If your plant's not producing new leaves don't feed at all.. Rubber plants like bright light and a lot of it, but not direct sunlight. So, make... Light. My rubber plant was also spreading out a lot and taking up a lot of space. But indoors, a rubber tree typically tops out at 6 to 10 feet tall. I've had it for about 6 years and all the big leaves are slowly falling off but it's still growing new stems, only the leaves are small and curl. Leaves can fall off due to overwatering and underwatering, but with overwatering they typically turn yellow first. Make a cut on the stem below that. It’s amazing what a few stakes and string or tape can do to help a plant! Rubber tree plants, or Ficus elasticas, are a common houseplant. A cold draft refers to a current of cold air that is being drawn inside the house. Let it almost dry out between watering during the dormant season. Position your rubber tree plant so it is not near any cold drafts. The Rubber Plant will be quite happy to grow in a broad range of temperatures between 10°C (50°F) to 29°C (85°F). So I decided to try to even the plant by rotating it and adding a DIY houseplant stake. The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is a tough plant. If you want to hear from me, drop your email below! Because rubber tree plants prefer steady warmth, MyIndoorHouseplants.com suggests keeping the plant in an environment of 70 to 85 degrees F during daytime hours and between 65 to 75 degrees F during the night. Though not the pickiest plant, the Rubber Plant is notorious for doing poor in drastic changes. I hate to pick favorites, but this one is definitely one of my favorites. If your rubber tree plant seems to be losing lots of leaves for no apparent reason, you need to investigate and address potential issues with light, temperature, moisture, pests and fertilizer. The Rubber Plant is also known as Ficus elastica and Rubber Tree. If you prune away too many of the rubber plant’s leaves and branches, it won’t be able to photosynthesize and may die. Q. Houseplants…Rubber Trees I've read the info on your site on rubber trees; however, my issue wasn't addressed. No spam; unsubscribe anytime. Please click the link in the email I just sent you—I just need to confirm it's really you to prevent spam :), Copyright by Brittany Goldwyn, 2020 | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, How to Propagate Snake Plants: 4 Easy Ways. Rubber Plant Care. So I’d hoped that staking the plant would maximize vertical space and encourage it to grow taller, not wider. Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:36 pm. Rubber Tree Plant That Is Losing Leaves Although it is normal for a few leaves to fall off rubber tree plants during the seasonal change from summer to fall, excessive leaf loss indicates a problem. Then use a toothpick soaked in root hormone solution to spear the cut sideways and hold it … The 10" pot size was plenty large enough. You can use garden tape that stretches as the plant grows; this would be a great approach for a more fragile plant, I think. Deep, infrequent waterings are better than shallow, frequent waterings. A sunny spot shielded by a sheer curtain is often perfect for rubber plants. Resist the desire to over-fertilize your rubber tree plant. It primarily supports the rubber plant’s thick main branch, which is by far the tallest. Sunlight levels are low in the sky and the light is indirect in the winter months, even for plants that sit directly in fr… Thanks for signing up for this freebie! So, make sure that you always leave at least 2-3 leaves behind. How to water rubber plant trees? I have had this rubber tree plant 4 years. Its thick, glossy, leathery green leaves and fast, tall growth mean that rubber plants add to the aesthetics of any room. Position your rubber tree plant so it is not near any cold drafts. So I’d hoped that staking the plant would maximize vertical space and encourage it to grow taller, not wider. Check boxes below for what you want to see—I won't send you anything else. Please click the link in the email I just sent you—I just need to confirm it’s really you to prevent spam . But indoors, a rubber tree typically tops out at 6 to 10 feet tall. If you’ve houseplant that is leaning over and you want to fit it, I’m chatting all about staking house plants today. Check out my snake plant care tips, pothos plant care tips, prickly pear cactus care tips, and my top tips for taking care of succulents indoors! If you see pests, treat the plant and the leaf-drop should stop. Rubber plants that become overly pot bound will begin to have yellow leaves at the bottom of the plant that drop from the plant. Also try setting the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water. Leaves falling off my rubber plant! There are many reasons for dropping and falling leaves. We haven’t moved the plant at all (rubber plants like getting comfy in one spot), but it has really taken off and nearly doubled in size since I brought it home. