Crotons are one of the most popular plants for homes, offices, and gardens. Croton plants (codiaeum variegatum) are perennial evergreens from India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
This plant genus includes varieties with fancy names such as:
- Bush on Fire
- Gold Dust & Gold Star
- Mammy
- Mrs. Iceton
- Petra
- Magnificent
All bear the Crotons’ iconic variegated leaves in a wide range of colors.
Croton plants are easy to care for, requiring direct full sun or indirect, bright light. Give them moist (but not wet) soil or moderate humidity.
As with any other tropical plant, misting is a good way to keep one healthy in the office.
Crotons are not immune to infections, infestations, and several bacterial or fungal diseases. They fall prey to mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips.
What Are Some Common Croton Diseases?
It is rare for healthy croton plants to suffer disease problems. But, there are some common diseases that other infected plants can pass to croton plants.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose, is better known as bacterial leaf spot or leaf blight. It is a disease that will discolor leaves.
The disease creates tan-colored dead spots on the foliage. It can be highly contagious.
Bacterial spores can transfer from one plant to another as an infected leaf comes in contact with healthy foliage.
Crown Gall
One of the nastier plant diseases out there. Crown gall comes from the bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This is a Gram-negative soil bacterium that injects part of its own DNA into susceptible plant nuclei.
This bit of T-DNA is carried in the bacterium on a tumor-inducing (or Ti) plasmid. It works by disrupting the normal growth and cell division of the infected plant.
Grafted or plants injured, or propagated through stem cuttings are all highly susceptible to this infection.
Scientists have done a lot of research on this bacteria due to its potential benefits towards genetic engineering.
The large galls it forms on a croton plant, and transmit easily. It’s ability to remain dormant for long periods in potting soil make it a dangerous foe to the average plant enthusiast.
Nectriella pironii (AKA Kutilakesa pironii)
This fungal pathogen affects more than 62 known genii of plants, including croton.
Symptoms involve brown-ringed, slightly sunken spots on the foliage.
In the center is a pink mass of spores.
In time, the infected leaves will turn brown and fall off.
Oedema
This disease is the result of poor croton plant care. Overwatering causes Oedema, as opposed to an infection.
The plant attempts to absorb more water than it can store, resulting in blisters on the plant’s leaves.
Failure to treat this condition may result in heavy leaf loss.
Details on: Crotons Losing Leaves
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common plant infection. The mildew resembles a layer of thin grey or white dust covering both sides of the croton’s leaves.
The powder creates conditions causing stunted leaf growth over time. The mildew makes it far more than a simple eyesore.
Question: Are Crotons Poisonous?
How To Control Croton Diseases
Infected croton plants rarely need dumping. But the exact treatment options vary depending upon the disease.
Caring for an infected plant early on allows the best chances of a full recovery. It will also help prevent the diseases from spreading to other nearby plants.
How To Treat Anthracnose
Treating Anthracnose in one of two ways.
Carefully prune away each infected leaf. Be careful not to allow the leaves to touch healthy foliage. Dispose of the leaves. Sterilize your tools afterwards.
Use sprays of copper-based fungicides on plants with heavy infections.
Copper fungicides like Bonide are easy to find. Follow the labeled directions to reduce the risk of:
- Harming beneficial insects outdoors
- Creating health risks for your family when treating indoor plants
How To Treat Crown Gall
K84 is an antibiotic used against crown gall. It has been in use for several decades. K84 includes a non-pathogenic relative of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens bacterium.
K84 is most often used to treat seeds and may not be suitable for most infections.
The most common way to deal with infected plants is to remove and discard infected plants before the disease can spread.
Sterilizing or discarding the infected soil is also recommended.
How to Treat Nectriella pironii
Remove and discard any infected leaves, sterilizing all equipment used.
You may also use a broad-spectrum fungicide to combat this disease.
Oedema
This condition comes from a surplus of water. Treatment is simple. STOP watering the plant until it has had time to use or shed the excess stored water.
Adjust your watering habits to avoid a resurgence.
How to Treat Powdery Mildew
Croton plants may love humidity, but so does the powdery mildew fungus.
Avoid getting the leaves wet and reduce the ambient humidity to dry the fungus out.
You can use neem oil or potassium bicarbonate to kill the bacteria.