---
title: "OK, Croton lovers, what am I doing wrong? 😑 I have this plant under…"
description: "OK, Croton lovers, what am I doing wrong? 😑 I have this plant under a large plant light that covers a 3’ x 3’ area for six plants; I figured that would be…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/KE4MITtJXLoMPWlHika7zH"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Lynda"
published: "2025-01-05T04:42:18.839663Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ogsS0GJIvWBzx7CvItnCsicGb0YTD2umkWf-CRAbvzU/c4XeOe7OSu2aYkVI7mR5Tw.webp?size=large"
---

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# OK, Croton lovers, what am I doing wrong? 😑 I have this plant under…

_Posted by Lynda on 2025-01-05_

OK, Croton lovers, what am I doing wrong? 😑 I have this plant under a large plant light that covers a 3’ x 3’ area for six plants; I figured that would be enough light for it. However, I have not been able to get it to return to its previous brighter colors. I know it can be very colorful, and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. How can I get my Croton to be the colorful, beautiful plant, that it is supposed to be?  
TIA… 🤗💚🪴  
PS. I use Plant Juice on a regular basis for its fertilizer.

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ogsS0GJIvWBzx7CvItnCsicGb0YTD2umkWf-CRAbvzU/c4XeOe7OSu2aYkVI7mR5Tw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ogsS0GJIvWBzx7CvItnCsicGb0YTD2umkWf-CRAbvzU/94z729WyQ7G2O7p640JieA.webp?size=large)

## 11 comments

### Sage commented on 2025-01-05

Plentiful light and plenty of water when you do water, might do the trick! I saw someone with this same issue on another app, and that worked for them 😊

#### Lynda replied on 2025-01-05

Croton‘s do like to be dry before you water, correct? Maybe I am waiting too long before I water? Do you remember the app where you saw this info? TXS!

#### Sage replied on 2025-01-05

I saw it on reddit! I’ve never owned a croton before, so did some research to try and help

#### Lynda replied on 2025-01-05

TXS for the Research… I really appreciate it!

#### Cajun born replied on 2025-05-29

My croton is outside, so the amount of light is definitely different. But mine is smaller than yours, but in a larger pot. Maybe it’s time to give it some room. Also, because mine is outside and it’s raining often, it’s getting a more frequent watering. Crotons like water. Maybe water it once a week, and occasionally twice in a week. This plant was only about 8” tall 2 months ago.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mkNJEy4s-DhgshZ3QB1PJNiBf8C6NDIubZ_dT4uooNs/eprzeJ_pTP6PT7NoaSC1GA.webp?size=large)

### Kirsten commented on 2025-01-05

My croton is tiny but I read it likes to be wet. So I started to water mine more frequently (keeping an eye on it more than what this app would tell me what to do) and it seems to be responding better, in regard to growth. For the color, I don’t have much to say other than I’ve read through others advice that the more light you give a plant the more colorful it’ll be.

### Sunny commented on 2025-01-05

Crotons like direct sunlight. Use the light app or light meter to determine how much light is actually touching the croton. It might need its own light placed one foot from the plant.

Also, check the fertilizer is balanced. Too high of a nitrogen number can produce greener leaves sometimes. Plus, less fertilizer is needed in winter if growth slows. This has lesser effect on variegation compared to getting bright light for at least 12 hours a day. 🍀🪴

#### Lynda replied on 2025-01-05

TXS! I guess my Croton will feel privileged, as it’s getting its own plant light… 🙄

#### Kirsten replied on 2025-01-05

😂

### Kades commented on 2025-01-06

Late response but you can also put the croton on a stand so it’s closer to the light source!

#### Lynda replied on 2025-01-06

Great idea!

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