Every gardener’s goal is to keep each plant looking good by making sure it stays healthy, lush, and bright. Nothing disrupts a plant’s aesthetics more than the presence of unsightly yellow leaves.
Right now, I seem to have lost my gardening mojo because my rubber plant leaves are turning yellow. When I try to hide the yellow-leafed rubber plant, I feel bad because it’s not its fault that it’s yellow, right? I guess I shouldn’t treat it like a lost child. No matter how hard I try to make sense of it, yellow is not the new green! It’s time to let go of my guilt and these silly ideas and find a way to deal with the yellow rubber tree leaves!
If you’ve noticed the leaves on your rubber tree plant turning yellow, don’t panic! Yellow leaves are a common issue that can be fixed with a few simple adjustments to your care routine. In this article, we’ll discuss the various causes of yellowing leaves on rubber plants and what you can do to bring your plant back to perfect health.
Overwatering
The most common reason for yellow leaves on a rubber tree plant is overwatering. Rubber trees prefer to be kept on the drier side and do not like soggy soil. If you are watering too often this can cause root rot and prevent the roots from taking up water properly. The leaves will then turn yellow and drop off.
To fix an overwatering issue, allow the soil to completely dry out before watering again Stick your finger into the soil to check the moisture level If the top few inches are dry, it’s time to water. Be sure you are not leaving your rubber plant sitting in water by emptying any drainage from the saucer after 30 minutes.
Underwatering
While overwatering is more common underwatering can also lead to yellowing leaves. If you allow the soil to dry out completely for too long the plant cannot take up enough moisture through the roots. The leaves will start to turn yellow and droop.
Check the soil before watering and water your rubber tree thoroughly whenever the top few inches become dry. Water until it drains from the bottom, then dump out any excess from the saucer. This will hydrate the plant fully.
Low Humidity
Rubber trees prefer high humidity levels of 60% or higher. In dry indoor environments, the leaves can start to yellow and crisp around the edges without enough moisture in the air.
Mist your rubber tree daily or place it on a pebble tray filled with water to increase humidity. You can also group it with other plants to create a natural humid microclimate. Keep the plant away from heating/cooling vents which can blast it with dry air.
Insufficient Light
While they adapt to lower light than other houseplants, rubber trees still need a decent amount of sunlight to thrive. Without enough light, the leaves will gradually turn pale green and yellow.
Place your rubber tree in an east or west facing window where it will get bright, indirect light. Rotate the plant occasionally so all sides get sunlight exposure. If needed, supplement with a grow light during the shorter winter days.
Normal Leaf Drop
In some cases, a few yellow leaves on an otherwise healthy rubber plant may be nothing to worry about. As lower leaves naturally age and die off, they will turn yellow before dropping. This is a normal part of the plant’s growth cycle.
As long as there are only a few yellow leaves and the rest of the foliage looks healthy, the shedding leaves may not indicate a problem. Just remove any unsightly yellow leaves to keep your plant looking its best. Monitor for any worsening of the issue.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Lack of essential nutrients can also cause yellowing. If the soil is depleted or your plant’s needs aren’t being met, the leaves will discolor.
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer a few times during the active growing season to provide nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients. Slow-release pellet fertilizer mixed into the soil also works well.
Cold Drafts
If you place your rubber plant near a drafty window or air vent, the leaves can react by turning yellow. Cold air moving directly over the foliage leads to stress and decline.
Keep your rubber tree away from any cold spots. A steady temperature around 70°F is ideal for these tropical plants. Make sure not to place it right against a chilly window pane in winter.
Pests
Spider mites, scale, and mealybugs are common rubber tree pests that can cause leaf yellowing. These tiny sucking insects extract nutrients and fluids from the foliage.
Check closely for any signs of bugs on the leaves or soil. You may need to wipe leaves down with insecticidal soap or use other organic treatments to get rid of an infestation. Isolate any heavily infested plants away from your other houseplants.
Root Bound
As rubber trees outgrow their pots, this can cause stress and yellow leaves. Without enough space for the roots to spread out, the plant cannot take up moisture and nutrients properly.
Carefully remove the plant and inspect the root ball. If the roots are heavily crowded and twisting around the bottom, it’s time to repot into a larger container. This will allow the roots to grow freely again.
Too Much Direct Sun
While they need bright light, too much direct hot sunlight can actually scorch the leaves of a rubber plant. If the leaves are yellow with browned areas, the plant may be getting too much sun.
Move your rubber tree a few feet back from any sunny windows where it is getting more than a couple hours of direct sun. Dappled bright light is better than harsh direct rays.
New Growth
If the yellowing leaves are only found on the oldest, lowest foliage, this can just be a byproduct of new growth appearing on the plant. As the rubber tree pushes out fresh stems and leaves up top, it sheds some of the aging lower leaves.
As long as the yellow leaves are concentrated on the bottom and the upper foliage looks healthy, this is generally nothing to worry about. Remove the unsightly leaves and your plant will continue happily growing.
When to Be Concerned
While an occasional yellow leaf here and there is normal, significant yellowing of multiple leaves demands attention. If you notice yellowing spreading rapidly or not confined to just the oldest leaves, one of the above issues is likely to blame.
Don’t let your rubber plant struggle with yellow foliage for too long without taking corrective action. With a few tweaks to its care and environment, you can get your rubber tree back to vibrant health. Pay close attention to its needs and fixing yellow leaves will be a breeze.
Frequency of Entities:
rubber tree plant: 16
yellow leaves: 15
overwatering: 5
underwatering: 4
low humidity: 3
insufficient light: 3
nutrient deficiencies: 2
cold drafts: 2
pests: 2
root bound: 2
too much direct sun: 2
new growth: 2
Reasons for Yellowing Leaves on a Rubber Plant
Over or underwatering is one of the most common reasons why rubber tree leaves turn yellow, so it is very important to know how to water a rubber tree plant correctly.
The best rule of thumb is to water when the first few inches (8 cm. ) of soil are dry. You can find out this by putting your finger in the ground or using a moisture meter. Additionally, make sure that the pot your rubber plant is in has good drainage so that the soil doesn’t get too wet.
Incorrect Lighting and Temperature
Other changes in its environment, like sudden changes in temperature or lighting, can also make the leaves on a rubber plant turn yellow as it tries to get used to the new conditions. This is why it is important to be consistent in your care of a rubber plant.
Rubber plants do best in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees F and good, bright light that comes from the side. (18-27 C. ) range.
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FAQ
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