Hi,
My friend saw my plant the other day and told me it looks sick. I have no idea what’s wrong with the plant. The plant has been like this when I first got it from my Aunt. It has been growing taller for the past few years but always had yellow spots on it. The leaves to fall regularly when it turns yellow. I just want to know if there is something wrong with it. If so, what should I do? I think it is a money tree?
Fear not, the yellow splotches /speckles on your plant is normal for the speckled croton, Codiaeum variegatum. Croton plants posses a variety of colourful foliage. Variously shaped leaves may be speckled and splotched with yellow, orange, red, pink depending on the cultivar.
This plant is native to Southeast Asia and like its native habitat a speckled croton requires plenty of warmth, humidity and direct sunlight. Because this plant requires a moist environment, you might want to consider running a humidifier in the room where it is kept, or spray the leaves with water every couple of days.
Make sure to fertilize your plant each week during periods of active growth ( April- August) with a dilution of 20-20-20 houseplant food ( follow directions on the package).
Let the soil dry out in between watering’s. Water the plant until the soil looks wet and water leaks out of the bottom. Make sure to disperse of the runoff.
Keep on enjoying your speckled croton.