Leaf Drop on Crotons & Other Houseplants || Croton | Ficus | Hibiscus etc

In this video I am discussing one of the most frequently asked questions I get on this channel which is; why are my plants leaves falling off? The common question is usually directed at growing croton plants, but the information here applies to leaf drop on ficus lyrata / fiddle leaf fig, leaf drop on ficus plants, leaf drop on hibiscus plants and many more common houseplants. Leaf drop on houseplants happens for many reasons, so here I went over some of the more common variables to evaluate in order to help figure out why your plant is dropping leaves. A lot of the information given to answer, "why are my crotons leaves falling off," are also things to consider for why plants leaves turn yellow or why leaves turn brown. Even though I gave a pop-up on the screen for very basic croton care, I am putting a link for a video on how to grow croton plants below this description.
How to Grow Croton Plants || Croton Plant Care
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[@cherylparks9780]

Hi Jeff. Thanks for all the great plant tips. Cheers 🍻 from Canada 🇨🇦.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Hey, Cheryl! Greetings from your southern neighbor! Sorry for all the noise from us downstairs 😁🤣

[@healthyauthentic7453]

Ahhh. I needed this. My poor Mami Croton, has gone bare in the middle, Just moved it inside. We finally had a cold snap in Georgia.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Love the mami crotons!

[@twistysunshine]

Your crotons always look so good! Thanks for the advice

[@TropicalPlantParty]

No problem twisty!

[@michellepollino4986]

Love crotons. Thanks for sharing this video. Very helpful.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

They are some of my favorite, classic tropical plants. So much color!

[@Tiki71]

Last year, when I dug up my crotons and put them in the greenhouse, they threw fits throughout the winter. This year I added more LED grow lights and only water once a week (heated greenhouse) and they're doing much better. I also do a leaf spray once a week to simulate a shower. We'll see how happy they are in January though.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

I'm sure they'll do great! Been watching your videos, omg you've been busy! 🤣😅 I've also been referring everyone who asks me about windmill palm seedlings to you, there's been an influx of questions about them lately.

[@roseladd6402]

💛 I really live the light from the crotons plants. They have that tropical look!

[@AllYouJesusAmy]

My hubby bought me of the 2 of Codiaeum Crotons yesterday at lowes. Bith plants are so beautiful...... They both are in the grow tent now. my red poinsettia is our master bedroom away from the window. My hubby bought me the Scefflera today from lowes. My Schefflera is my grow tent right now. Love my new live plants. Thanks for the helpful tips. Love all of ur plants, my pointsettia is in a warm area of our master bedroom. All of my live new plants thriving.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Awesome! Your jungle is growing!

[@darciwilson7497]

My croton was thriving outside this summer and was looking full and beautiful...brought it in, my son threw a blanket on it and knocked a ton of leaves off 😞 it has dropped a few more...hoping it is just from being brought inside. It is so bare right now! Hoping I can get it full and beautiful again this spring!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

I bet it will be fine. When I was a kid I would stick my crotons on my basement and they'd completely defoliate and flush back out with leaves when I moved them back outside.

[@suepowers1139]

Love watching you. Things are so different for you than me gardening in central FL!!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! Hopefully I'll know what you mean someday, would like to move myself and my plants down there.

[@rhomeshiasamuels-wilson5449]

Headed in to home depot to buy 2 now. Wish me luck

[@cojoestropicals2929]

Great insight on “hardening off” I like to go super slow too I’ve been able to get some of my philodendron in full sun for part of the day by starting minute by minute and they start to do amazing things 👀

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thanks! Really is amazing what a difference it makes when we move them nice and slow into the sun. My bipinnatifidum goes into full sun and loves it!... until I move it inside and under grow lights. 😅🤣 then it turns to stone for a few weeks while it adjust.

[@cynthiarobinson9854]

Jeff, l enjoyed🥰your video regarding how to better evaluate why your croton🌱 (or any plant) is dropping its leaves! Sometimes I forget to check the soil! Great video! Take care!🙏🏿

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thanks you! I think most of us forget to check the soil unless something seems off with the plant. I know I certainly don't check unless something is out of whack.

[@theycallmeyaz]

Ok you're hilarious and I love it..I have a pink princess croton that I left in my mom's care that I'm trying to REVIVE. I'm thankful for the tips.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Ha! Thank you! Pink princess croton? Never heard of that one, will have to look it up. They are such awesome plants, so many different varieties.

[@LearningToLive336]

Hey! I love your video so much. It was so informative, and really helpful! My croton gold dust leaves are fading, so I’m going to look into some of what you said and hopefully bring that guy back to life. Same with my ficus; some dark spots, leaves dropping, but it eases me to think it might just also partly be from moving it. I’ll reevaluate water and such. Thank you so much for your help!!

