In its native jungle habitat in India and Malaysia, the plant can grow up to 100 feet tall. Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by AnnaK, Aug 17, 2018. SYMPTOMS: Edges of leaves curl inward and form a cup, even when the lights are off. The causes of rubber plant leaves falling off include improper watering, tree ageing, improper lighting, lack of nutrition. If your rubber is losing leaves from the bottom up, it might be root related. According to the NASA Clean Air study, the rubber plant is one of the potent air-cleaning plants that can naturally remove a pollutant called formaldehyde from the air. Plant leaves can sometimes change colour or produce unusual marks, blotches or even weird-looking structures on them. (228) 497-0777 2965 Old Spanish Trail, Gautier, MS 39553 – Main 3124 Ladnier Road, Gautier, MS 39553 – Annex Just after I purchased it the leaves started curling in on themselves, turning brown and falling off. So, if you’d like a low, bushy rubber plant, try cutting the top off when it’s about 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 m). Curling leaves on rubber tree plants are usually indicative of too little water. Around a month ago I noticed a couple leaves were turning orange. Did You Know? The Peperomia Obtusifolia (or Peperomia Green) is characterized by its thick upright stems with glossy, oversized leaves. I can't say if the leaves will recover, though. Once the paint was dry, I gently pushed it down into the soil. Rubber plants’ water needs vary according to season: In the growing season (summer), the plant should be kept moist. It started as a small plant that I bought in a nursery. Older rubber tree leaves are strong and straight, but newer leaves are curled on the edges and do not seem to grow as large as the older leaves. Also known as the Baby Rubber Plant, it is actually unrelated to the Hevea Bransiliensis, the primary resource of natural rubber. Messages: 3 Likes Received: 0 Location: Japan. If the plant is that old it is not drafts that are the cause of the decline but more likely to be the waterlogging of the soil mix. Growing in hot temperatures above 85°F (29°C) could also cause Ficus plant leaves to curl. I'm not sure if the plant is just shocked from the change or if I am doing something wrong? When I took it home, I gave it a coat of black spray paint to help it blend in with the plant better. Kelsgrv Dec 30, 2019 10:53 AM CST. The Ficus benjamina, or Weeping Fig, drops leaves like it’s fall every day. I do add vitamins to it at long intervals – like 3 months. With its glossy, leathery leaves and upright form, it’s a striking addition to almost any room in your house. There are several possible reasons. Rubber trees have multiple trunks and thick, fleshy leaves with a glossy, dark green sheen. I'd like to see it branch out, and get larger leaves. CAUSE: Heat stress causes rapid evaporation, so plants curl up to conserve moisture. If you’re new to plant parenting, a rubber tree is the plant for you! When the temperature cools or the soil dries out after a few days or so the curling and drooping look should disappear. – … In Brief. Usually, the leaf growth should resolve itself if you leave the soil to dry out. It can grow to over 100' tall outdoors. 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. If it’s dry, water and, if not, let it be. If the leaves curl and then drop, this could be due to exposure to frost. I might suggest giving it less water when you water (my rubber plant seems to curl less when I do that; I used to think it needed like a gallon, since it's a very large plant, but no; it's happier with less), and increasing light. I have a rubber plant (I believe) that isn't doing very well. Curling of New Rubber Tree Leaves. I bought this plant a month ago and I have noticed some of the leaves curling in. Aphids. Most likely, curling leaves are a sign of overwatering a rubber tree plant. Are Your Rubber Tree Leaves Drooping? Rubber plants can grow up to 100 feet in their native homeland of Southeast Asia. Why are rubber plant leaves curling? Click on the links where appropriate to find out even more about prevention and control. Learn how to care for, clean, and propagate a Rubber Plant as well as troubleshooting why your Rubber Plant is struggling! I grew one years ago which thrived. Views: 192, Replies: 4 » Jump to the end. I also noticed when I watered it that the water just ran right through the pot and poured out of the bottom. The pot has drainage holes. The upper leaves are most affected. How to identify, fix and prevent curled leaves. Curling leaves on rubber plants (Ficus elastica) is a common problem, but can be easily fixed. Light and Light Change A change in the light could be the reason for a rubber plant losing leaves. Other signs that your plant is not getting enough water are leaves that are curling inward, drooping down, or becoming “crunchy”-looking. The stems with the drooping leaves feel softer than those without drooping leaves. How it looks and displaying: The rubber plant is all about having a small tree indoors with broad shiny attractive leaves. The Ficus lyrata, or Fiddleleaf Fig, is revered in the groovy design world but we know many find it a challenge to grow. 