Croton Care? Plant is losing all its leaves :(?

My husband purchased a Croton(about 1 hand high from the soil) and also a 'RubberTree' plant(about 4ft) early January. The 'RubberTree' is making new leaves like crazy but the Croton is losing all of its leaves. They become very thin like wet paper starting at the tips and then the color gets all muddy also. He feels really bad and I have never kept 'indoor' plants before. The house is about 78-82 degrees most of the time and @ nights it gets a little chilly about 72-78. He waters it to keep the dirt moist . THere is very little to none of the runoff. The little guy only has two of its original 5 leaves left and my husband bought some Miracle-Gro indoor plant food spikes to try and save him.


He is in an 8in(wide) clay pot with drainage saucer.


So what should we do? Should we put it outside? Cuz I think it is really an outdoor plant. We live in South Texas the weather is beautiful 77deg with sunny skies..i think Spring started already.


Thank you in advance for the help

Croton Care? Plant is losing all its leaves :(?
Sounds like your croton has been exposed to cold temperatures. They like it 'hot'.





Crotons will defoliate in cold weather and freeze at 32 degrees.





If the stem is still firm and solid, move it outside to a protected bright spot (bring inside if temps go below 40 overnight). It should develop new leaves.





If the stem is soft and spongy - give it a proper burial.