thinking of transplanting it to another pot but I read that it was better to do it in March, is that true?
    Another question I have is with the issue of water irrigation, how often should I give it?
    Last consultation I have vitamins to put on the ground, is it okay to put that on it?
    From already thank you very much, greetings!

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Daiana.
      You can change it pot in spring, when the weather is good.
      The frequency of watering will vary according to the weather, but generally it has to be watered twice a week.
      From spring to summer it can give you vitamins.
      A greeting.

      1.    Ornella said

        Hi there! If all the leaves fell, does that mean it died? Or can they come out again !?

        1.    Monica Sanchez said

          Hi Ornella.
          If all the leaves fall, it may be that you are having a hard time due to excess water (here you have information on this subject), and / or being in a room with drafts for example.

          I recommend scratching the trunk a little to see if it is green. If so, then there is hope. Space the waterings, and avoid exposing it to the air from the heating and air conditioning.

          Luck.

  12.   Silvia said

    Hi, I recently bought a croton and it had red leaves on the bottom and green on the top, it's small. When moving it to a bigger pot I have noticed that the green leaves are turning red too .. is it normal? that is, everything is turning red and green and it has almost nothing, I am worried that it is drying out or has some problem

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Silvia.
      Yes it's normal. Plants "change" a little when moving from a nursery to a home.
      A greeting.

  13.   Liseth Viviana Abreu Duarte said

    Hello Mrs. Monica, I bought a croton, it had its leaves distributed on its stem at distances of approximately 1.5 cm, however the leaves began to fall, now there are few left and the stem at 10 cm measured from its base is brown (after It is green with wine) already developed scars where its leaves were. My question is: will new leaves sprout from that stem path? Can I make cuts to that stem path to motivate it to give new leaves? Or will the plant continue to grow and its leaves will only come out on a new stem? thank you for your time and congratulations the page is very educational. Liseth Viviana ..

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Liseth.
      We are glad you like the blog 🙂.
      How often do you water it? I ask because if the soil is very wet for a long time, the roots rot.
      My advice is the following: cut what looks bad, and treat the plant with fungicide so that the fungi do not damage it. Also, it is important to let the soil dry out a bit before watering again.
      A greeting.

  14.   clau said

    Hello good morning I bought a croton and shortly after buying it I have transplanted it and now made some small and green leaves and I have it near a window and it gives a lot of light I have also put it in the garbage compost and I do not know that the leaves are coming out alone green or when they grow they change the color I really like this plant the only thing that if I have not put the pot is for the drainage it will be x that and if I can move it back from the pot to place the drain or I wait a few months more: thank you very much, delighted to hear your advice

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Clau.
      It is curious what you comment. I recommend you wait a bit, to see how the plant evolves.
      If it is exposed to direct light at any time, move it to another area where it will not, as the leaves could burn.
      Fertilize it in spring and summer with universal compost, and water it when the soil is dry.
      A greeting.

  15.   Mildred said

    Hello I have a croton. The fact is that I went on vacation and someone stayed to take care of it, when I returned he told me that the plant had been burned by the sun. Right now it has no leaves and the shoots have withered so to speak. It's been a week that that happened. I wonder if my plant is dead and if I can do something to make it recover?
    Thank you

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Mildred.
      To know if it is alive, you can scratch the main stem with your fingernail: if it is green, there is hope.
      Water once or twice a week, and remove the water from the dish - if you have one underneath - ten minutes after watering.
      A greeting.

  16.   Gaby said

    Hello, I am desperate, it has been about 4 weeks since the leaves have fallen on my croton, and they began to dry and now the leaves that remain are all fallen, someone suggested that I take it out to give it air, but I think It was worse, I have never put fertilizer on it, the truth is that it saddens me because I do not know how to take care of it and I do not want it to die, every time I touch a leaf it falls because of how weak it is, what can I do?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Gaby.
      How often do you water it? Are you in summer or winter? It is important to check the humidity of the soil before watering, since if it is damp and we water, the roots could rot.
      For this you can insert, for example, a thin wooden stick to the bottom (if it comes out practically clean, it will mean that the earth is dry and that, therefore, it can be watered).
      If you have a plate underneath, remove the excess water within ten minutes of watering.
      A greeting.

