Yellowing leaves are a common issue that afflicts rubber tree plants This striking houseplant with its large, glossy foliage can suffer when its needs aren’t met Fortunately, with the right troubleshooting, you can get your rubber plant back to its vibrant self.
Why Rubber Plant Leaves Turn Yellow
There are several potential causes of yellowing leaves on a rubber plant. By examining your plant closely and making a few adjustments you can solve the problem.
Overwatering
Excessive watering is one of the most frequent reasons for yellow leaves on rubber plants. Constantly soggy soil leads to root rot, which prevents the roots from taking up nutrients. The leaves then turn yellow and mushy before dropping off the plant. Check the soil moisture before watering and allow the top few inches to dry out between waterings.
Underwatering
While overwatering is more common, letting the soil dry out too much can also cause yellowing. Rubber plants like evenly moist soil. Check the moisture regularly and water before the top couple inches become totally dry. The leaves may turn yellow and dry if underwatered.
Improper Lighting
Insufficient light leads to pale yellow foliage, while too much direct sun causes yellow spots. Rubber plants need bright, indirect light. Acclimate the plant slowly if increasing its sun exposure. Low light causes uniform yellowing, while too much light leads to patchy discoloration.
Pests
Sap-sucking insects like spider mites, scale, mealybugs and aphids can all cause yellow stippling on leaves. Check for any signs of bugs, webs or sticky residue. Wipe leaves with soapy water or use insecticidal soap to control pests.
Temperature Changes
If moved to a new spot with different temperatures, rubber plants may drop some lower leaves as they adjust. As long as new growth looks healthy, this is normal. Avoid placing rubber plants near drafty areas or HVAC vents to prevent temperature fluctuations.
Root Bound
A potbound rubber plant may yellow as the confined roots struggle to take up water and nutrients. Repot into a container one to two sizes larger if roots are coiled densely or emerging through drainage holes. This encourages new root growth and eliminates yellow leaves caused by restricted roots.
Old Age
Lower leaves naturally yellow and drop off as they age. This is normal shedding. Remove any shriveled yellow leaves to keep your plant looking its best. As long as newer leaves look healthy, old leaf drop is nothing to worry about.
What To Do For Rubber Plant Yellow Leaves
Once you’ve diagnosed the cause of yellowing, you can take action to restore your rubber plant’s health. With a little TLC, it will be back to its vibrant self.
Adjust Watering
If you’ve been overwatering, allow the soil to dry out further between waterings. For underwatering, water more frequently. Check the moisture before adding water to ensure you’re meeting its needs properly.
Treat Pests
Insecticidal soap, neem oil or rubbing alcohol can control pests. Remove heavily infested leaves. Maintain control by spraying plants weekly with soap and water to prevent future infestations.
Increase Humidity
Rubber plants prefer 40-60% humidity. Group plants together, use a humidifier or place it in the bathroom to increase moisture in dry air. Mist leaves daily or use a pebble tray to provide a little humidity boost.
Repot
Carefully remove the rubber plant from its pot and loosen any circling roots before repotting in a container one or two sizes larger. This encourages new root growth and provides adequate room for the plant to thrive.
Prune as Needed
Remove any dead, dying, or heavily infested leaves. Pruning stimulates new growth and improves the plant’s appearance. Sterilize pruners between cuts to avoid spreading disease.
Move Gradually if Increasing Light
Acclimate the plant slowly if moving it to a brighter area, increasing the time in the new spot from 30 minutes to several hours over a week or two. This prevents leaf scorch from sudden light changes.
Fertilize Regularly
Feed plants monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half. Fertilizing ensures the plant gets key nutrients that may be deficient in potting mix alone.
Treat Root Rot
Overwatering can cause root rot. Remove the plant from its pot and cut off any dead roots. Spray remaining roots with copper fungicide and repot in fresh soil. Soak the soil with fungicide every few weeks to control pathogens.
Preventing Future Yellow Leaves
With the proper care, you can keep your rubber plant thriving and prevent future issues with yellowing foliage. Here are some tips:
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Allow soil to partially dry between waterings and always check moisture before adding water.
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Keep the plant in a spot with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch leaves.
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Maintain moderate humidity around 40-60%. Group plants together or use a humidifier to raise moisture levels.
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Inspect regularly for pests and treat any found immediately. Quarantine new plants to prevent introducing pests.
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Repot annually in spring to provide fresh soil and prevent roots from becoming bound.