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. If your plant is dry – you can stick your finger into the soil to check it – try to get it on a regular watering schedule. Consider lighting if you find no sign of the flat, oval insects, which can measure from a … It's been getting worse in the last few days. If your rubber plant leaves are curling, it may be the effect of temperature or over watering. Once your rubber plant has reached a height that you’d like to keep it at, prune the top leaves from the plant. I've had this Rubber Plant for over 3 1/2 years, maybe more. Right before the leaves fall off the plant, they will turn yellow. Q. I got a tiny rubber plant seedling and I think it was doing alright. Just started growing plants about 6 months ago. Predisposed to enjoy partial shade, rubber tree plants grow to heights between 2 and 10 feet tall indoors. I have absolutely no idea what I am doing wrong! Tags: leaves yellowing; watering; AnnaK New Member. A Nitrogen toxicity is the result of the plant getting too much Nitrogen (usually from too high levels of nutrients overall, or by using a Vegetative nutrient in the flowering stage). What could be causing this? The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is a tough plant. Watch for droopy leaves, which indicate a need for more water. The Rubber Plant is also known as Ficus elastica and Rubber Tree. This will prevent the rubber plant from putting out any more vertical chutes, and encourage it to grow more horizontally. Mealybugs also cause yellow or white spots on the foliage and a sticky substance on the plant or nearby furniture. Here are some of the more common leaf problems. I didn’t worry too much about spearing the roots as I know they are resilient. The plant is about three years old and has seemed to be happy until this last year. I've had this rubber plant over a year, it's about 5 ft tall now. Ask a Question forum: Rubber plant leaves curling? Oct 31, 2015 - Although rubber tree plant is relatively trouble-free, it can fall prey to various pests and diseases that can cause leaf curl on rubber plants. Rubber Plant leaves curling or drooping . Rubber plant leaves are drooping and some leaves are curling up, though none have fallen off. It only wants to grow up, lose it's leaves on the bottom, only produce small leaves, etc. The best way to check is by inserting your finger into the soil (up to an inch) and see if it feels wet at all. Indoors it can be kept considerably smaller. They look like they photo and then turn almost completely orange before falling off. 2. Simple solutions for rubber plant leaf curling. This can happen when temperatures exceed 29°C (85°F), or when you've over watered. It causes dark green leaves and curled tips (“the claw”). … Simple solutions for rubber plant leaf curling. Greetings! Everything about Rubber Plants! In some cases, you may need to identify pest and disease problems on plant leaves. Since the rubber plant’s leaves and branches are quite heavy, I chose a thicker dowel that wouldn’t bend. Illinois. Help. I've only been watering when the top inch of the soil is dry (about once a week) and have fertilized it once with 10/10/10 fertilizer. During the dormant season, your plant may only need water once or twice a month. Ficus elastica (more commonly known as a rubber plant, rubber tree or rubber tree plant) is a popular houseplant because of its waxy leaves and larger-than-life appearance. (Well, I hoped they were. I've lost about 4 so far which isn't crazy but it seems to be progressing quickly. Both mealybugs and excessive light cause houseplant leaves to curl. This includes wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or even misting them. As it grows best in temperature up to 30 degree, but if it gets higher than thirty degree plant leaves may get affected and show curls. It stores water in its thick leaves, which shrivel in drought and plump when water is available. I am pretty new to plants. What causes rubber plant leaves to curl? 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