[@sandyg8794]

Hi Jeff! I don't have a croton yet, but found this very interesting. I do want to try and find a "Freckles" some day, they are so pretty. I saw some Petra" yesterday, but was afraid if I bought it and took it out in the cold, and had to leave it in my Honda for a few hours, it would just loose all of the leaves. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Good thinking! The petras could drop some leaves just from you looking at them funny😂🤣 i really wish the Freckles would get more popular because im just blown away at how easy it is to grow.

[@sv4673]

We love you Jeff! Happy Holidays:)

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Aww! Thank you so much! Happy holidays!

[@sheilabroad8192]

Indoor gardening is my thing. Those Crotons are beautiful though. 70-100% humidity?? The plants must love it. 🥺💕

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Oh they love it! ... much more than I do🤣😅

[@135Bubby]

Have you? if not, would you? do a video on how to care for poinsettias and how to keep it living etc after the holidays? Thanks!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

I'm pretty sure I did a poinsettia video last winter. If not then I'll definitely do one this year. I know you'd think I'd know what videos I've done, but nearing 700 vids on the channel so I forget sometimes.

[@yusrayusuf6894]

Bahot he khubsurat plant he mashallah

[@MOJUSA]

Amazing. Cool gardens. Thanks for sharing. Happy holiday🎄😎

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! Happy holidays!

[@judymckerrow6720]

She’s beautiful, even with her leaf drop.Do you know how old she is? Mr. Freckles is looking great too💚🙃 Thanks Jeff💚🙃

[@TropicalPlantParty]

One of my faves! Ive had it for 2 or 3 years but I dont know how old the plant is.

[@tstarr2399]

I woke up one morning all the leaves were on the floor. A full plant decides to turn to twigs overnight. It was so beautiful and this made me so sad..."Brats" is an understatement...

[@ECMoPo]

I have a Croton since the last year and at the beginning I thought the leaves were dropping because she had a traumatic transportation home (a lot of movement), but it’s been a year and she’s going bald.🥺 She’s showing new growth and those leaves look healthy... but the ones that are already grown are opaque, some of them even crispy and everyday she is dropping a lot of them. I spray her daily and I’m thinking on buying a humidifier because maybe she needs a lot more humidity. If that doesn’t work, I may take her to my parents home to let her outside... that may be what she needs.😢 She’s one of the hardest plants I’ve ever had jaja. 😫

[@BLANKU2]

Hi, I keep mine in a plastic planter and keep a watering can near by it gets bright light with a white sheer on a tension rid to filter the light. every three days I lift the pot a little to see if its light and give it a little water.

[@mariolulab5527]

Very picky plant though I love the crotons vibrant color foliage

[@ruthstevens3720]

Love your crotons! I repotted my daughter’s croton she had mixed with Sensevieria and fern for over 3 yrs. I separated them and planted the croton in a self watering pot with a well draining soil and all the leaves dropped. 😢😢😢 The stem when I scratched it is green so it does still have life. Will new leaves grow? My daughter is so unhappy with how it looks. Help! 🥺🪴🌱

[@kellyschmidt533]

Hi Jeff, any ideas about lime trees dropping leaves? It's a key lime and it is planted in fine wood chips from the grower. I make sure to let it dry out between waterings. it sits under a grow light and recently put out a bud, but is still loosing leaves(a few every other day). It hasn't been moved since September. Any incites would be greatly appreciated, thx ,Kelly from small town Canada P.S. happy to hear things are better health wise

[@Hello_Fuckers0]

We have a very old house, windows in the right directions just small and not enough. And there's awnings over 2 and a covered porch over 2 others. I have 1 south facing and 2 east facing windows without obstruction ,where the majority of my plants are located.

[@ashtri0824]

I have a croton I got from my grandpas funeral. My mom and dad had it at their house and it wasn’t getting enough sun and was dropping ALL its leaves. I brought it to my house and it has been thriving in a south facing window for a year. Then suddenly it started smelling really bad. I took it out of its pot and rinsed it with water and took it outside thinking it needed to air out. I was very wrong. It then started getting this matte tanish color on the leaves. And then all the leaves started falling off. After watching the video I think I am dealing with root rot. If you have any other advice I would greatly appreciate it. I really want to save this plant because it is from my grandpas funeral and going and buying a new one will not be able to replace its sentimental value. 😢

[@suepowers1139]

That common croton is Petra.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

The classic beauty!

