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Why Is My Croton Dropping Leaves? (7 Reasons & 5 Solutions)

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The croton plant, also known as Codiaeum variegatum, is a widespread houseplant. Its most significant characteristic is the colored foliage. Although this plant requires low maintenance, you need to pay attention to any unusual signal. 

Many people wonder, “Why is my croton dropping leave?”. Indeed, this situation is common, even when you have just brought it home for 1 day. Read until the end to find out the reasons and how to take care of it properly.

Why Is My Croton Dropping Leaves
Why Is My Croton Dropping Leaves via Reddit

7 Reasons Why Your Croton Drops Leaves

A croton dropping leaves can be a response to changing in the new environment while you bring it from a plant shop to your home. In addition, many factors can lead to this situation, such as inappropriate humidity, soil, light, temperature. 

Here we have a detailed explanation for each reason:

Different environment

Crotons are averse to changing another environment because of slow adaptability. Losing their leaves is a response to the shock of a sudden shift in surroundings.

This propensity frequently causes the newly-purchased croton to drop some or all of its leaves in 3-5 days. It can surprise its owner, who is unfamiliar with its behaviors.

Lack of humidity

Croton plants are native to the tropics, where there is a lot of humidity. As a result, these plants are naturally designed to thrive in humid environments.

That’s why crotons can lose their leaves if they are living in a place with a low humidity condition.

Improper watering

Croton plants do not require a lot of water. However, their owners are more likely to water them sparingly and recklessly because of their nature. Croton leaves fall off as a result of underwatering. 

Remember that these plants are best suited to receive moderate amounts of water. So, excessive watering can also jeopardize the health of these plants.

It’s essential to keep track of how much water these plants get on a daily basis.

Temperature drops

As mentioned before, crotons are tropical plants that require a significant amount of warmth to grow. Therefore, they can live in somewhat colder climes, but they should not be exposed to extremely low temperatures.

If you let them stay in that harsh condition, crotons begin to shed their leaves (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit). 

Unsuitable light 

They may thrive in partially shaded conditions, but they require a certain amount of light diffused. If your croton does not get enough sunshine, its health will suffer greatly. In addition, crotons’ leaves may begin to lose hue and finally drop off under low light conditions.

However, although crotons need sunshine, excessive exposure to the direct sun damages their health and can even be deadly. Thus, the signal to warn you is their leaves dropping off.

Soil moisture

Crotons love wet soil, but be careful not to overwater your plant. Keep in mind that only water when the 2-to 3-inch top of the soil is dry, and make sure your watering plan is suitable.

Indeed, too much moisture in the soil can cause many different problems. First, it can be yellowing the croton’s foliage and then leaf loss. If left untreated, it will eventually result in the rotting of its roots, which will be deadly.

Croton is drooping like crazy Why Is My Croton Dropping Leaves
“Croton is drooping like crazy” via Reddit

Overuse chemical fertilizers

Overusing chemical fertilizers is one of the leading causes of the crotons’ brilliant colors fading and aggressively increasing leaf loss. Because the plant cannot tolerate that large amount of fertilizer, it is stressed and causes such phenomena to alert you.

5 Solutions For Croton Dropping Leaves

It might be alarming to notice your croton plant’s leaves suddenly drooping. Fear not! It’s a pretty regular occurrence, but it’s usually only transitory. If you provide them with the proper care, their leaves can regrow.

To aid in the recovery of their leaves, offer them enough care by carefully watering them, protecting them from strong sunshine and aridity. Furthermore, ensure that they are not staying in icy conditions.

Change soil moisture

If your plant is overwatered or underwatered, you might need some techniques to save it:

  • Put your plant in a bucket or any large container. Add water up to 3-4 inches.
  • Wait about 1 hour for the plant to absorb water through the opening hole in the pot bottom.
  • Check to see if the top 2-3 inches of the soil has been soaked or not (you can use your fingertips)
  • If you feel the soil still dry, pour water on it from above to speed up the process.
  • Drain the container after the soil is uniformly moist, let the croton rest, and wait for the water to drain completely.

Keep in mind that this adjustment can put stress on your plant due to the sudden moisture retention for the previously dry soil. So, it might cause your croton to lose part of its leaves. On the other hand, you might let it automatically adapt.

Adjust humidity

Croton plants enjoy humidity values of about 70%. Yet, you might keep it between 40 and 80% by using lukewarm or normal water to mist the foliage regularly.

You can put your croton on a pebble bed in a water tray. If you can afford a good humidifier, buy one to keep the humidity surrounding your croton at a consistently high level.

croton will not stop dropping leaves Why Is My Croton Dropping Leaves
“croton will not stop dropping leaves” via Reddit

Suitable temperature

Croton plants thrive in temperatures ranging from 15 to 29°C (60 to 85 °F). Thus, keep your croton away from heating or cooling vents, doors, and heat registers. Also, check that it isn’t in the way of any hot or cold drafts.

If you leave your croton in the hallway or balcony, bring it inside when the temperature outside dips below 10°C (50°F).

Move for proper light

You can place the croton in a dappled light source. Simply speaking, this would be in front of the west or east-facing window in your home.

Fertilizer concentration

Use all-purpose houseplant fertilizer once a month for best results. Yet, before using, ensure to dilute it to half the suggested concentration.

A white scab on the soil surface indicates fertilizer salt accumulation. This time, you need to re-pot your croton in fresh soil.


Conclusion

Any unusual signal is an indicator of inappropriate conditions. You need to find the reasons to revive it effectively. Losing leaves is a common situation for croton plants. Our post has offered you the answer for “Why is my croton dropping leaves,” along with corresponding solutions.

Hopefully, this information can help your croton thrive and become more beautiful to decorate for your house.