Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for webbing or tiny bugs.
- Check if the leaves have been staying wet after watering.
- Look for yellow halos around the spots.
Likely causes
Fungal Leaf Spot
PossibleHow to tell: You will see small, dark brown or black circles often with a yellow halo around them. These spots appear when leaves stay wet for too long.
What to do: Remove the affected leaves immediately to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid misting the foliage directly.
Spider Mites
PossibleHow to tell: Look for tiny yellow or white stippling on the leaves and fine webbing between stems. These pests thrive in dry, warm conditions.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap once a week for 3 weeks to clear the infestation.
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
When to worry
Worry if the spots are spreading rapidly across multiple leaves. A single spot on an older leaf is usually just normal aging.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the foliage dry and ensure your plant has plenty of space for air to move around it.
Keep your croton healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Will the spots go away?
- No, the damaged tissue will not heal. It is best to prune off heavily spotted leaves to keep the plant looking tidy.
- Should I mist my croton to prevent spots?
- Actually, misting can encourage fungal growth. Use a pebble tray with water instead to raise humidity without wetting the leaves.
More problems with Croton
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.