Baby Croton

About Baby Croton

This plant is one of the many stunning cultivars of Codiaeum variegatum, which is native to the Pacific Islands where it can grow to over 10ft/3m tall! All parts of this plant are toxic, so keep them well out of reach of pets and children.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Codiaeum variegatum var. variegatum

Genus

Codiaeum

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Order

Malpighiales

Also known as

Codiaeum Excurrens

How to care for Baby Croton

💦 Water

How often to water your Baby Croton

Baby Croton needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Baby Croton in your home

Baby Croton love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Baby Croton does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Baby Croton in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Baby Croton

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Baby Croton: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Baby Croton after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

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💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Baby Croton prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Baby Croton Water Frequency →

Baby Croton Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Baby Croton requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Baby Croton Light Requirements →

Baby Croton Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Baby Croton is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Baby Croton is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Baby Croton Edible? →

Baby Croton Toxicity to Cats →

Baby Croton Toxicity to Dogs →

Baby Croton Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Baby Croton doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.

Baby Croton Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Baby Croton does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Baby Croton →

Best Pots for Baby Croton →

When and How to Successfully Repot Baby Croton →

What Are Healthy Baby Croton Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Baby Croton should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Baby Croton →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Baby Croton to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Baby Croton is native to Southeast Asia, Northern Australia and the Pacific Islands.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Baby Croton can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Baby Croton Temperature Tolerance →

Baby Croton Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Baby Croton →

When to Plant Baby Croton →

How to Plant Baby Croton →

Where to Plant Baby Croton →

Winter Care for Baby Croton →

Best Companion Plants for Baby Croton →

Is Baby Croton a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Baby Croton, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.