Things You'll Need:
- Peat moss
- Pine bark
- Sand
- Perlite
- Sphagnum moss
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Step 1
Plant croton in a mixture of 6 parts peat moss, 3 parts pine bark and 1 part sand, or 3 parts peat moss and 1 part sand.
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Step 2
Place plants in a sunny location. The color of the leaves is affected by how much sunlight the plant gets. Bright sun fades red and oranges. Not enough sun will prevent the leaves from changing from green to their mature coloration.
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Step 3
Water the plant as often as once a day if the plant starts to wilt. A slight wilt won't hurt plants, and it's a good indicator of when the plant needs water.
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Step 4
Keep the plants at a temperature between 60 and 80 degrees F for optimal leaf production. Temperatures below 50 degrees F damage the plant.
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Step 5
Protect the plant from excessive leaf drop by keeping it in a room with high humidity. Some leaf drop is natural as the plant grows and should not be a source of concern.
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Step 6
Use commercial houseplant fertilizer during the growing season. Follow the manufacturer's directions.
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Step 7
Take cuttings in the spring or summer and root them in a 1:1 combination of perlite and Sphagnum moss. They should be ready to be repotted after a month.
