Croton care in Melbourne

Which window suits a croton

In Melbourne the sun sits to the north, so north windows are the brightest and south the softest. Where it does well, by window and distance from the glass:

• N

  North-facing window

  2.5 h of sun in summer · 9 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideToo dark
• E

  East-facing window

  5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideToo dark
• S

  South-facing window

  1.5 h of sun in summer · 0 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backToo dark

  Far sideToo dark
• W

  West-facing window

  5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideToo dark

A Melbourne year with a croton

If something looks wrong

• Yellow lower leaves and wet soil

  Too much water. Let the top of the soil dry before the next drink; in winter that is about every 12 days.

• Long, stretched stems

  Not enough light. Give it the brightest window you have, right on the sill.

• Leaning towards the window

  It grows towards the light. A quarter turn every two weeks keeps it even.

• Fine webbing or white fluff under the leaves

  Spider mite or mealybug, most often as the weather warms. Wipe it off and check again in a week.

Plants that like the same light

• Fiddle leaf fig
• Snake plant
• Rubber plant
• Bird of paradise
• Umbrella tree
• Weeping fig