Croton
Codiaeum variegatum
Leathery leaves splashed in red, orange, and yellow - one of the most colorful houseplants you can grow, and one of the most demanding about light and stability.
Photo: Annie Spratt / Unsplash What this plant actually wants.
Best window: South or west-facing, close to the glass.
This is the general recommendation. When you map your actual windows in Planterra, the app compares each one against this plant's lux range and tells you which of your specific spots are best - accounting for depth from the glass, obstructions, and how the light shifts by season.
What usually goes wrong.
Leaves fading to plain green
Not enough light. Croton's color comes directly from light exposure - in dim spots the vivid red, orange, and yellow patterning fades toward plain green.
Sudden leaf drop after a move
Croton is notoriously sensitive to change - a new location, a draft, or even a big temperature swing can trigger leaf drop. Pick one bright, stable spot and avoid moving it once it's settled.
Yellow, wilting lower leaves
Usually overwatering. Let the top few centimetres dry out between waterings and check the pot drains well.
Brown, crispy leaf tips
Low humidity, most often. A humidifier or pebble tray helps, especially in winter when heated indoor air runs dry.
Seeing yellow leaves specifically? Read the full yellow leaves diagnostic guide for how to tell the causes apart.
Croton is the plant I most often have to talk people out of moving. Every relocation resets its adjustment clock and can trigger a fresh round of leaf drop - once you find a bright, stable spot, the best thing you can do is leave it alone.
Add this plant to Planterra.
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