I like to get straight to the point… So, if your plants are in (desperate!) need of help, I’ll help you! I decided to write this article with the 4 most common causes why your Croton Petra is losing its leaves and along with that, the respective solution!
Croton petras are massively underrated when it comes to beautifying indoor environments. Thanks to their foliage, they add a vibrant but minimalist look that’s definitely hard to not notice and admire.
However, this plant is notorious for giving one a hard time because it often droops and loses a lot of leaves. In this article, we’ll discuss why that happens and what you can do to revive the plant.
Let’s dive right into it, shall we?
Croton Petra Drooping & Losing Leaves? 4 Causes & Solutions!
4 – Incorrect Watering
This is the MOST COMMON PROBLEM! Why do people like to drown their plants? I will never understand!
Both overwatering and underwatering a plant is a big mistake. Your Croton Petra can wilt and appear dry due to a lack of hydration or develop root rot if you go overboard with the watering.
Solution
Try to find a sweet spot when it comes to watering. Only provide enough to hydrate the plant but don’t drown it. A good rule of thumb is to water your croton whenever the top inch of the soil feels dry.
Also, manipulate the watering schedule according to seasonal changes. Provide a little extra during the growing season but back off in winters when the plant’s growth slows down.
3 – Pest Damage
Pest activity can also damage your Croton Petra massively.
Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, snails, and other destructive little creatures of the same category can injure your Croton leaves, causing them to weaken and fall off.
PS: Snails like to walk around at night… Believe me, you don’t see them, but they will eat your plant in your absence, I speak from experience!
Solution
Use chemical pesticides or homemade pest-control solutions made with neem or peppermint oil to protect your plant. If certain leaves appear to be damaged beyond repair, it’s better to cut them off entirely.
2 – Humidity Issues
In winter, the air can get especially dry which isn’t good for your Croton Petra.
The plant prefers higher humidity and will probably struggle with abnormally dull and weak leaves if kept in undesirable conditions for long.
Solution
To tackle the issue of humidity, you can simply get a humidifier and place it close to your Croton to add some much-needed moisture to the air.
If a humidifier isn’t available, a classic gardener’s trick is to lightly spray the plant with some water throughout the day to help maintain decent levels of humidity.
1 – Insufficient Exposure
If you believe the droopiness and leaf loss in your Croton Petra is a result of insufficient light exposure, you might have a serious problem on your hands.
If a plant that thrives in bright, indirect light is kept in a dark environment for long, there will be consequences sooner or later.
Solution
If you can, move your Croton pot to a better location where indirect light is sufficient. In case there aren’t any ideal spots to place your plant, you’ll need to bring in grow lights to promote growth and recovery.
Final Words
Seeing your Croton Petra droop and become weak can be an awful sight. A plant that adds so much sharpness and unique beauty to indoor settings losing its essence and suffering.
However, you can still save it! It just needs some love and attention; nothing more, nothing less. Moving your plant to a spot where it receives more light and changing your schedule to accommodate its watering timings is nothing but a gesture of love.
Express your love in the right ways and your plant shall recover.