[@ONeaux]

What if the leaves droop like a mop but DON'T fall off? I'm so devastated at what had happened I'm almost waiting for the end. Do they die with all the leaves attached?. I'm hopeful and willing to wait but I'm also a novice, first croton.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

That can happen for a few reasons. If the leaves are mushy and yellowing, I'd check the soil to see if it is too wet and also check for fowl odor, which would indicate some rot going on. If that's the case I'd unpot it, clear out as much soil as you can then spray the roots down with an anti fungicide and repot it. It will throw an absolute fit when you do this and will take time to recover. Second problem could just be that the plant is really really thirsty. When the leaves droop on mine it always means they need a heavy soaking.

[@ONeaux]

@@TropicalPlantParty Thank you very much. I will try, fingers crossed!

[@jrich905]

How many years do you think you have had this big Croton? I've never had luck with them but I'm trying 1 again. I've had it about 3-4 weeks now, it hasn't lost any leaves and it has new growth coming in. 😁🤞 I need to look for a freckles. I always love when you show yours. I hope you're well!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Hey Jessica! I got this big one from Greenscape nursery in 2018 or 2017 and its grown maybe 18 inches overall, most of which was this year. Im assuming the sudden extreme growth spurt was because I amended the potting soil with some good compost and slow release when I moved it outside. That's awesome! If it's putting out new leaves, then it probably isn't going to drop any. Woot woot! Green thumb!

[@jrich905]

@@TropicalPlantParty I feel like I fake having a green thumb but I definitely try! I've learned a lot from your videos! 🙂

[@sandorspalms]

Great video Jeff 👍😂🏝️

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you!

[@phreaddyful]

Amazing. My Croton is quite full at the top, but the trunk lost a lot of leaves in its old location, any tips on refolating the trunk?

[@tinamarieussery3063]

Yes they ate a pain i have killed 3 and now have to big box normals i got in good shape at lowes but clearanced doning okay in my warmest room with the most degused sun. Bright enough i can read so bright light just not direct

[@TropicalPlantParty]

I bet they make the room so bright and beautiful!

[@sherrywalker4619]

You go guy!!!💖💖💖

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thanks, Sherry! Happy Saturday!

[@anitajones7090]

Thank you for this video. My croton was growing good. I placed it outside for the Summer (I live in WNY) on east facing patio. It’s been very sunny, 80’s and above. But I will be on vacation and it’s getting close to end of summer. I repotted, sprayed with insecticides brought it inside, west facing window but the leaves are droopy. It’s been watered,distilled water only, fresh soil mix ( worm castings, orchid bark, perlite and potting soil). Could it be because it doesn’t like being moved 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@najlajaber5643]

What’s kind of fertilizer report on please and thank you and what’s a pH and tell me exactly what the fertilizer please and thank you

[@louisecolombi6630]

I’m debating whether I’m going to bring my crotons outside next summer, and if so, do I keep them in pots or plant them directly in the garden flower patch? 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@TropicalPlantParty]

The ones I put directly in the ground always have a much harder struggle when I dig them up in the fall. Makes it harder them since they have to re-establish their roots. I love how they look worked into the garden!

[@KacieRiley]

Mine won’t grow new leaves at all :,( it has like 4 leaves 😭

[@simimi4851]

Can the leaves grow back once they drop? We are searching root issue but my croton has dropped a LOT of leaves. I believe I repotted her for the first time without the nursery by myself two months ago...How can they bounce back and can they get leaves back FULLY?

[@xenic101]

Your croton probably dropped more leaves than mine has...but still, it did fine coming inside, unlike when I took it out last spring and wound up with nekkid sticks.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Spring was weird this year though! I remember how much scorch there was even when I started them in shade the same as I always have. Oh mine dropped tons of leaves!... but mostly from the bottom branches so I dont really care. Already budding out from the tips.

[@diyamodak7968]

Hi...i recently reported my croton plant..it dropped all the leaves... I uprooted it and checked it was bcoz of root roting.... I proun the roots n treated with fungicide liquid....n reported again in well drained good soil....how many days I will see results...

[@jaclyncamacho2420]

💙You're amazing. I appreciate you. I just wanted to let you know. All my love and support. 💙

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Aww! Thank you so much! Hope you are doing well!

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

I think you need 10 or 20 more Croton. I don't see Andrew or Red Iceton or Oakleaf or Mrs Iceton. What gives?

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Ha! I agree! I actually purged a bunch of my petras this year to make room for different types. Didn't see a reason to have 5 petras, especially when I have the one that's so big.

[@abrahamchampagne3083]

Idk if I even have a sunny enough spot indoors for my croton. Had for 6 days and a leaf dropped last night. Know of some good looking artificial light options that I could add to my living room?

