Q: Underwatering is a common problem with crotons, and they'll start to drop their leaves if they don't get enough. Inspect the dropped leaves for browning on the tips and general dryness. Provide the plant with more water and start misting the leaves more often to correct the problem. Although crotons love moist soil, it is possible to water them too much. Wilting leaves are a sign of overwatering, and you can correct the problem by cutting back. Only water when the top ½ inch (13 mm) of the soil becomes dry, and never leave the croton sitting in soggy soil. Always choose a pot with good drainage holes to prevent overwatering. If the plant starts to drop its leaves and it's not because of underwatering, inspect the leaf edges for browning. This is an indication that the plant is being exposed to cold temperatures or a cool draft. Move the plant to a warmer location, or away from fans, vents, and other draft sources. The most distinct thing about crotons is their vibrant foliage, and the plant requires lots of sunlight to produce these bright colors. If the leaves start to lose their color, or if new leaf growth is a dull green, move the plant to a sunnier location. Crotons need about 6 to 8 hours of bright, indirect sunlight every day to maintain their health and colors. Gray patches on the leaves indicate that the plant is getting too much hot, direct sun. You can move the plant to a window that gets less direct sun, or install a shade cloth to protect it from the harshest UV rays. Signs of a spider mite infestation include yellow or brown spots on the leaves, pale or dull colors, and whitish webbing. Fill a small bowl with warm water and stir in a teaspoon (5 ml) of liquid dish or hand soap. Use a clean cloth to gently wash the tops and bottoms of the leaves with the solution. Leave the plant for about 10 minutes, and then wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.  Repeat every few days as necessary until the mites are gone. Alternatively, blast the plants with a sharp stream of water once a week to control infestation.
A: Water the plant more if the leaf tips turn brown. Water less if the leaves wilt. Move the plant if the leaf edges brown. Provide more light if the colors start to fade. Provide more shade if the leaves develop gray patches. Wash the leaves with soapy water to kill spider mites.

Q: Colds are usually accompanied by aches and pains. You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or NSAIDs (Aleve, Advil) to help relieve pains. Aspirin should not be given to children and teenagers under 19 due to the risk of Reye's Syndrome. You can try OTC cold medications, but there is very little actual evidence that they work much better than rest, fluids, and nutrition. The OTC medications can help with symptoms, however.  Read the labels of all medicines and talk to your pharmacist about possible interactions. Some medications (such as Claritin-D and Benadryl Allergy/Cold) contain multiple ingredients. So if you take Benadryl Allergy/Cold (which contains acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, phenylephrine) and also take Tylenol (acetaminophen), you may inadvertently overdose. Decongestants can help clear a stuffy nose and can be used as pills or as nasal sprays. Don’t use these for longer than three days. Try pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or oxymetazoline (Afrin nasal spray). Antihistamines can be used for coughs due to allergies. Antihistamines containing diphenhydramine can make you sleepy . Antihistamines, like loratadine (Claritin, Claritin RediTabs, Alavert), do not usually make you sleepy. Expectorants are cough medicines for wet, mucus productive coughs because they help bring up mucus. Cough suppressants reduce coughing. Topical ointments containing camphor and menthol, such as Vick’s VapoRub and Mentholatum, have been traditionally used for coughs and sinus congestion. Just rub a small amount onto your chest and around your nose. If you are not seeing a physician and these treatments don’t give you any relief within five to seven days, make an appointment to see a physician. You may be dealing with a more complicated situation. If you experience certain symptoms, call your physician for an appointment. These symptoms include:  Coughing up thick and/or a greenish-yellow phlegm Wheezing, or there is a whistling sound at the beginning or end of the breath Odd sounding coughs and having difficulty with breathing at the end of a cough Experiencing a fever (over 102°F or 38.9°C in infants three to six months; 103°F or 39.4°C in children and adults) Experiencing any shortness of breath
A:
Take a pain reliever. Take over-the-counter cold medicines. Use a menthol rub. Call your doctor.