11 Reasons Why Rubber Plant Leaves are Turning Brown and How to Fix It
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Rubber Plant leaves are turning brown due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, pests infestations, temperature stress, nutrients deficiency, being pot-bound, aging among others.
Rubber Plant is one of the easiest of the Ficus varieties for indoor and outdoor growing. Ficus elastica grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, warmth of 15-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Rubber Plant.
Brown leaves on Rubber Plant are an indication that the growing conditions are not right. Below we have discussed 11 causes of brown leaves on Rubber Plant. Keep on reading for more on these causes and how to fix them.
11 Causes of Rubber Plant Brown Leaves & Fixes
1. Inconsistent Watering
Both underwatering and overwatering are detrimental to plant growth. Underwatering causes wilting, drooping, yellowing, browning and leaf drop. Overwatering results in rotting, drooping, yellowing, browning and leaf loss.
How to fix it
- Water Rubber Plant when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out and do not let the soil dry out completely for a long period. Do not water on a schedule to avoid either underwatering or overwatering.
2. Soggy Soil
Too much water in the soil reduces the oxygen concentration in the rootzone, resulting in root-rot disease. The disease is characterized by wilting, drooping, yellowing, browning and plant death.
How to fix it
- Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. Brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot, trim them off and treat the healthy roots with a fungicidal solution as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant.
- Use a pot that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
- Do not water the plant and keep it dry for some time before resuming watering.
- Always allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings and reduce watering in the cold season.
3. Pest Infestations
Rubber Plant is prone to spider mites, aphids, scale insects and mealybugs which attack the new growth from where they suck the plant sap. This causes the plant to become dehydrated and results in wilting and browning of the leaves.
How to fix it
- Regularly inspect the Rubber Plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Seperate the infested plant and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions.
- Elevate the humidity to discourage pests, by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray or by use of a cool mist humidifier.
- Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth.
- Maintain the plant properly pruned to reduce the pests breeding and hiding places.
- Ensure good air circulation to depress the pests infestation.
4. Poor Quality Soil
Poor quality soil does not drain properly and easily becomes compacted or soggy which negatively affect plant growth. Soggy soil can lead to rotting, yellowing, browning and leaf drop.
How to fix it
- Pot and repot Rubber Plant in loose, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir (for moisture retention) and 20% perlite (for aeration) is perfect for these plants.
5. Too Little Light
Light is needed for making food that is required for energy and growth. If the light is insufficient the plant cannot make enough food for energy and growth. In an attempt to save energy, the plant begins to die from the leaves. They turn yellow, brown and eventually fall off.
How to fix it
- Move the Rubber Plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunshine. You may instal a full spectrum grow light if the natural light in your home is not adequate.
- Give the pot a quarter turn monthly, to ensure that the plant absorbs enough light for photosynthesis on all sides.
6. Being Pot-bound
A pot-bound plant's roots have filled the pot and there is very little soil to hold water when you water the plant. Therefore, there is no water for the plant to take up to the leaves. The leaves loss their stiffness and they wilt, yellow, brown and drop.
How to fix it
- Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing through the drainage hole and repot the Rubber Plant into a pot one size larger.
- Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining. Use a heavy pot as the plant can become top-heavy and topple over. Check out these ceramic pots with a drainage hole on Amazon.
7. Repotting Shock
Repotting may cause the plant some shock, resulting in some leaves wilting, turning brown and dropping, before it can adjust to the new growing conditions.
How to fix it
- Water the Rubber Plant thoroughly one day before repotting. A well hydrated plant experiences less shock.
- Do not make too many changes at once. After repotting, keep the plant in the same location until it is well established before moving it to a new location.
8. Nutrients deficiency
Underfeeding implies the plant is not getting enough nutrients need for growth and energy. Inadequate nutrients in the actively growing tips causes nutrients to be withdrawn from the older lower leaves which turn yellow, brown and fall off.
How to fix it
- Feed Rubber Plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in the growing season. Follow the instructions on the label.
9. Salts Buildup
Excess salts will cause the roots to die due to fertilizer burn. Thus, they cannot take up water to the leaves. Without adequate water, the leaves get dehydrated, they wilt, turn yellow, then brown and drop.
How to fix it
- Take care not to overfeed the plant. Do not feed in the cold season to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.
- Flush out accumulated salts regularly, by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes.
10. Temperature Stress
Extreme temperatures from drafts will cause reduced growth, wilting, yellowing, browning and leaf loss.
How to fix it
- Keep Rubber Plant away from sources of drafts like hot surfaces, hot air vents AC units, windy doors, drafty windows and others.
- Maintain a warmth of 15-280C; temperatures that are comfortable for you are ideal for the plant.
11. Aging
As the plant matures, it loses the lower leaves leaving a bare stem with a crown of leaves at the top. The leaves turn yellow, then brown and eventually drop.
How to fix it
- Cutback the stem at the desired height to rejuvenate growth. New growth should sprout just below the cut into a new bushy plant.
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