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Crotons: What You Need to Know

Why Crotons?

• Bold Colors: Crotons are known for their vibrant, eye-catching foliage.
• Versatile: They can be grown indoors as houseplants or outdoors in mixed planters.
• Tropical: They don’t handle frost well, so keep them away from freezing temperatures.

Indoor Use:

• Showstopper: Use larger crotons indoors as dramatic floor plants to highlight their colorful leaves.

Outdoor Use:

• Decor: Crotons pair beautifully with fall decorations like mums, pumpkins, ornamental peppers, or flowering kale. Perfect for enhancing your front steps, porch, patio, or balcony.

Outdoor Care:

• Light: Prefer partial sun or bright conditions. They thrive in morning sun with afternoon shade. Too much shade can make them less colorful and cause leaf drop.
• Water: Regular watering is key. Let the soil dry out between waterings, but avoid letting it stay too dry or become soggy. Overly dry soil can wilt leaves, while soggy soil can rot roots.
• Temperature: Don’t expose them to temperatures below 40°F.

Indoor Care:

• Light: Grow in bright, indirect light. A south or southwest-facing window works well. Insufficient light can dull the colors of new leaves.
• Water: Keep the soil moist but well-drained. Allow it to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering.
• Humidity: Mist the foliage weekly if indoor humidity is low. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust.
• Fertilizer: Fertilize during spring and summer. In fall and winter, reduce or stop fertilizing.
• Repotting: Repot in spring if the plant outgrows its pot.

Crotons add vibrant color and interest to any space, whether indoors or outdoors, and with proper care, they can thrive and enhance your decor year-round.

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