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Croton · Codiaeum variegatum

Why are my croton's leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on a croton usually point to a problem with how much water the roots are receiving. It is almost always a sign of overwatering or poor drainage. Check the soil moisture before doing anything else.

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yellow leaves on a plant
Photo: Trio3D, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil to see if it is soggy.
  2. Check if the pot has drainage holes.
  3. Observe if the plant is in a dark corner.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy to the touch.

    What to do: Let the soil dry out until the top inch is dry before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so the roots do not sit in water.

  2. Low Light

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves lose their vibrant color and turn a pale yellow or green.

    What to do: Move your croton to a spot with brighter indirect light. These plants need plenty of light to maintain their colorful patterns.

Yellow leaves on other plants

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.

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When to worry

A single yellow leaf at the very bottom of the plant is normal aging. If the yellowing is widespread or moving up the plant, you have a problem.

Stopping it coming back

Only water when the top inch of soil is dry and ensure your plant gets bright, indirect light throughout the day.

Croton: yellow leaves? 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I cut off the yellow leaves?
Yes, you can snip them off with clean scissors. They will not turn green again and removing them helps the plant focus energy on new growth.
Does yellowing mean I need to fertilize?
Usually not. Overwatering is a much more common cause than nutrient deficiency for crotons.

More problems with Croton

Back to the Croton guide

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.