Croton Plant, Codiaeum variegatum (Gold Dust, Small Leaves) – Plant

Croton Plants

Crotons are houseplants that normally have variegated leaves with shades of yellow, red, and green. They were originally found in Indonesia so they do well in the warm climates of our houses. They are a fairly easy plant to grow indoors if you follow the care instructions listed below.

Light and heat requirements

• Crotons need a very brightly lit location so that they keep their bright colors. They enjoy a western or southern window location. If they have plenty of light the leaves will have more variegation and the colors will be brighter.
• They need to be kept at a minimum temperature of 60°F during the night and around 70°F during the daytime. If they aren’t kept at this temperature they will begin to drop their leaves.

Water requirements
Crotons need to have their soil evenly moist at all times, they tend to wilt easily if the soil is too dry. On the other hand if the soil is too wet the leaves will turn brown on the edges. These plants also prefer to have a location with higher humidity. It is generally recommended that they be placed somewhere with a humidity of 40-80%. If the humidity isn’t high enough the plants will drop some of their leaves and the color of the leaves may not be as vibrant.