Care Of Outdoor Croton Plants How To Grow A Croton Outdoors

Croton Outdoors (Codiaeum variegatum)

Plant Feed. Fertilize regularly for best display.
Watering. Keep soil evenly moist.
Soil. Fertile, well-drained soil.
Basic Care Summary. Best in fertile, well-drained soil. Keep soil moist, watering freely in dry weather. Fertilize regularly for best display.

How do you care for an outdoor Croton plant?
Do Crotons like full sun?
Where do crotons grow best?
Do Crotons come back every year?
Can you keep a Croton outside?
How do I make my Croton bushy?
How often do Crotons need to be watered?
Why croton leaves fall off?
Are Crotons hard to care for?
How can I make my crotons grow faster?
Do Crotons like to be root bound plants?
What is the best fertilizer for Crotons?

How do you care for an outdoor Croton plant?

How to Care for Croton

Place croton in a sunny location such as an eastern, southern, or western window. ...
Keep the soil evenly moist, but let it dry out between waterings.
If humidity is low in your home, mist around the leaves with water once a week or keep a tray of wet gravel near the plant.

Do Crotons like full sun?

Croton plants prefer full sun, but depending on the species, some can tolerate partial shade. The amount of sun that the plant receives will correlate to the intensity of its color. In order to attain full, vibrant color, the plant should remain in good light.

Where do crotons grow best?

Many crotons grow best in full sun, but many cultivars can tolerate, and even prefer, light shade partial shade. Crotons are best grown in subtropical South and Central Florida. Frosts or freezes will damage them, but they quickly recover. When used outdoors this plant looks most attractive when grown in groups.

Do Crotons come back every year?

Even if freezing weather damages a croton severely, the plant almost always comes back, good as new, when spring arrives. Crotons need plenty of water. Even though they need good drainage they should not be allowed to dry out, which can happen in winter.

Can you keep a Croton outside?

Since croton hardiness is limited to freezing and even slightly above, northern gardeners should not attempt to grow the plant outdoors except in the warmest days of summer. Position the plant so it receives plenty of bright but indirect light to keep the foliage colors bright.

How do I make my Croton bushy?

You don't have to prune croton plants, but if lower leaves have fallen off and you want to encourage fresh growth, simply snip off the branches or stems at the desired height and the plant will soon fill out. To encourage a bushier plant, snip off the growing tips of each stem.

How often do Crotons need to be watered?

The University of Florida IFAS Extension recommends providing 1 inch of water each week to garden-grown croton plants. Watch the plant for signs that it needs more water such as slight wilting in the young foliage. Increase watering if the wilting happens during hot weather, but check the soil moisture first.

Why croton leaves fall off?

Heat and humidity – Croton plants are tropicals, meaning they thrive in warm and humid conditions. If your croton's leaves fall off, it could be that it's been exposed to cold or hot extremes such as open doors or air ducts. ... Light – Croton leaf drop and a lack of fiery color can be caused by insufficient sunlight.

Are Crotons hard to care for?

Crotons have some of the boldest and brightest foliage around. Often vividly marked with bright yellow, orange, and red, these exotic plants have a reputation for being high-maintenance due to their tropical nature, but once they acclimate to their new home, they're quite low-care.

How can I make my crotons grow faster?

Crotons have a slow to moderate growth, at up to 12 inches in a growing season. Consistently warm temperatures, regular watering and bright, filtered light encourage faster growth.

Do Crotons like to be root bound plants?

The croton plant will focus on regeneration rather than healthy growth. In nature, croton plants do not root-bound. They grow in a healthy way. The plant grows both its foliage and root system in normal proportions.

What is the best fertilizer for Crotons?

The best fertilizer for crotons is a low-nitrogen, time-released, granular fertilizer, that has an 18-3-6 NPK ratio. You should sprinkle the fertilizer around the base of the plant in early spring just as the weather starts to warm up.