Just confirming, is this a croton?



If so, how do I take care of it? I've lost two leaves already (near the bottom of the stem), and you can see in this photo that another one's about to go.

Yeah, looks like a croton (proper name codiaeum) to me. My book says to mist regularly, water freely, keep away from hot sun and out of high humidity. In winter, water sparingly with tepid water. Draughts and fluctuating temperatures can cause the leaves to drop.

Hope that helps!
TW

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'To Forget How To Dig The Earth And To Tend The Soil Is To Forget Ourselves'

It is an Aucuba leaf Croton so-named because of its similarity to the Acuba, which is a different plant species.

It looks lie the older lighter colored leaves are dropping because it is not getting maximum light. The newer growth is a darker green color. That's fine, but yours will adapt to the reduced light by dropping older leaves. Best to provide as much direct sun on your sunniest windowsill as possible.

Ordinarily you should water as soon as the surface of the soil feels nearly dry, but yours is in a pot that is a tad too big, so you will need to allow the top half-inch to deary before watering thoroughly, regardless of the season

High humidity helps, but is not essential as long as watering is done properly. Warm. dry air will encourage the reproduction of spider mites, which love Crotons, so be vigilant for mites. Cool house temperatures are best for Crotons.

As it grows taller, it will become leggy. However, it can be pruned back when that happens.

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Will Creed
wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com
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