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! And if so what can I do to save it, the plant is quite big, about 2.50 m high, please help!! If your plant experiences this leaf-drop in winter, along with low humidity levels, consider whether the plant is getting enough light. Older leaves turning yellow is a sign of over-watering a rubber plant. I got it about 2 years ago at my favorite local nursery’s annual house plant sale. I can easily empty my wallet in just one visit. Check boxes below for what you want to see—I won't send you anything else. It looks so tall! A sudden flurry of leaves dropped by a rubber tree plant can eliminate a large portion of the plant's foliage. If your rubber tree plant seems to be losing lots of leaves for no apparent reason, you need to investigate and address potential issues with light, temperature, moisture, pests and fertilizer. It can grow to over 100' tall outdoors. Cut half way into the stem. I got a cut of a plant from a co-worker about a year and a half ago.. Another reason behind leaves falling out altogether is a sudden change in light or humidity. In addition, leaf drop occurs if temperatures are too cold. Q. what can i do to get my rubber tree plant to put on new leaves? Drafts from doors or windows can shock the plant and promote leaf drop. A member of the Ficus family, rubber tree plants can grow up to 50 feet tall but are typically grown to 6-to-9 feet indoors. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Gardening Know How: Information On What Causes Rubber Tree Plant Leaves Falling Off, Gardening Know How: How To Care For A Rubber Tree Plant, Gardening Know How: Why Rubber Tree Plants Lose Leaves, Dave's Garden: Rubber Tree Plant Overview. I recieved it at my son's funeral and it is sentimental to me. The water intake wasn't homogeneous and the excess water didn't drain properly. I didn’t worry too much about spearing the roots as I know they are resilient. You can tell if your rubber plant needs more light if it becomes leggy, its leaves lose their luster, and lower leaves fall … Older leaves turning yellow is a sign of over-watering a rubber plant. How you do this depends on what kind of houseplant you’re staking and how hardy it is. Often, the problem is one of lack of adjustment, but occasionally, the plant is being neglected or killed with kindness. Light and Light Change A change in the light could be the reason for a rubber plant losing leaves. If the leaves droop without falling off, you know you are underwatering your rubber tree. Over and under-watering are the main reasons for losing turgidity. For more details, review my privacy policy. Keep your plant away from drafts or areas exposed to heat. Rubber tree plants do not like the low humidity levels of winter. Indoors it can be kept considerably smaller. Want to read more about houseplant care? If your plant has been losing leaves from the bottom up, it might be root related. No spam; unsubscribe anytime. The more reduced the light, the more leaves will drop and the smaller the replacement leaves will be. The causes of rubber plant leaves falling off include improper watering, tree ageing, improper lighting, lack of nutrition. But staking the plant is just the first step. Rubber plants prefer bright indirect light and fare best when they are kept in temperatures in the 65 to 80 F. (18 to 27 C.) range. Underwatering will cause them to dry up and fall off without turning yellow. The soil was totally dry initially, but the plant was feeling healthy. First, you have to know why the leaves are drooping on the rubber plant. You can also use thin wire or little twisty ties, which I’ve see on plants like orchids. This is why it is important to be consistent in your care of a rubber plant. Rubber tree plants do not like the low humidity levels of winter. Now you have to attach the plant to the stake. Rubber Tree Rescue. It could be too much or too little water but is nearly always too little water on the bottom roots. How to keep tall potted plants from falling over. They usually require minimal care. Specifically how to keep tall potted plants from falling over using my large rubber plant as an example. It has dark green and oblong leaves that look glossy. Rubber plant leaves are drooping and some leaves are curling up, though none have fallen off. In winter, water less frequently as growth slows. Mist the rubber tree plant daily. However, since it has grown so much, I decided to add a bamboo stick as well. Thanks for signing up! In its native jungle habitat in India and Malaysia, the plant can grow up to 100 feet tall. How to keep tall potted plants from falling over. The rubber tree plant— botanical name is Ficus elastica—is a hardy houseplant that is very easy to care for.The plant also has names such as Indian rubber tree, rubber fig, and Indian rubber bush. Here are some possible reasons- 1. Experienced growers say "problems with bottom leaves means a problem with bottom roots". You know, I try to avoid this nursery because they have an amazing selection or beautiful, healthy plants, but they are a little pricey. Rubber tree plants are best potted up with regular potting soil with a touch of sand in the mix. Fertilize sparingly. The stems with the drooping leaves feel softer than those without drooping leaves. Im not 100% sure if it is a rubber plant since the leaves are not so glossy and firm, but I guess it's from the same family. My free 50-page guide will help you get started propagating 7 easy houseplants! Just drop your email below and I’ll send it straight to you. I wish I had pictures from when I first brought it home! Check fallen leaves carefully for telltale signs of infestation. If you notice that your rubber tree plant is losing leaves, check carefully how you are caring for your plant and make a few adjustments. I had no clue what the plant was, so I couldn't look up how to care for it, but it seemed to be doing fine. In nature the tree can soar up to 50 feet tall. I wouldn’t go any taller than 12 inches and I wouldn’t leave any more than 3-4 leaves. Certain pests, such as mealybugs, spider mites, and scale, can cause leaf drop. 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