Can Croton Plants Be Planted Outside?

So, HOW TO HELP YOUR your dracaena?

Croton indoor plants produce some intense colors. There are many types of it with an array shape leaves. They can be a perfect addition to your garden or terrace. Outdoor conditions can be even more preferable for this plant.

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Croton is a small shrub,that can have the height of 5-6 feet. All careful gardeners know that its leaves are tough and are like covered with wax. A mature plant becomes green and changes its color.

All crotons are afraid of cold seasons. The origin of the plant is the tropical area, so the croton likes warm climate, and only receiving a lot of sun it starts to grow faster.

Can Croton Plants Be Planted Outside?
You can grow outdoors such cultivars of crotons as, for example Gold Dust, Banana, Icetone Red, Bravo, Karen," Norma, Mammy, Sunny Start, and Petra. But planting croton outside means that you will have to take several precautions into account.

First of all, they will feel comfortable outdoors but you should plant it in the warmest zones and only after the final cold temperatures. Although the genus is hardy enough to survive temperatures as low as 40 degrees, they do best if the temperature is between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

All my experienced friends grow it as an annual plant. Some of them put it in a pot outdoors and move it indoors before it gets too cold. Also if you live in the area which experiences severe heat, provide the cultivar with some shade.

It doesn’t like unfiltered, direct sunlight but feels comfortable in deepening light, because its vibrant colors depend on it.

Keep croton moist in summer. If the day is extremely hot, you might want to water your plant twice a day. Reduce watering in winter. My friends also advise to mist the plant during its period of growth. This will let the foliage stay healthy and bright. Well-drained soil with a lot of moisture is perfect for croton. Don’t forget that the container should provide good drainage.

Liquid or complex fertilizers should be used during the growth period. The recommended ratio of a fertilizer for growing a croton plant outdoor is 3-1-2, which means 3 percent nitrogen, 1 percent phosphorus and 2 percent potassium is required. The roots can be damaged if too much fertilizer was applied. Excessive amount of fertilizer can also turn bright and shiny leaves into dull ones.

Croton care outdoors also includes making sure your plant is not affected by any garden pests. Although this genus is normally pest-free, watch out for mealybugs, mites and thrips. These pests are likely to attack newly developed plants and because of them the foliage can become curled or speckled. If you are aware that there are pests on the species, treat it with a pesticide.

I’ve heard that croton petra is one of the most suitable cultivars for growing outside. So I started searching for the information on how to grow croton petra outdoors. The majority of Internet resources stated that you would have to choose a place with full sun. If you don’t have such a possibility, select a spot where it will receive morning sun and afternoon shade.

The soil must be both well-drained and rich in organic matter. Put the plant in the bed that was worked in with a slow-release fertilizer beforehand. The depth of the bed should be the same as in the container. The surrounding soil and the soil line of the stem must be even. Remove all the air pockets.

Saturate the soil around the roots. So as to help the soil with holding moisture, add some organic mulch around the base of the species (about 2 or 3 inches). Water the cultivar thoroughly. If there is no rain, provide the specimen with 1 inch of water every week. In winter, however, the watering must be reduced. Still, the soil shouldn’t get completely dry.

Don't hide away the croton and it will be grateful to you.