  17.   Martha Martinez said

    Hello Monica!
    I am writing to you from Mexico!
    I'm a newcomer to this plant ...
    4 days ago I bought 2 croutons.
    They measure 50-60 cm. I live in Monterrey, NL cd. northeast of Mexico, and the summer is very very hot !!
    How often should I water them?
    How often?
    Being so hot (and still in the heat of heat) I think that 3 times is not enough?
    Some lower leaves have fallen off and others look somewhat withered (burnt pubtas); I notice that both plants resented the change from the nursery to their new home.
    What do you recommend me?

    I put them in the garage. They have enough light.

    Many greetings !!

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Martha.
      During the summer you have to water very frequently, every 2-3 days. You have to avoid waterlogging, and you have to remove the excess water from the dish ten minutes after watering.
      A greeting.

  18.   Gil Cross said

    Good morning, I have a croton in a pot, it is in very good condition, but suddenly I noticed in the tray under it that there are several small dry worms, I started to check more carefully and also observed that there are worms inside it .. How do I eliminate them, what do I do so that it does not get damaged?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Cruz.
      You can eliminate them with Cypermethrin 10%, following the instructions specified on the package.
      a greeting

  19.   Pearl Ayala said

    Hello, I had always wanted a croton, and finally I have it! Only the leaves have turned very yellow, they are in my yard and it has just gone through a lot of rain thanks to a hurricane, could that be the reason for the change of Colour? Besides that the sun shines all day, we are from Houston tx. And I have also noticed that there are 3 branches in the same cluster, can each branch be separated, that is, transplant them branch by branch? Or is it a single plant and it does not separate?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Pearl.
      Yes, the hurricane is tremendous 🙁
      Put the croton in semi-shade, in the sun it becomes ugly since it does not resist it well.
      Regarding what you ask of the branches, do you have any photos? You can upload it to tinypic, imageshack or share it in our telegram group. In principle, I would tell you that it is a single plant, but without seeing it I don't know.
      A greeting.

  20.   NEHEMIAH MUÑOZ said

    HELLO THAT SO .. I SEEMED VERY EDUCATIONAL THE SUBJECT CARE OFÑ CROTON .. A QUESTION MAY BE PLANT GROWING IN A POT AND INSIDE A HOTEL, WHAT HAPPENED IS THAT THOSE WHO HAD FELL THE LEAVES ONE BY ONE . 🙁

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Nehemiah.
      Yes, of course it can be in a pot. You simply need protection from direct sunlight and drafts.
      A greeting.

  21.   Grace Mariotti said

    Hello!!! I am Graciela. I live in the south of Argentina.
    On Mother's Day (in October) they gave me a Creton and when they gave it to me they told me to transplant it. I took her to the nursery to do it but she is with sad and fallen leaves. The leaves are falling off. I don't want to lose it since it was given to me by my brother who just died. I need help. Thanks

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Graciela.
      First of all, I am very sorry for the loss of your brother. 🙁 Much encouragement.
      We are going to try to get your plant back. How often do you water it? In principle, it is normal for it to get a little sick after the transplant, but after a week or two it should resume its growth.
      Therefore, it is important to water it no more than two-three times a week during the hottest months, and once a week the rest of the year. Use lime-free irrigation water, such as rainwater. If you can't get it, fill a container with water, let it sit overnight, and the next day use that water for watering.
      If you have a plate under it, remove the excess water ten minutes after watering, since it does not like puddling.
      A greeting.

  22.   LUIS said

    Hi Monica, I have a crotton, the one with the thin and elongated leaf, green with yellow spots, which the leaves began to fall. It is located next to a window and is watered once or twice a week. When I bought it two months ago it was in very good condition. Thanks a lot.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Luis.
      Are you in a drafty room? If so, I recommend you keep it as far away from them as possible.
      On the other hand, if you are in the northern hemisphere it is convenient to water less. Once a week or every ten days. Use lukewarm water (which is around 37ºC) so that its roots do not "catch cold" 🙂.
      A greeting.

  23.   Savior said

    Hello, good morning, I have a Croton that I bought two days ago and the truth is I know little about it, my question is if I can leave it in a part of the house where in the morning it gives it a little sun, that period of sun is very brief about 40-50 minutes.
    Beforehand thank you very much!
    Greetings from Mexico.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Salvatore.
      It is better not to shine the sun directly.
      In the article you have more information.
      A greeting.

  24.   Lees said

    I read that you do not have to give it a draft, can the wind from a fan affect it?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Lia.
      Yes, it can affect you. It is better to keep it away from drafts.
      A greeting.

