Have you ever seen your croton leaves drooping? If so, then it may be time to learn more about what is causing them to do this. Croton plants are very popular for their beautiful foliage and the fact that they are easy to care for.
However, sometimes these plants can have trouble with bugs or other pests which causes them to have some droopy leaves. In this blog post, we will discuss why your croton leaves might be looking sad and how you can help.
Why Are My Croton Leaves Drooping?
Your croton leaves are drooping because the plant hasn’t been given enough water. Croton plants are not very drought tolerant, so underwatering will cause your croton leaves to droop and wilt.
There are other potential causes, but by far the most common reason is underwatering. I have seen it time and time again, which shows just how easy it is to do.
Every plant owner has made this mistake once or twice (or thrice)!
How to Stop Croton Leaves Drooping?
You need to give your croton more water and humidity ASAP! You can do this in a number of different ways, which I will now go into in more depth.
Firstly, give a good dose of water to your croton. I recommend showering the plant with water until it drains from the bottom of the soil. Doing this will completely saturate the soil with water and ensure that all of the roots are able to drink up as much water as possible.
Next, create a humidity tent for your croton. If you’re not sure what this is, it basically involves putting a large plastic bag around your plant to trap moisture. Within a week or so, the leaves will bounce back to life!
You could leave your croton in the bathroom with the door closed. Do this every night after you take a shower, so your croton can enjoy a few nights of maximum humidity levels. Using humidity trays is another good tactic.
Failure to act will cause the droopy croton leaves to fall off! This is why you must ask now to avoid any more damage to your beloved plant.
Other Causes of Leaf Droopiness
There are a few other potential causes of droopy croton leaves:
Pests
Have you seen any bugs on your plant? If so, that could be the problem! These pests can eat up all sorts of leaves and leave them wilting away. In fact, they frequently cause holes in croton leaves.
If you have spotted any issues with bugs or pest infestations, then I recommend using neem oil to remedy the situation quickly.
Also, do not purchase new plants from unknown sources as this is one way in which pests might make their way into your home without warning.
Disease
Croton plants are slightly more prone to disease than other houseplants. If your leaves aren’t recovering, then it might be worthwhile checking if they have any signs of black or brown spots on them.
These kinds of diseases spread like wildfire in the home and cause havoc for everyone! That is why you should act quickly before things get out of hand (or control).
Not enough sunlight
Did you know that crotons need a lot of sunlight to be healthy? If they don’t get enough, then the leaves will start to droop and even fall off completely.
If this is the case, simply move your plant closer to any windows in order for it to gain some more light and energy! Also, consider investing in grow lights ( Amazon link) if there are no windows nearby (with sufficient natural light) or at all.
FAQ:
Will droopy croton leaves kill my plant?
No, your croton should bounce back from drooping leaves as long as you take action immediately. If it doesn’t after a week or so, then please do not hesitate to contact me! I would be more than happy to help out in any way possible.
What if the problem keeps coming back?
In this case, it might be worthwhile to look into preventative measures that can reduce the chances of your croton becoming droopy. You may need to invest in a humidifier.
Will underwatering cause droopy croton leaves?
yes, underwatering will cause your croton leaves to droop and wilt. Take action by giving your plant more water and moisture.
Will my croton tolerate cold temperatures?
No, croton is a tropical plant that cannot tolerate cold temperatures. I would recommend keeping it in a warm area of the home away from any windows or doors that are left open for too long.
Why are my croton leaves drooping after watering?
Although they love water, there is a chance you may have given too much water. Also, you should be careful about what type of water you give. It’s important to only use room temperature water that is free from chemicals. I would stop watering for a few days and move the plant into a place that receives lots of sunlight.
Why are my croton leaves drooping after repotting?
Your croton is most likely stressed from repotting. In this case, it is best to take a step back and give the plant some breathing room. Do not water it for a few days until you see signs of improvement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you must act quickly if you notice your croton leaves drooping as the longer you wait, the more damage will be done to your plant. I recommend showering it with water and creating a humidity tent for one week in order to bring those leaves back.
To prevent it from happening again in the future, make sure to create a watering schedule and add more humidity to your home. A humidifier machine can be a life (plant) saver!
I hope this article was helpful and I wish you the best of luck with your croton!
Tim is an avid gardener from the UK. He was the founder of PlantCarer.com from 2021 to Sep 2023. He sold PlantCarer.com to Aaron. He has since started his own business called Seed To Supper, which provides new gardeners all the materials you need in a box (pots, seeds, compost and instructions) to grow your own delicious and nutritious vegetables and herbs from start to finish – no garden required.
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