Rubber trees, popular as they may be, can still stump a few gardeners. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of common problems and how you can take care of them. Before we jump into the rubber tree care guide, let’s get to know the plant in question so that you can fully understand what causes these problems.
Rubber trees (Ficus elastica) are a glossy-leaved houseplant. Yes, these also thrive outdoors as larger trees, but you can grow smaller ones indoors. Fun fact: they "bleed" a milky sap when cut or damaged. That latex can irritate skin and is mildly toxic to pets, so handle with care.
Nip These Rubber Tree Problems in the Bud!
Pests
May think this won’t happen to them, but your freshly bought rubber tree may be harbouring a few stowaways. That, or bugs just happen to take a liking to your rubber tree plant. Common pests include scale, mealybugs, and spider mites. And, trust us, they don’t look like bug infestations until it’s too late. We can’t tell you how many times we just shrugged some off, thinking they were clumps of flour, maybe powder. We’re only human.
So, what can you do? You can’t just spray bug repellent - if you use the wrong one, it can cause damage and may even stress your rubber tree plant out. The gentlest way to take care of these infestations would be to wipe leaves with a clean cloth. Use soapy water or maybe a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap for heavier infestations. Oh, and you’ll want to quarantine that particular plant. You don’t want bugs to hop off one and into another.
Leaf Drop or Yellowing
Gardeners know that yellowing leaves are usually caused by both overwatering and underwatering. Yes, you’ve got to find the right amount of water to give your plant. Poor pot drainage and temp changes are also known to cause this. Just make adjustments as you normally would and listen to your plant. Repeated cases mean you haven’t quite solved the issue.
On the case of overwatering or poor drainage, do check the plant’s roots. Healthy roots are firm and pale, while rotten roots are brown and mushy - and you’ll want to fix the latter. Just trim away any rotten roots with clean scissors and repot the plant into a well-draining pot with fresh soil or compost.
Brown Leaf Tips and Edges
If you’re thinking that watering is the cause of many plant issues, you’d be right. After all, this isn’t a forest. You’ve invited your plant over into your home. Treat it well! That said, if you notice brown leaf tips, your home may lack the humidity your rubber tree plant favours. Dry air can cause the leaves to crisp up, you know.
If you don’t necessarily want to get a humidifier, you can try grouping your plants together. It’s simple, but simply being around other plants can cause the humidity around that small space to rise.
Slow Growers
A rubber tree that seems stuck in time is usually lacking one of the essentials: light, nutrients, or space. Light is usually the easiest to identify. Ask yourself, is this space too dark? Yes? Then, move it to a brighter spot. Do you feed your plant fertiliser? No? Perhaps a houseplant fertiliser should be added to your cart.
As for space, you can tell your rubber tree plant is itching for a new home if its roots have crowded its pot. And don’t just give it an incrementally larger pot as a solution. Give it a bigger home, one it can literally grow roots in.
Brown or Black Spots on Leaves
Common and a little scary, dark spots can indicate rot or fungal infections. These can come in many small specks or larger rashes, and they should be pretty quick to identify. Two things must be addressed immediately. Water (of course) and air.
If your soil is waterlogged, let it dry out. Check its drainage. A consistently damp pot isn’t a good thing. If your pot isn’t draining, you need to transfer it to one that does. You’re trying to stop bacterial growth and too much humidity here. You also need airflow. Trimming off damaged leaves will help increase the airflow your plant sorely needs.
So, what do you do when the rot smells? That means the plant is in bad shape. If you want to save your rubber tree plant, then you’ve got to trim away rotting roots, repot the plant, and hope for the best while keeping a watchful eye.
99 Problems but a Rubber Tree Ain’t One
Even though we’ve rattled off a smattering of problems, rubber trees are quite forgiving, meaning you can get away with making a mistake or two. With a little observation and adjusting, you will quickly become confident in diagnosing and solving common issues. If you’re interested in rubber plants, you can pick one up here at Bloombox Club!