  25.   Mayra said

    Hi good morning! The reason for my question is for the following, my dog ​​has just died and I decided to bury her, as I am very sad, I would like to put a plant near where it is and I bought a croton today, so I read it should not give it the sun And well, the place where I planted it gives the sun, what can I do ??? I want my plant to grow beautifully since it will be for me like having my dog ​​there… advice please !!!… thank you !!!

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Mayra.
      You can put four tutors and black shading mesh, as an umbrella. This way it will be protected from the sun and you won't have to move it around 🙂.
      Greetings and I'm sorry for the loss of your dog. Much encouragement.

  26.   Isabel said

    Good Monica,
    I bought a croton about three months ago, it looked really nice. I decided to change the pot because the one I had was very small and from there I followed all the advice on care that you indicate above. The fact is that it is dying, the leaves lose height and look withered and the two new ones that came out stopped growing until they fell off. I do not know what else to do. As I said, I follow all the advice on light, watering, cleaning, or drafts, etc ... What magic recipe do I apply so that it doesn't die? I can't get it back.
    Thank you very much in advance.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello isbael.
      Where are you from? I ask you about the climate: the croton is a plant that does not support temperatures below 10ºC, and if you are, for example, in Spain sometimes even if we take good care of the plants, being tropical they weaken a lot 🙁
      But do not lose hope.
      I recommend you water it little. No more than twice a week. If you have a plate underneath, remove the excess water ten minutes after watering. Use lime-free water (if you can't get it, fill a container with tap water and let it sit overnight).
      And wait to see. Good luck.

  27.   Electra said

    Hello Monica.

    I have a croton in a pot for about two years (or two and a half) and it grows very slow !!! I do not know what to do. The leaves are falling a lot. I water it enough but not enough to think that is it. And as for La Luz, it is next to the window, which is all I can do because I live in an apartment and on the balcony it would give it wind and sun….

    It is not like the species in the photo. The spots are irregular ... I can't find any image of this species on the internet ...

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Electra.
      It is normal that it grows slowly 🙂 But that of the leaves falling off… is worrying.
      I recommend you fertilize it with a liquid fertilizer, such as guano. You may be lacking nutrients.
      Anyway, if it continues to get worse, write to us again and we will tell you.
      A greeting.

  28.   DR. ALBERTO CRUZ WALKER said

    GREETINGS MONICA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
    I HAVE A CROTO PEAR AND I HAVE IT IN THE DEPARTMENT, IT GIVES IT VERY LITTLE LIGHT, THE LEAVES ARE BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT DOES NOT GROW, I HAVE GIVEN IT THE FERTILIZER OF THE RECOMMENDED IN THE NURSERY BUT IT DOES NOT WORK, IT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE WINDOW, I TRUST MORE IN YOU AS A PROFESSIONAL, THAT YOU RECOMMEND ME, THANK YOU.
    GOOD WEEKEND

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Dr. Alberto.
      The croton is a rather slow growing plant, and if it does not give it hardly any light it will still grow slower 🙂
      Although it can be in places like this, the ideal is that it is in a room where a lot of natural light enters (but not direct). Also, it is highly recommended move it to a larger pot in spring so that it can continue its growth.
      A greeting.

  29.   OSCAR RED said

    HELLO. I ASKED WHEN THE CROTO BLOOMS, DOES I STOP ITS GROWING? IS IT ADVISABLE TO CUT THE FLOWERING? GREECE

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Oscar.
      In general, when plants bloom, they stop growing a bit.
      The flowers should not be taken away. 🙂
      A greeting.

  30.   Estrella said

    Hello, I live in Spain, specifically in Blanes (Girona) last night of the Kings, they gave me a Croton with striped leaf in various colors, it came in very bad condition with the dry land, I watered it abundantly and I put it where it gives a lot of clarity , the issue is that the pot is very small, if you see the roots and I was wondering if you change it before dqs get used to your new home, greetings and happy new year

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Star.
      No, now in winter it is better to leave it where it is. What you can do is put it in a larger pot without removing the one it has, and then in spring do the transplant as it should (that is, removing the old pot).
      Greetings, and happy new year to you too.

