Rubber plants are beautiful, low-maintenance houseplants. But these versatile specimens can sometimes drop their leaves without warning, leaving you to determine the cause.
If your rubber plant loses the occasional lower leaf but is otherwise healthy, dont be concerned—its part of the plants natural growth cycle. But if leaf drop is persistent or affects much of the plants foliage, thats a sign of a larger issue.
Here are 7 reasons your rubber plant could be losing its leaves, with helpful tips on how to fix the problem and keep your plant healthy.
Rubber plants, with their large, glossy leaves, are popular houseplants. But it can be alarming when those leaves suddenly start dropping! If your rubber plant is losing leaves, don’t panic. There are several common reasons why this happens, and in most cases it’s an easy fix.
Reasons Leaves Fall Off Rubber Plants
Here are the most frequent causes of leaf drop in rubber plants:
Overwatering
Too much water is one of the main culprits for falling leaves. Rubber plants don’t like soggy soil. If you’re watering too often, the roots can’t get oxygen and start to rot. This damages the plant, causing leaves to turn yellow and drop.
Fix it: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Water less frequently.
Underwatering
While overwatering is more common, not enough water can also cause leaves to fall. If the soil dries out too much, the leaves will wilt and drop off.
Fix it: Water more often, when the top inch or two of soil is dry.
Low Humidity
Rubber plants prefer humid conditions. If the air is too dry, especially during winter when heaters run, leaves can dry out and fall off.
Fix it: Mist the plant daily or use a pebble tray to boost humidity.
Drafts
Cold drafts from doors, windows, or vents can shock rubber plants and cause sudden leaf drop.
Fix it Move plant away from drafts
Too Much Sun
While rubber plants need bright, indirect light, too much direct sun will scorch the leaves, turning them yellow before they fall off.
Fix it: Move to a spot with bright but filtered light.
Poor Drainage
Excess moisture caused by poor drainage has the same effect as overwatering, causing soggy soil and leaf drop.
Fix it: Repot in a pot with drainage holes using fast-draining potting mix.
Pests
Common pests like spider mites and mealybugs can infest rubber plants, sucking nutrients and causing leaves to fall.
Fix it: Inspect closely and treat any pests with insecticidal soap. Quarantine plant away from others.
Cold Temperatures
If temps dip below 60°F, rubber plant leaves can turn yellow and drop.
Fix it: Move plant to warmer area in winter.
Leaf Scorch
Using too much or improper fertilizer can burn leaf tips and cause leaves to drop.
Fix it: Fertilize at half-strength and only in the growing season.
Transplant Shock
Repotting or moving the plant to a new spot can disturb roots and cause leaf loss after a few weeks.
Fix it: Transplant carefully to minimize root damage. Keep it in the same light conditions.
What to Do About Dropping Leaves
If your rubber plant is losing leaves, take these steps:
- Assess watering and drainage and make adjustments as needed
- Move plant away from drafts and direct sun if necessary
- Check closely for pests and treat any found
- Increase humidity via misting and pebble tray
- Avoid temperature extremes and shock
- Be cautious with fertilizer to prevent leaf scorch
- Transplant with care to prevent shock
With the right adjustments to its care, your rubber plant should stop dropping leaves and regain its lush appearance. Don’t give up on it! With a bit of TLC, this hardy houseplant should make a full recovery.
Overwatering
Too much water is a common cause of leaf loss in rubber plants. Leaves will first turn yellow before dropping off completely as roots are damaged by overly soggy soil.
If you suspect that overwatering has contributed to your rubber plants leaf drop, stop watering immediately. Allow the plants soil to dry out completely before watering again.
In extreme cases, repot the plant in fresh soil, cutting away any slimy, black, rotten roots in the process. Going forward, water when the top few inches of soil in the pot have dried out.
Underwatering
Rubber plants are relatively hardy, but they wont tolerate long periods without water. Overly dry soil can cause leaves to wilt, wither, and eventually drop as the plant tries to conserve much-needed moisture. Look for droopy yellow or brown leaves with a papery, crispy texture.
If your rubber plant is losing leaves due to lack of water, give it a deep watering immediately. You can water from the top, but its more effective to rehydrate a very dry root ball by bottom watering. After the soil is rehydrated, water once the top few inches of soil have dried out.
Why are my Rubber Tree Leaves Falling Off?
FAQ
What do you do when a rubber tree loses its leaves?
If your rubber plant is losing leaves due to lack of water, give it a deep watering immediately. You can water from the top, but it’s more effective to rehydrate a very dry root ball by bottom watering. After the soil is rehydrated, water once the top few inches of soil have dried out.
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 often should you water a rubber plant?
Rubber plants, or Ficus elastica, need to be watered on average once every 7 to 14 days. But here’s the crucial tip: never stick to a strict watering schedule!
Why are the leaves on my rubber tree turning yellow and falling off?
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.