I have a croton plant, and it's seemed a bit sad looking lately.. As far as I know it needs lots of water, so I've been giving it a couple mistings a few times a day.. Am I watering it too much, or too little?

Hi DrCookieCrumb,

Crotons (Codiaeum) (Croton's) are lovely plants; they are common landscape plants here in Florida. I've grown a few as container plants over the years and looking at your photo, the soil looks a bit too dry to my eyes. The soil should be kept evenly moist but not soggy, especially during the growing season, spring to fall, with reduced watering during the winter months. Codiaeum (Croton) like bright light but direct sun can burn the foliage.

I lose leaves when my croton doesn't get enough water.

Misting is fine for keeping up humidity if you're growing it indoors (as it would appear) but it also needs the soil thoroughly watered until water comes out the bottom, at least once a week, or when the top inch or so of the soil is getting dry. Sticking your finger in the soil, or hefting the plant to see if it's getting too light are good ways to tell if it's drying out too much.

In our gardens here in Florida, these plants get drenched by heavy rain, and often it rains every day in summer. If it's in a warm place and has enough light, I hardly think you could over-water it as long as it has good drainage (the water flows through after a few seconds).