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Rotate the plant periodically to ensure even sunlight exposure and growth.
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Keep leaves clean by dusting periodically and washing with soapy water when needed.
With the right care, your rubber plant can thrive for years as an easy, beginner-friendly houseplant. Pay attention to its needs and act promptly when problems arise. With just a little TLC, you can get those gorgeous green leaves back in no time.
Incorrect Lighting and Temperature
Other changes in environmental conditions, such as sudden changes in lighting or temperature, may also cause a rubber plant with yellow leaves as it struggles to reacclimate itself to the change. This is why it is important to be consistent in your care of a rubber plant.
Rubber plants prefer bright, indirect light and fare best when they are kept in temperatures in the 65 to 80 degrees F. (18-27 C.) range.
The leaves on your Burgundy Rubber Tree could be turning yellow for a number of reasons. Let’s investigate and get to the bottom of this!
Moisture
The most common cause of yellowing leaves among Rubber Trees is improper soil moisture–in particular, overwatering. Only water your Rubber Tree when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Soil should remain damp, but not wet. In the winter, you can allow your plant to dry out a little more between waterings.
When you water, make sure you provide enough water so that liquid flows from the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and into the saucer. It’s extremely important to discard any excess water in the saucer, as your Rubber Tree will not respond well to “wet feet,” which causes the roots to rot and the eventual death of the plant.
Providing proper and consistent soil moisture is important in caring for a Rubber Tree. Alternating between bone dry and wet soil from ill-timed waterings can create stress and cause your Rubber Tree to yellow.
Your humidity level
Low humidity and dry soil cause leaves to droop and brown on their edges, later followed by entire yellowing. Misting the leaves of your Rubber Tree often will increase the humidity.
Improper Light
Rubber Trees will grow best when placed in bright indirect sunlight. When exposed to direct sunlight for too long, the foliage will burn. While Rubber Trees can adapt to low light areas, their growth will slow and the leaves will fade from dark burgundy to a greener color.
Pests
A weakened or stressed Rubber Tree is more susceptible to insect infestations. Sap-sucking bugs like spider mites can drain your plant of moisture. This problem quickly manifests itself by yellowing leaflets and fronds. Scale, mealybugs, and spider mites occur frequently in indoor conditions. If not killed early on, these small pests proliferate and move all along frond parts into nooks and crannies. The piercing mouths of the insects exhaust your plant and accelerate yellowing, especially if your Rubber Tree is already unhealthy from poor lighting, a nutrient deficiency or improper soil moisture. Learn how to treat common houseplant pests here.
Some yellowing is natural
Is your Rubber Tree pushing out new growth? If there is new growth on your plant and the yellowing leaves are older, particularly at the bottom of the plant, this yellowing is natural. Your plant sheds its old leaves and sends energy to new growth.
5 Reasons why your Rubber plant leaves Drooping
FAQ
How do you fix yellow leaves on rubber plants?
The right amount of light is crucial for your rubber plant’s health. Too much shade can cause leaves to turn yellow, while too much direct sunlight can cause sunburn. Finding the right balance is key. Rubber plants prefer bright, indirect light, so keep them near a window but out of direct sunlight.
What does an overwatered rubber plant look like?
If your rubber plant’s leaves are turning yellow, brown, or even falling off, this could be a sign of overwatering.
How do I fix yellow leaves on my tree?
Watering Issues
If trees aren’t hydrated, the leaves can turn yellow as they try to conserve water. Test your tree’s moisture by using the screwdriver test. Stick a screwdriver into the soil. If it’s hard to push in, chances are the tree is thirsty and could use a deep watering.
How often do you water a Rubber Tree?
- Check the soil: Before watering, stick your finger into the soil a few inches deep. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
- Water thoroughly: When you do water, make sure to soak the soil until water drains out of the drainage holes.
- Allow excess water to drain: Don’t let the plant sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot.
- Adjust frequency based on conditions:
- Increased light: If your plant is in a brighter location, you may need to water more frequently.
- Drier environment: If your home is dry, you may need to water more frequently.
- Winter: During the winter months, when the plant is in a dormant period, you can reduce the watering frequency.
- Increased light: If your plant is in a brighter location, you may need to water more frequently.
- Signs of overwatering: Yellowing leaves, especially lower leaves, and soggy soil can indicate overwatering.
- Signs of underwatering: Wilting leaves, curling leaves, and dry soil can indicate underwatering.