  31.   jorge jonathan avalos said

    HELLO, I JUST BUY THIS PLANT BUT ASK IT I HAVE A MY OFFICE WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS USED ALL DAY, IT DOES NOT GIVE IT DIRECT AND THE TEMPERATURE RANGES BETWEEN 22-23 ° C AND I HAVE IT NEXT TO A WINDOW WHERE INDIRECT LIGHT ENTERS IT BUT I READ THAT IT REQUIRES ENVIRONMENTAL HUMIDITY, DO YOU THINK IT IS NOT ADEQUATE TO HAVE IT IN THE OFFICE ??
    AT NIGHT THE AIR IS TURNED OFF AND THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS AROUND 30 ° C

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Jorge.
      If you have it in the office, with the air conditioning, it is better that you put several glasses of water around it, or that you buy a humidifier and put it nearby.
      So it will grow you well.
      Greetings.

  32.   Mirta said

    Hi Monica, I would like there is some homemade fertilizer and how to use it. Your blog is very nice and thank you for helping us take care of plants.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Mirta.
      We are glad that you like the blog.
      You can pay it with guano, which is seabird or bat manure. They sell it in nurseries.
      Follow the manufacturer's instructions, because although it is natural it is very concentrated and there may be a risk of overdose.
      Greetings.

  33.   Oscar said

    Hello Monica,
    I have a croton to which I have noticed that it had a kind of dry nits very stuck in the ribs, something like aphids, but these were already dry and very attached. I had to wash the leaves by scratching to remove them. Many leaves were abused, and others had already begun to dry, as leaves dry in the sun. This just happened about 1 month ago when the weather started to turn cold (15 degrees) and humid (95%)
    It is running out of leaves and many are battered and others are drying out without knowing what to do.
    What are you suggesting?
    Thank you in advance.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Oscar.

      I recommend you clean the sheets with a cloth, water and mild soap. This will eliminate any pests you may have.

      If it does not improve, treat the plant with an anti-mealybug insecticide.

      regards

  34.   Magaly Garcia said

    Hello
    I have several crotos but they have not grown anything in 2 years. One of them gets sad, I even put him in the sun and half recovered but then he started to get sad.
    The other is normal but the same size. The land they have is compost and irrigation as I see that it does not have water, or the land begins to lose water.
    Hopefully you can comment or give me an email to send you photos and you can help me.
    The truth is that ducks are made in the nursery where I bought them.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Magdaly.

      Do you have them in a pot? If so, and the container does not have holes or you have a plate underneath, I recommend planting them in one that does have holes, without a plate.

      And if they have holes, then a bigger pot is likely what they need. The change can be made in spring.

      If they do not improve, write to us.

      regards

  35.   daniel zaragoza said

    When a stem appears at the top that appears to be the flower, can it be removed?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Daniel.

      We do not advise it. Think that plants spend a lot of energy producing flower stalks and flowers, it is part of them.

      Greetings.

  36.   Maria said

    Hello, mine has yellow polka dots, but I see that some leaves are yellowing, I have already removed two, I do not know if it is normal or not. Thank you, good day.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Maria.

      Yellow leaves can be caused by many problems, such as overwatering or lack of nutrients.
      En this article we talked about it.

      Greetings.

  37.   Sugi Sandoval said

    Hello Monica, I hope you are very well.

    3 months ago I bought a croton, it is very nice, when it arrived at my house it had most of its green leaves and now little by little they are making small spots and yellow lines. My doubt is that I see it the same as when it arrived, it is small, it has about 10 leaves (it looks like a mini tree).

    Could it be that you lack compost?

    best regards.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello, Sugei.

      How's it going? The truth is, it could be a problem with irrigation, rather than a lack of compost. How often do you water it?

      If you want send us an image to our Facebook and we tell you.

      Greetings.

  38.   Roxana said

    Hello good evening. I have a doubt and a concern, my plant is a star Croton, I bought it recently, but a week after I bought it, the leaves began to fall, not all of them have fallen, but a couple of them fall every day . My house has large windows and is usually lit, I have put it in some places, but I have not been able to make it better. Could you please help me with a suggestion to improve the condition of my plant or something to help it?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Roxana.

      First of all, we recommend putting it in a place and not moving it from there. It is that the changes of location can stress a lot to the plants.

      That place has to be illuminated, but the croton has to be a little away from the drafts. Also, the humidity has to be high, so if you live in a place with a dry climate, it would be good to place containers with water around the pot.

      Another thing, does the pot have a plate underneath? If so, think about draining it after each watering, otherwise its roots will rot.

      In the article you have more information.

      Greetings.