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About Tracy
Expertise
I have a great deal of experience with most tropical foliage houseplants. I am knowledgeable and experienced in the care and needs of many different kinds of houseplants as well as the pests and diseases common to houseplants. I have had experience with most propagation techniques. My specialty is Aglaonema, Ivy and the Marantaceae family, which includes prayer plants, calathea, stromanthe and ctenanthe. I am also knowledgeable and experienced with artificial lighting for plants. I can not answer questions about succulents or cacti and I have had very little experience with flowering plants. I can help identify plants ONLY if you send a picture of the plant with your question. Please feel free to visit my Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/experthouseplants for information and tips on plant care.

Experience
For the past 15 years I have always had at least 70 houseplants in my house at all times. I also have spent a great deal of time helping friends, family and neighbors with their houseplants.

Education/Credentials
I have done extensive research on the care of houseplants, the different kinds of houseplants, pests and diseases common to houseplants and artificial lighting for houseplants. I also have done some volunteer work assisting a master gardener for 5 years.

You are here: Experts > Style > Interior Decorating > House Plants > Croton

House Plants - Croton

Expert: Tracy - 11/4/2009

Question
Bought a Croton plant in the fall, replanted it and brought it in when it got cold. Now have it in south window and it seems to be doing well. It has several new leaves, but I am concerned that they may not change color with the limited sunlight here(northwest lower Michigan). I open the drapes each day so it can get light, but will have very little sun now til spring. Will the leaves turn?

Answer
Hi Pam,
  Moderate to high intensity sunlight is what a croton plant requires. Inside in the summer time the place for a croton is within 3 feet of an east or west facing window. A southern facing window during the winter may be just fine for a croton.
Like most plants, crotons go into a dormant (or at least a semi dormant) state during the winter. During this time of slowed growth a croton would not actually need as much light, water or fertilizer as it does during it's active growth cycle. Since it probably wont produce that many new leaves during it's dormant cycle, if for some reason the new leaves do not turn as much as you like in the south facing window over the winter you can always remove them in the spring with little damage to the plant.

** Please be aware that crotons are considered to be very poisonous plants. Please be careful to keep crotons out of reach of children and pets. The white sap that seeps out from punctured or broken croton leaves can also cause skin irritation and possibly leave stains on clothing.
Also remember, there really are no 'safe' plants. Any plant can cause harm to children and animals if chewed or ingested. No matter if it is considered poisonous or not. Even 'safe' nonpoisonous plants can cause stomach upset, skin rash, lip/tongue swelling or could cause a potentially fatal allergic reaction. Especially in young children, puppies and/or kittens.
It is always best to keep all houseplants in a place out of reach of children and pets.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions or need additional information please don't hesitate to ask.
          Thanks
              Tracy

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