It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This plant grows fast, which is why the root system of the plant can become pot-bound. And if the soil in which the Rubber Plant is potted has insufficient aeration, it is likely to become waterlogged easily. From the Moraceae plant family, the rubber tree gets its name from its thick, shiny, rubbery leaves. Wait till you see signs of new growth. More often than not, leaves begin to turn yellow with seasonal changes in the temperature or humidity. This book will teach you everything you need to know to grow thriving houseplants and help you identify problems before they impact the health of your plants. Watering problems are the most common issue, so think about these first. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It is placed in the category or ornamental plants because of its shiny, large leaves. Causes of Rubber Plant leaves turning yellow include overwatering, underwatering, sudden changes in lighting or temperature, becoming root bound, pest problems, or simply related to aging foliage. According to the NASA Clean Air study, the rubber plant is one of the potent air-cleaning plants that can naturally remove a pollutant called formaldehyde from the air. FAQs and Problems. Light Change – A common reason for a rubber plant losing leaves is a change in the light. Typically, younger leaves tend to droop and turn yellow first in the case of underwatering. The large, glossy leaves of rubber plants, which grow from 8 to 12 inches long, are their outstanding feature. If you prune away too many of the rubber plant’s leaves and branches, it won’t be able to photosynthesize and may die. We hope you are enjoying Gardenerdy! Copyright © Gardenerdy & Buzzle.com, Inc. But there can be times when you will see the rubbery leaves looking lifeless as the leaves turn brown, indicating that your plant is in trouble. Everything about Rubber Plants! Let it dry out fully during longer periods of time between waterings. I've had this rubber plant over a year, it's about 5 ft tall now. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If you mist the leaves of your rubber tree plant to keep them somewhat moist, you will prevent most mites or thrips from settling in. Try to place it somewhere that maintains temperatures consistently in the middle of this range. If your Rubber Plant has just started showing yellow leaves, chances are you have caught the problem early on. Watering too frequently may cause leaf yellowing. If you are able to identify the ideal location for a rubber plant and provide the growing conditions it needs, its foliage will remain glossy-green, the quality that prompted you to bring it home. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! Do you know that overwatering is one of the most common causes of yellow leaves on Rubber Plants? Don’t over-prune the rubber plant. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the common causes of rubber plant leaves turning yellow and offer solutions to fix the problem. Rubber plant is a hardy species that tolerates dry soil quite well, so prefer staying on the under-watering side. Krysten - Overall, your Rubber plant is very healthy and I don't think the wavy leaves are a cause for concern. To ensure that your rubber plant looks pretty at all times, you need to keep its foliage healthy. My educated guess is that you may be letting the soil get a bit too dry between waterings. Once you have worked out how to tell when your Rubber Plant needs to be watered, all you have to do is remember to check on your plant every few days to make sure it isn’t neglected. Ficus elastica (more commonly known as a rubber plant, rubber tree or rubber tree plant) is a popular houseplant because of its waxy leaves and larger-than-life appearance. My Gma gave me 2 rubber plants last summer and both were doing fine til a few months ago. Q. If your Rubber Plant is not getting the moisture that it needs, it is likely to develop droopy leaves that eventually start turning yellow. Around a month ago I noticed a couple leaves were turning orange. Now this ‘time-to-time’ depends on a lot of factors. A Rubber Plant ( Ficus elastica) with leaves turning … Never place a Rubber Plant too close to any central heating/air conditioning vents as that would greatly impact the humidity levels. The Best and Most Exciting Landscape Timber Ideas. Overwatering the rubber plant can result in yellow leaves. Leaves at the top of the rubber plant may start showing yellow tips or edges, and you might also notice stunted growth as the plant is not getting enough water to sustain itself. Often, it’s a call of distress from the plant asking you to don your gardener’s hat and fix the problem ASAP, whatever it is. Read my guide to houseplant soil to learn more. The over-watering will cause the older leaves, the larges at the bottom becoming spongy or yellow or brown or the brown - yellow spots spreading from the inner part of … This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In the wild, this plant can grow up to a height of 100 feet or more. So put all that anxiety to rest and just prune the yellow leaves to make your rubber plant look lush and green again. So, make sure that you always leave at least 2-3 leaves behind. The reason behind the rubber plant leaves turning yellow and falling off could range from exposure to dry air, powdery mildew, to the plant being pot bound. Watering. Should I Purchase or Make My Own Eco Friendly Weed Killer? article about identifying and treating common houseplant pests. For instance, some varieties produce purple-tinged foliage. F. elastica ‘Tineke’ has gorgeous yellow and shades of green variegation. … We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Problems arise when the pot doesn’t have drainage holes, or the drainage hole is plugged. It is natural for the old leaves at the … With some general rubber tree plant know-how and a few common garden materials, you can help prevent further leaf loss and reclaim the health of your plant. Rubber Plant Problems and Questions. Also, are you aware that there are multiple causes of overwatering that can cause your Rubber Plant to develop yellow leaves? It is natural for the old leaves at the bottom to fall off. F. … Get in touch with us and we'll talk... One of the popular cultivars of the rubber plant is Decora. The leaves might eventually fall off. Pro Tips on How to Make the Best Flower Garden. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Soil should remain damp, but not wet. To fix rubber plant leaves curling due to conditions that are too wet, water your rubber plant only when the top several inches of soil becomes dry, grow the Rubber Plant in well-draining soil and use containers with bottom drainage. Also keep in mind that it’s easier for the plant to regrow leaves … So if you spot curling or droopy leaves on your Rubber Plant, it is basically the plant telling you that it is not receiving the water that it needs to sustain its foliage. Here are some possible reasons- 1. The last question the leaves are drooping but still alive. The trick is maintaining a watchful eye on your plants to detect the problem early. At times, the plant might be exposed to sudden changes owing to its placement. If you find your Rubber Plant leaves turning yellow, you should take a little time to examine your plant and determine if there is a problem. Yellowing of the leaves could also be a sign of an infestation. Or you could just do nothing at all and let those yellow leaves drop naturally! Every plant parent dreads the sight of yellow leaves on their plants. Here are some additional tips to work out when to water your houseplants. First, you have to know why the leaves are drooping on the rubber plant. If you’re struggling to keep your houseplants healthy, you should check out my book, Houseplants Made Easy. They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and in this case it holds true. A change in position to lower light will cause your Rubber Plant to adapt. If you feel that the roots have started to rot, it is best to repot the rubber plant after pruning the affected roots. Only water your Rubber Tree when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. This is because your Rubber Plant is trying to acclimatize itself to the change in its environment. Though the soil needs to be moist, it should not be waterlogged. In this video I go through step by step the best process of cleaning plant leaves to get the leaves as shiny as possible. A. Rubber plants can grow up to 100 feet in their native homeland of Southeast Asia. In the winter, you can allow your plant to dry out a … How can I prevent thrips or mites from affecting my rubber plant? In case of a pot with clogged or no drainage holes at all, the excess water will not drain out. Yellow leaves are a typical indication of excessive watering. If your plant is losing too many leaves, then you certainly need to identify the problem quickly. If your soil is still moist deep in the pot after 4.5 weeks w/o a drink, your soil is inappropriate for the plant and the reason for the yellow leaves is related to that soil choice or over-watering. Symptoms of scales on rubber plants include yellow spots on the undersides of leaves, leaf yellowing, dropped leaves and the appearance of black sooty mold, which is attracted to the honeydew that the scales excrete. The temperature should not fall lower than 45ºF. When the plant does not get the nutrition and water that its needs, it causes its leaves to turn yellow and finally drop off. Rubber Plants do best when kept in a place that receives plenty of bright indirect light. Mealybugs, scales, and mites are known to affect this plant. You shouldn’t allow the plant to sit in water. Enjoy your stay at Smart Garden Guide. The best way to do this is to poke your finger into the soil to check the level of dryness. Loss the turgor pressure (water pressure between the plasma membrane and cell wall) of rubber plants. The most likely reason the leaves of your Rubber Tree are fading from deep, dark, burgundy is due to a lack of light. In such a case, it is always advisable to stop watering the plant altogether until the soil dries out and then follow these simple steps: The best way to determine if your Rubber Plant needs water is to check if the first few inches of the soil are dry. ✦ Genus: Ficus✦ Family: Moraceae✦ Order: Rosales✦ Scientific name: Ficus elastica✦ Also Called: Rubber fig, rubber bush, Indian rubber bush✦ Plant Type: Evergreen✦ Foliage Type: Green leaves that are large and glossy, ✦ Native to: Southeast Asia ✦ USDA Hardiness Zone: 10 to 11✦ Temperature: Between 60-75ºF (15-24ºC); Avoid temperatures lower than 55ºF (12ºC)✦ Humidity: Normal room humidity✦ Light Requirements: Brightly-lit location; Avoid direct sunlight, ✦ Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil✦ Watering Needs: Average watering to keep the soil moist; Avoid excessive watering✦ Maintenance Category: Low✦ Fertilization: Apply liquid fertilizer during spring and summer✦ Propagation: By stem tip cuttings✦ Pests: Mealybugs, scales, and mites. ’ re doing wrong, it doesn ’ t need direct sunlight can cause scorching of the major reasons the... 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