Houseplants - Croton
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  (March) About 10 years ago I bought a branch cut off a croton plant....one with red/green leaves.

About 3 months ago, a new set of leaves were sprouting from top center of plant, but they were yellow. I have used Miracle Grow on it once in a while. Then more yellow leaves developed at top. I wondered if the yellow leaves indicated a mutation. Then about 6 weeks ago it started dropping leaves, and it has continued. It is a single trunk plant and about 3 feet tall.

Is there a longevity factor involved...have I done/not done something I should have. I am afraid it is trying to die.

  Since the plant is 10 years old, I would say you probably know something about the conditions it likes, but here goes. The more light a croton gets, the more colorful it will be. They can have a variety of colors within the same plant. Crotons tend to have a fairly woody stem, and thicker leaves. It doesn't need as much water as some plants indoors. Move it to a location with bright light, and make sure you are not over watering. Have you ever repotted the plant? If not, it may be severely rootbound, and struggling from that. You only have another month to go before you can move it outside, where it should thrive. If it needs it, you can cut it back, rooting the top pieces you remove.

  I was given a plant a few days ago, and the accompanying tag says it is a croton. What I would like to know is can I put it out in my flower bed and what type of care does it need? Thanks for your help.

  Croton’s are wonderful houseplants. They would thrive outdoors in the summer, but would not overwinter outdoors. Gradually expose it to sunlight outdoors. It should thrive in the sun, getting brighter and more colorful foliage, with more sunlight. If the plant reverts to green leaves, it typically means it is not getting enough light. It is not particularly fussy for fertilizaiton or watering, but all container plants dry out quickly outdoors in the summer. Prepare to move it back inside next fall.

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