Crotons are also known as variegated bay and codiaeum variegatum. They originated in Indonesia and India and became popular in the mid-1920s.
Crotons have many varieties. All varieties vary in color range, size, growth and tolerance.
Crotons have many color bases such as red, yellow, orange, bright green, purple, pink, and many other shades.
Some varieties of croton (Codiaeum Variegatum) have a single color and others have a mixture of five to six colors.
But sometimes you may notice your croton turning green. This happens for many reasons.
A croton can turn green due to insufficient light, over-fertilization, high temperatures and low humidity. Crotons have a low tolerance to high temperatures.
But before you jump straight into resolving the croton greening dispute, you need to understand the mechanism of crotons (Codiaeum Variegatum).
For young crotons, turning green is normal. Crotons turn green before they begin to show their original colors. If you bought young croutons, study the plant well.
Little by little the colors will change. But if your mature croton turns green, you will need to check all the necessary items to restore your croton’s colors.
Other than that, some types of croton only have green or mixed or yellow-green colors.
Superstar Croton/Codiaeum Variegatum Pictum has bright green leaves with small yellow spots.
Similarly, Codiaeum variegatum Sunny Star, Codiaeum variegatum ‘Eleanor Roosevelt’ and many others have only green foliage.
If you have croutons (Codiaeum Variegatum) filled with multiple colors and it turns green, you need to go through the whole process to keep the original colors.
Mainly, there are three reasons why your croton turns green. Here we will discuss each of the elements in detail.
So, without further obligations, let’s settle the croton dispute by going green.
Contents
Why is your Croton turning green?
Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum) with its multicolored leaves completes your interior. It has many colors including orange, pink, bright yellow and green.
It has a special color combination of yellow and green. Orange, pink and yellow colors are always mixed with a green color.
The green color of a croton is a soft, shiny green. The color is not a neon green or a dark blackish green color.
If you notice the dark greenish-black color on your croton, it means your plant hasn’t received the right amount of light, water, and more for a long time.
In this case, you must study your crotons in detail to recover the wonderful colors of your plant.
So why is your croton turning green? The main reason your croton loses its color and turns green is an inefficient amount of light.
1) Inefficient amount of light
Light plays an expressive role in preserving the colorful foliage of crotons. Light supports the process of photosynthesis and controls the role of pigmentation.
If your crotons don’t get enough light, it will distort the foliage of the plant.
Is there a way to prevent your croton from turning green? Yeah! all you need is bright indirect light or dappled sun.
Direct sunlight will show a negative reaction to your crotons. In this case, you need to study the whole light guide for your crotons.
Crotons (Codiaeum Variegatum) thrive best in dappled sun or bright indirect light. If you are planting crotons outdoors, find a spot where your plant has access to dappled sun.
Dappled sun means filtering light using large tree branches or leaves. In dappled sun, the crotons will thrive without a problem and will also retain the colorful foliage.
The green color takes time to change into the original color of the plant (orange, red, pink, yellow, purple, etc.).
Crotons also thrive in partial shade. In partial shade, the internal mechanism of crotons will work exactly, but the plant may lose its original color and you will notice the dark green color of its crotons.
So choose the right place for crotons for colorful foliage.
If you are moving the crotons indoors, you will need to find where your plant will come in contact with bright indirect light.
It is beneficial to place your plant near a south-facing window. But if you live in an area with high temperatures, move the position of the plant. It is recommended to use a curtain or other type of filter to protect your plant.
If you need more information on finding the right light for your croton, check out ours. light requirements for a croton.
2) Overfertilization
Over-fertilization there is another possibility that your croton will turn green. Adding too much fertilizer to your croton can do more harm than good.
First, it will rot the roots of the plant. This ensures that the plant can no longer absorb water and that there is a lack of moisture on your plant.
As a result, the plant is traumatized and begins to lose its color, and two to three days later it will see only green leaves.
Now, how to recognize that your croton turning green is caused by over-fertilizing, not an inefficient amount of light.
Simply, if you see green foliage, as well as the floordries in two or three days, it means that it is caused by an excess of fertilization.
(It’s rare for people to over-fertilize, it’s usually due to an inefficient amount of light)
Now how to solve this problem. The best way to restore your plant is to transplant it.
It is beneficial to let out the rotten roots and provide the crotons with a new, stable environment. Try to water regularly (if you notice the soil drying out) and give the plant the right temperature.
3) Cold drafts or hibernation
If you live in an area where temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, this will affect the colors of your croton.
Crotons like warm, cozy temperatures around 20° to 20°C and humidity between 40% and 50%. This is the ideal condition for crotons to retain their colorful foliage.
In winter, the risk of freezing and discoloration is high.
If your crotons turn green in winter, you will need to move your plant. Bring your outdoor croutons indoors and keep the temperature above 50 Fahrenheit.
Is your indoor croton turning green? Next, you need to check three things: temperature, humidity, and water concentration.
If the temperature is adjusted according to the needs of the plant, then you should focus on humidity. Crotons like to thrive in normal to low humidity conditions.
In this case, it is advantageous to have a humidifier to restore colors.
In winter, it is recommended to water once every two weeks, but you can spray your plant whenever you notice that its leaves are dry. But don’t overwater your plant in the winter.
You may also be interested in: Why Are My Croton Leaves Falling Off?
4) Plague Infection
The last reason for the croton could be green. parasitic infection. It is very easy for pests to attract and affect crotons.
Pests often attack croton stems, robbing them of all their nutrients. In this way, the crotons become brittle and begin to lose their original color.
The best way to restore your croton’s color is to spray and clean your crotons of infestation.
final thoughts
Due to its aesthetic color palette and attractive leaves, it is considered the best non-flowering houseplant.
In addition to its beauty, crotons are also known in the medical industry, oil is extracted from them. They only live about 4 years and are perennials.
A caveat regarding the property of croton is that it contains toxic chemicals that are harmful to cats and humans. If you have cats or children in your home, they may try to eat them, so keep them out of their reach.
But crotons do not cause severe dermatitis in cats or humans. He only shows a slight reaction, but he needs treatment.