[@TropicalPlantParty]

They are such divas! Lol! I've been pleased with the Sansi grow lights. Got them off Amazon a few years ago and they're basically the only ones I use now. Should be a link in the video description for them. 😊

[@abrahamchampagne3083]

@@TropicalPlantParty thank you!

[@angelhawk-fr9uh]

Hey you! Just being curious but what's your background in plants....just a hobby?....or did u go to school or become a master Gardner etc....

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Hobby since I was around 5 or 6 yrs old, have worked in horticulture and have a little bit of college background, but not as my major or focus in school.

[@hoolooanjiri]

Need help please 🤒- I have a beautiful, large indoor croton. Over the years, she had grown in an odd shape (a big branch growing horizontally instead of vertically). To correct that and also give her more room, I recently re-potted it in a ceramic pot almost 3 inches bigger than what it was in before. She was doing OK at first but after a few weeks, started dropping leaves (almost 2 leaves each day for almost 2 weeks). Also, the growth has been drastically slowed down (I can see some baby leaves coming out, but they either grow so slowly or dry up and die). I know crotons don't like to be moved and since she is a big plant the re-potting could have been shocking, but not sure if that's it and I should just be patient and give it time to adjust. Anyone here with a similar experience or tips for how to trouble shoot? much appreciate your help! @Jeff 🙏

[@953orion]

Im just starting the video and had to pause and say...... i brought my ficus Alii home from work(cause ive been working from home... pandemic and what not) and it has done nothing but try to die since! It was doing ok at first, but its been slowly dropping leaves since April and now it has none! It doesn't get much natural light but I have it under a grow light that my other plants love! Its finally dropped its last few leaves and it a braided pile of sticks now. Is it a goner Jeff?

[@TropicalPlantParty]

There's always hope, if you can get into some more intense light and maybe a warm spot it could bounce back for you. Can do a scratch test, which I just realized I forgot to mention in this video... lightly scratch at the bark and see if there's green underneath, if there is, then there's still hope.

[@sheilacasper2030]

My mini sheffleria has been dropping the lower leaves.

[@AllYouJesusAmy]

Hope this helps. The reason for the dropping of leaves is because either to dry or to wet, or plant is stress, or over watering ur plant. The reason for leaves dropping, is because the conditions may not be correct for the plant. Awwww i am so sorry to hear that. Hope ur plant survives and thrives. If ur move plant around or to cold or to hot, it may drop leaves. Old leaves will drop naturally. Either to much or to little watering may cause leaf drops.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Are they falling slowly and changing color slowly before falling off? Or is it very sudden?

[@sheilacasper2030]

They are falling suddenly, not changing colors. It was outside this summer and i moved it back inside. Its not too wet. It could be too dry. I use a moisture meter and water when it is very dry. Its one of my oldest plants, probably 4 years old. I will try watering it thoroughly to see if that helps. Thanks!

[@maggiestevenson6237]

Has your monstera ever fruited

[@TropicalPlantParty]

No, but it would be amazing if it does!

[@thecakepopsistars]

Debating whether to toss out my croton that got badly infested with spider mites. Or could I try cutting it right back will it come back?

[@user-ud6fn7op8q]

How do you procreate croton plant

[@momof3160]

Do leaves on croton fall when they are just "old"

[@karenapodaca9155]

I just planted my first Croton and it ended up going in a little crooked to one side will the plant right itself or do I need to dig it up and do it myself

[@hoolooanjiri]

I have a large plant with that issue. I suggest correcting it yourself, the plant won't correct itself but keep growing in that direction.

[@supriyasunil8935]

What do I do if my croton has lost all its leaves?

[@EileenWstCstGrl]

Now I wish I hadn't dumped mine. It looked really bad and I was in the moment. :(

[@TropicalPlantParty]

😅🤣 been there! I totally understand having those moments, sometimes we've just had it with a plant and have lost the spark. Out with the old and in with the new!

[@mirabielangel1898]

Can you do a thing on christmas cactus? I bought a beauty only to have it drop all buds!! I thought they were indestructible.

[@sheliaglover565]

I'm in Indiana I bought one this year also it was a beautiful pink flowers covered in bed when I got it home and put it back by the North patio windows in the middle of the room bad start dropping and I remember somebody telling me that they need a lot of dark but I think that more or less near the blooming season for Thanksgiving or Christmas day I repot it it and sprayed the whole outer part of the plant hydrogen peroxide and also neem oil is it real good so I'm hoping it will take off I would love for it to get big I read something about using baking soda but I'm going to have to study up on that one good luck

[@cllnsnmrtn1]

it must cost a fortune running all the lights you have???

[@joanlyn698]

💛💛💛💛