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Colourful Foliage Plant Care Guides

Plants grown for coloured foliage almost always need more light than green plants to keep their colour. A croton that turns green, a fittonia that fades, or a polka dot plant that loses its spots is telling you the position is too dark.

This group covers croton, fittonia and nerve plant, polka dot plant, ti plant, waffle plant and zebra plant — unrelated genera that share one requirement: pigment costs light. Several also want higher humidity than average.

What they share

Bright indirect light, and more of it than you would give a green foliage plant. Consistent moisture for the fittonia and polka dot types. Croton drops leaves when moved and recovers slowly.

Browse croton guides · nerve plant guides · polka dot plant

Common problems

Colour reverting to green: not enough light. Fittonia collapsing dramatically: it dried out, and it usually recovers within hours of watering. Croton dropping leaves after purchase: acclimation, if the position is otherwise right.

All plant care guides · Is your light enough?

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