Leaves dropping
Hey everyone! I'm really struggling with this croton (I knew it'd happen when I bought it but I couldn't just walk past it 🤦♀️). Don't be fooled by the profile picture of it, that was when we were getting along, though you can see how many leaves have dropped.
The leaves are dropping A LOT. At first I wasn't too worried, thought maybe it was just switching to less light with winter. But it's now under a plant light in a warm spot with some humidity (40-50%, as good as it's getting inside) and I'm still having problems.
As they die, the leaves start to get shriveled and greyish at the tips, then the leaf curls up, then eventually falls off. When they fall off, they're on the crispy side. This is mostly happening bottom up - the leaves closest to the tips of the stems are new and green and grow well, but eventually they drop off too. There are some new leaves forming, too. I'd immediately think it was under watered, but it keeps happening even when the soil is recently watered. Then I thought maybe over watered, but it also happens when I let it dry out. I am at a loss.
Help?? I've googled it but haven't had any luck there either.
#croton #plantsmakepeoplehappy
The leaves are dropping A LOT. At first I wasn't too worried, thought maybe it was just switching to less light with winter. But it's now under a plant light in a warm spot with some humidity (40-50%, as good as it's getting inside) and I'm still having problems.
As they die, the leaves start to get shriveled and greyish at the tips, then the leaf curls up, then eventually falls off. When they fall off, they're on the crispy side. This is mostly happening bottom up - the leaves closest to the tips of the stems are new and green and grow well, but eventually they drop off too. There are some new leaves forming, too. I'd immediately think it was under watered, but it keeps happening even when the soil is recently watered. Then I thought maybe over watered, but it also happens when I let it dry out. I am at a loss.
Help?? I've googled it but haven't had any luck there either.
#croton #plantsmakepeoplehappy
1ft to light, direct
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 years ago
7
Hi Kate,
I have 3 crotons, and they are not actively growing too quickly at this time but seem to be happier further away from the grow lights for some reason. 2 to three feet for my pickiest two to be exact. I just so happened to place them there to give closer light assistance to some of my other favorites that were in need, and it actually seemed to work out for them. They are keeping their bright color, and I only feed them once they look droopy. I do a thorough watering at that time and no dropping leaves unless it's just an old dying leaf.
When I had them closer to the light, they were not doing as well for some odd reason, but at that time, I didn't think it was lightning. Go figure! Lol These plants don't always go by the book. Just wanted to share in case this is something you have not tried and may want to try. BTW I have regular humidity and plastic pots inside ceramic, and they are surrounded by other tropical plants with grow lights on each side but feet away.
Best to you and your beautiful Croton.😊🙏
I have 3 crotons, and they are not actively growing too quickly at this time but seem to be happier further away from the grow lights for some reason. 2 to three feet for my pickiest two to be exact. I just so happened to place them there to give closer light assistance to some of my other favorites that were in need, and it actually seemed to work out for them. They are keeping their bright color, and I only feed them once they look droopy. I do a thorough watering at that time and no dropping leaves unless it's just an old dying leaf.
When I had them closer to the light, they were not doing as well for some odd reason, but at that time, I didn't think it was lightning. Go figure! Lol These plants don't always go by the book. Just wanted to share in case this is something you have not tried and may want to try. BTW I have regular humidity and plastic pots inside ceramic, and they are surrounded by other tropical plants with grow lights on each side but feet away.
Best to you and your beautiful Croton.😊🙏
@ZarfSalsify that is great info! Thank you so much! I will try moving it a bit further away from the light and see if it helps. It does seem like it was doing the best just after summer ended (I only have south facing windows, so the light can get a bit intense in the summer).
I have had one inside and outside and I feel the same way. They want bright INDIRECT light but can be total divas. I think it helps that their leaves get more red and yellow with more light, so that can also be a clue as to how much they’re getting. In my (limited) experience when they’re b!tching about something, it’s been light or temp rather than water. Mine haaaaate the cold. (That actually gave me another idea. When you water, maybe make sure the water isn’t cold?!? I mean who knows?!?)
@RealSimpleMama the new leaves weren't really changing color (juuuust started to get a few yellow spots) so that's initially what led me to think it needed more light. 🤦♀️ But it was pretty close to a plant light (admittedly not a very strong one) so maybe it's too much. Temperature could definitely be it, it's winter here and regulating temperature in our house is a big challenge. It's the warmest part of the house though, so if it's not enough...the plant is on its own 😂 I've honestly never successfully had a Croton for more than a couple months in the Midwest, but I did have one thrive in Colorado when I lived there. So maybe it's just not a plant I can have here haha
@hellokatelandia Hi Kate,
You were the first person I corresponded with on here, and I was learning to use the system, so I missed the messages in between until now. I hope everything is working out. I didn't think I could keep them either, but they are still around, and @RealSimpleMama, they are definitely divas!😂 Keep me posted. I would love to know how it all turns out.
You were the first person I corresponded with on here, and I was learning to use the system, so I missed the messages in between until now. I hope everything is working out. I didn't think I could keep them either, but they are still around, and @RealSimpleMama, they are definitely divas!😂 Keep me posted. I would love to know how it all turns out.
@ZarfSalsify welcome to Greg! 😀 So far it seems like it's dropping leaves slightly slower than before but still not doing great 🤷♀️ it may just be a casualty from this winter...I've lost one other plant too. 😕 Win some, lose some I guess (even though the other one was one of my favorites!). They're both in great pots, so if they die I'll be happy to reuse them on new plants 🤣
@hellokatelandia Thank you.
😂 That's a very positive way to spin it! There have been some I felt the same way about. Like, I guess a pot has become available!😂
😂 That's a very positive way to spin it! There have been some I felt the same way about. Like, I guess a pot has become available!😂
