---
title: "Hey everyone 👋 My once gorgeous (like as of last month!) Croton…"
description: "Hey everyone 👋 My once gorgeous (like as of last month!) Croton Petra went from thriving to un-aliving 🥴😭 pretty sure that cold snap in February really…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/ie8MWbnS8mH7PLrVcauaBh"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "SuccySuccy"
published: "2026-03-12T17:41:36.765599Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/YnlDjzbelIcMTP6_JWM-LFhgVp_XzOmM8ymjShXBSWw/7RsDh6LcTcCo9MAYWf79RQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hey everyone 👋 My once gorgeous (like as of last month!) Croton…

_Posted by SuccySuccy on 2026-03-12_

Hey everyone 👋 My once gorgeous (like as of last month!) Croton Petra went from thriving to un-aliving 🥴😭 pretty sure that cold snap in February really traumatized her. So, what’s my next move? It’s a pretty mature plant and I honestly don’t even know where to begin! Repot with fresh soil? Chop and prop? But… how?! Pls help, any advice is appreciated! 🪴

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/YnlDjzbelIcMTP6_JWM-LFhgVp_XzOmM8ymjShXBSWw/7RsDh6LcTcCo9MAYWf79RQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/YnlDjzbelIcMTP6_JWM-LFhgVp_XzOmM8ymjShXBSWw/-Jho8zI9SNyLZi_VpSBYRQ.webp?size=large)

## 14 comments

### AudPod commented on 2026-03-12

Since spring is a good time of year for pruning back and repotting, it’s a good time for a glow up if there’s life in her. I’d pop it out of the pot and see how things look below the surface. If the roots seem ok, I’d chop her down to maybe 6” above surface and sit back to watch her comeback like a boss over the summer.

If it’s been awhile since you repotted with fresh soil, you may as well knock that out too. I know some people would avoid this to not cause additional stress but I’ve found when a plant is already unhappy, repotting has the opposite effect. It’s like the go “ooohhhh yeaahhh, now we’re talking”

#### AudPod replied on 2026-03-12

Oh and reason I recommended such a big chop… when I had crotons that got so sick they lost most of their leaves, I went with conservative pruning and regretted it because once they began growing again they were all weird and leggy looking (think long stems with little poofs of leaves - plant version of awkward teenager). So I wished I’d just gone major haircut from the start

#### SuccySuccy replied on 2026-03-13

Great advice, tysm!!

### Buzzard commented on 2026-03-12

My croton was doing great for a year, and then completely collapsed over a few weeks for no reason I could discern. I’ve heard they are a little difficult.

#### AudPod replied on 2026-03-14

Soooo high maintenance

#### SuccySuccy replied on 2026-03-14

Honestly wasn’t finding this to be true for me AND THEN… 😭

### SaintCrane commented on 2026-03-13

I feel SO lucky that the cold snap that affected some of my other plants didn’t touch my Croton!

Wishing you success once you give it a big chop

#### SuccySuccy replied on 2026-03-13

🙏🙏🙏

#### SaintCrane replied on 2026-03-13

And what did I do this morning? Open my windows. Pray for me lol

#### SuccySuccy replied on 2026-03-14

😅😅😅🙏

### Dondoo52 commented on 2026-03-13

Sounds very familiar…I lost one in that way last year after having it survive for 4 years. I’m waiting for warmer weather to see if it comes back. I thought it was budding but now, it is just stalk🫤

#### SuccySuccy replied on 2026-03-13

Hope they both bounce back!!

### plantgeek commented on 2026-03-13

major haircut! i'm talking leave bare stems in the pot. only way she'll bounce back pretty lol

#### SuccySuccy replied on 2026-03-14

🫡

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