Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves for webbing.
- Check the leaf axils for white cottony fluff.
- Look for tiny yellow dots on the leaf surface.
Likely causes
Spider Mites
Most likelyHow to tell: You see fine webbing between leaves and tiny yellow stippling dots on the foliage.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Spray the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days until the webs disappear.
Mealybugs
PossibleHow to tell: Small white cottony masses appear in the crevices where leaves meet the stem.
What to do: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it directly onto the white spots. Repeat this every few days until you no longer see the pests.
Find out what's wrong with your croton
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
If you see heavy webbing or the plant is losing color, the infestation is severe. Act quickly before it spreads to your other houseplants.
Stopping it coming back
Increase humidity around your plant and wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every month to keep them clean.
Croton: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your croton and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Why do I keep getting spider mites?
- Spider mites love dry, stagnant air. Increasing the humidity or misting your plant can make it a less inviting home for them.
- Can I use dish soap to kill the bugs?
- A very mild solution of water and a drop of dish soap can work, but insecticidal soap is safer and more effective for crotons.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Croton
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.