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The Croton ‘Petra’ is a medium maintenance plant. Check the top 1-2″ of soil, and if it sticks to your finger, it doesn’t need watering. The leaves will also droop if they’re thirsty but will bounce back afterward. Use lukewarm, filtered, or bottled water, and flush the plant.
How do I care for my Petra Croton indoors?
Crotons appreciate a generous amount of humidity. You can boost the humidity by misting the leaves, placing a humidifier nearby, or adding a pebble tray. This plant prefers temperatures between 60-70 degrees. Keep your Croton Petra away from drafts and cold areas like a windowpane in the winter.
Is Petra Croton an indoor plant?
Petra Crotons are easy-to-grow houseplants and are known for their colorful and variegated foliage, covered in shades of green, red, orange, and yellow.
How often should I water my Petra Croton?
Watering a Croton plant depends on the situation. It can be daily or weekly because you should never let the soil stay dry for an extended period. However, check if the soil is dry before watering to avoid overwatering and root rot. Keep your Croton plant evenly moist in the summer.
Does Croton need direct sunlight?
Croton plants develop their best colors when grown in bright light. As houseplants, they must be situated in a sunny window. They will tolerate medium light indoors, but won’t grow much and foliage may revert to plain green.
Should I mist my croton plant?
The soil in which the croton is planted should remain moist but not constantly wet during spring and summer when the plant is growing. Feel the soil and if it is dry to the touch, it may be time for watering. In a dry environment, the croton may require misting to maintain healthy leaf growth.
Why is my Petra croton drooping?
Crotons are sensitive to overwatering. Normally when a plant’s leaves are wilting this means it needs more water, however, if you notice your Croton Petra’s leaves are wilting, you may be watering too much. If the bottom leaves of the plant dry out and fall off, you are not watering enough.
How can I make my croton grow faster?
Tip. 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.
How big does a Petra croton get?
Great for container, or can be used as an indoor plant, or mass plantings. Best in partial shade to full sun. When planted outdoors, may require more watering to maintain growth. Can grow up to 6ft tall.
Is croton an air purifier?
Care, repotting, watering and exposure, are where you must focus your attention to make your croton even nicer. It makes our houses and apartments look lively with its elevated ornamental impact and unique foliage. And it also boasts a powerful air purifying capacity and effectively cleanses the air of formaldehyde.
How often should I mist my Croton?
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. Croton leaves are dust magnets. Gently wipe the leaves with a moist cloth twice a month to keep them clean and dust-free.
Why is my Croton dying?
The reason for a dying croton is usually because of under watering, over watering, transplant shock or due to cold temperatures. Crotons are tropical plants and sensitive to cold temperatures. Temperatures lower then 50ºF cause the crotons leaves to drop with a dying appearance.
Do crotons like lots of water?
Crotons need plenty of water. Even though they need good drainage they should not be allowed to dry out, which can happen in winter. With a container plant, don’t let the soil dry completely before watering.
How cold can crotons take?
Though crotons can withstand short periods as low as 40 or as hot as 100 degrees, they prefer, and do their best, where the temperatures remain between 65 and 95 degrees. That does not mean you can’t grow them in your garden here. You just have to be prepared and committed to taking special precautions.
How long does it take a croton to grow?
Native to Southeast Asia and Australia, these vigorous houseplants grow quickly in good conditions (i.e., lots of light and damp soil). Without pruning, crotons can grow to three or four feet high in just a few years.
Are coffee grounds good for crotons?
Can I add used coffee grounds to the soil of my croton plant? Yes, you can use coffee grounds, they help with growth. Try not to use a lot, as coffee grounds hold in a lot of moisture and can become moldy.
How do you water a Croton Petra?
How to water your Croton Petra. Water about once a week and let it dry out entirely between waterings. The Croton Petra loves humidity so either mist weekly or place in a well-lit bathroom with plenty of moisture. Avoid prolonged periods of drought.
How do you revive a croton droop?
If your croton is drooping, check the soil and make sure it is getting the water and fertilizer it needs. Crotons need well-drained soil and grow well in sand or peat. Plants grown outdoors need about 1 inch of water each week. Be sure to irrigate if there is not enough rain.
Why is my croton leaves cracking?
Splitting Leaves in Plants Leaves splitting down the middle of plants, like indoor orchids, are often a response to low humidity. Check your plant regularly to ensure it’s getting enough water and that any trays kept beneath it to increase humidity are adequately filled.
