Loosing leaves…
Does anyone know why this plant would be losing leaves but not shooting out any new ones? Or how I can make it thicker? any advice on how to save it? #PlantHelp #DyingPlant #Croton #Codiaeum
1ft to light, direct
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 2 weeks ago
25
Best Answer
I’m going to interject about repotting a croton… they hate to be repotted into the wrong situation. I can tell by looking at your pot… that is not the right soil for your croton. Wayyyy too much perlite and not enough bark. They prefer orchid bark or lava rock with very medium amount of normal soil at that size. They’re very picky about their soil but will thrive when happy. Bush on fire wants to grow into a tree someday. It has goals lol (meaning it wants to grow upwards like a tree but only will look like a bush).
I used miracle grow tropical potting mix, foxfarm ocean soil, and orchard bark (make sure to soak before using because it is packaged with salt to hold its freshness). He’s growing 5 new leaves in 5 days after repotting. As you can see mine is also just now turning into a bark like stem. To add a bit of humor I used decorative lava rock 😂 😂 😂
I used miracle grow tropical potting mix, foxfarm ocean soil, and orchard bark (make sure to soak before using because it is packaged with salt to hold its freshness). He’s growing 5 new leaves in 5 days after repotting. As you can see mine is also just now turning into a bark like stem. To add a bit of humor I used decorative lava rock 😂 😂 😂
Crotons are soooo finicky. I have trouble keeping them alive myself. Here's what I know about them:
💚 They love humidity and moisture. You can add a pebble tray or mist him to keep him happy.
Also, If you have him in a terracotta pot, you might consider changing to something else. Terracotta soaks up some water that the plant might want! ***Be warned that crotons don't like to be repotted so it's up to you if you want to wait until he's healthier.
💚 They love sun, especially to keep those vibrant colors but watch out for sunburn!
💚 Remember they are tropical plants so it's best to try and mimic that environment.
Good luck to you and your bush on fire!!
💚
💚 They love humidity and moisture. You can add a pebble tray or mist him to keep him happy.
Also, If you have him in a terracotta pot, you might consider changing to something else. Terracotta soaks up some water that the plant might want! ***Be warned that crotons don't like to be repotted so it's up to you if you want to wait until he's healthier.
💚 They love sun, especially to keep those vibrant colors but watch out for sunburn!
💚 Remember they are tropical plants so it's best to try and mimic that environment.
Good luck to you and your bush on fire!!
💚
@JesssJungle thank you very very much!! this is very helpful. I have already added a pebble tray!!
I’ve learned to keep my soil slightly moist all the time & they like a lot of light! I agree with @JesssJungle about the humidity and terracotta pot! Good luck on your journey 🫶🏻
@PlantJedi thank you so much, it sounds like you know what I should do. I do not have orchard bark but I do have lava rocks… so would you recommend repotting into lava rock and I have coco loco soil? Also should I rinse the dense dirt from the nursery off the roots or do they not liked to be messed with like that? And do you think I should choose a different pot type besides terracotta? Thank you for your advice!
@PiousGermanivy do you have decorative lava rock or active lava rock? If it’s stuck, don’t worry about it. They’re ok with it. Terracotta is a great go to but as long as it’s not glazed, they’re happy. My magnificent croton loves its terracotta and my Bush on fire is enjoying its unglazed ceramic.
@PiousGermanivy your coco loco soil with orchid bark should get the job done. I’d just buy orchid bark.. I read into the coco loco soil and it’s from fox farm lol… can you take a pic of the ingredients? Crotons hate muddy soil… want to see what’s in it.
@PiousGermanivy yummmm! I’m going to get this when I need to repot my rubber plants!!! Thank you! Orchid bark and that will make him happy. You can go 2-3 inches bigger with that soil.
@PiousGermanivy I would fine cut some of that and add it to the mix. That way it’ll lower that muddy feeling they don’t like. I envisioned more coir in the soil but it makes sense it’s not a lot. Guess work the amount but don’t worry that it’s not the perfect amount. 60% soil, 25% bark, 15% sphagnum moss as an eye ball test.
@PlantJedi thank you so much for all your help I will definitely post an update and let you know how it goes!!
@PiousGermanivy totally tag me! I’ll be on the look out! Love to see the planty doing great. Really love them. My Bush on fire is one of my faves… If you can’t tell hahaha
@PlantJedi I finally found time to repot her last night lol I will let you know if she reacts positively or negatively to the new soil… the roots were so rootbound with compact soil, so I did disturb them quite a bit. 😬 I should have taken an after picture, but the roots were so long, about 5 inches after I unwound them. 
@PiousGermanivy wow!!!! That’s insane! It was beyond ready! Ooh it’s about to boom! You have an official fan!
@PlantJedi I hope it does! Thank you so much for recommending I repot it otherwise I wouldn’t have🙊
@PiousGermanivy Ohhh no… she’s about to grow up… she’s wants to be a tree and those roots are twice the size of mine and I have 3 branches… she has soo much wood on her stem it makes sense.