Frequent Causes and Options for Yellow Leaves on Rubber Timber

Rubber bushes, rubber figs, rubber vegetation, no matter you name Ficus elastica, there’s one factor we will all agree on and that’s how spectacular the foliage is.

The massive, shiny leaves make a big effect and if in case you have one of many variegated sorts, they’re much more distinctive.

So when a number of of the leaves begin to flip yellow, it’s very apparent.

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There are a variety of causes the foliage would possibly change coloration and it’s essential to determine what’s inflicting the issue so you’ll be able to repair it.

In our information to rising rubber bushes, we cowl the best way to domesticate these widespread houseplants.

If you happen to’re seeing yellow leaves, this information will go excessive seven explanation why this may increasingly occur and what to do about it to unravel your rubber tree woes.

Right here’s what I’ll cowl:

That is fully anecdotal, however I’ve issues with my rubber tree dropping leaves much more usually than with it creating yellow foliage.

If you happen to discover that’s the case for you, learn our information to rubber bushes dropping their leaves for some suggestions. Lots of the causes of leaf drop are the identical that you just’ll discover right here.

With that out of the best way, let’s speak about the issue that plagues us all, plant and human alike.

1. Growing older

If all the different leaves in your plant look tremendous however a few the underside ones are turning yellow and drooping somewhat, it’d simply be the age of the leaf.

Be sure to examine the soil moisture and different causes on this record, but when every little thing appears appropriately, it’s in all probability the leaf turning yellow because it ages.

As with many vegetation, when the older foliage matures, it dies and drops off.

So long as it’s only one or two leaves right here and there and new wholesome foliage is creating, it’s nothing to emphasize about.

In the identical vein, in the event you transfer a plant from one space to a distinctly completely different space, say from a sunny spot to a darker spot, the plant would possibly drop just a few decrease leaves because it adjusts.

2. Illness

I’ve two phrases for you: root rot. This goes hand-in-hand with overwatering.

We’ll speak in additional element about root rot later on this article as it may be attributable to pathogens or by merely drowning the roots in an excessive amount of water, but it surely ought to be handled the identical in both case.

Bacterial leaf spot, attributable to the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas campestris, causes the leaves between the veins to show yellow because it advances, although it begins as yellow spots on the foliage.

In case your plant is contaminated with bacterial leaf spot, the one plan of action is to take away the symptomatic leaves and help the plant by making certain it’s not overcrowded, watering appropriately, and taking steps to cut back humidity.

There is no such thing as a treatment for this illness so if greater than half of the plant is symptomatic, it’s in all probability greatest to eliminate it.

3. Overwatering

Overwatering is without doubt one of the largest issues that plague our houseplants.

Most of us are responsible of offering an excessive amount of water at instances, I do know I’ve killed my fair proportion of vegetation earlier than I figured it out!

With rubber figs, you’ll be able to let the highest inch of soil dry out between waterings. An excessive amount of moisture will result in root rot which is able to trigger the leaves to show yellow.

Often, they’ll flip pale yellow and would possibly even develop mushy brown spots. Then, the leaves will drop. If the rot continues, the plant will doubtless die.

The primary piece of recommendation I all the time give folks is to cease watering on a schedule.

I do know it’s simple to make an observation in your your calendar to water on a specific day, however a plant’s moisture wants range from week to week relying on the climate, the quantity of sunshine hitting the foliage, the compaction of the soil, how a lot your HVAC is operating, the time of yr, and extra.

All of those components are always altering, so you’ll be able to’t simply assume that as a result of the calendar says so, it’s time to water.

Really feel the soil or use a soil moisture meter to find out when it’s time to water. It doesn’t take various seconds extra and your rubber fig will thanks.

If the roots are always sitting in extra water, they’ll’t take up vitamins from the soil – basically drowning – which results in root rot.

If you happen to suspect root rot, take away the plant from its container and prune off any useless or mushy roots earlier than spraying them with copper fungicide.

Then, soak the soil each two weeks with copper fungicide to kill off any pathogens.

In case your rubber tree is rising within the floor, go away it in place and simply use a soil soak.

Copper fungicide is a must have in any gardening toolkit as a result of you should utilize it to deal with so many various illnesses.

Bonide Copper Fungicide

Decide some up at Arbico Organics in a 32-ounce ready-to-use, 16- or 32-ounce hose finish, or 16-ounce focus.

4. Pests

All the common sapsucking suspects could cause yellowing foliage, and normally, it’s within the type of stippling somewhat than a uniform discoloration.

Aphids, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites are all potential issues.

Look at your plant carefully for proof of pests. Search for webbing, lumps, fuzzy development, or the precise bugs themselves.

On houseplants, most pests could be managed by spraying them off with a powerful stream of lukewarm water as soon as every week or so.

You may alternate this with a therapy with insecticidal cleaning soap.

Good previous insecticidal cleaning soap is mostly secure for vegetation and targets many of the pests generally seen on houseplants.

Bonide Insecticidal Cleaning soap

Yow will discover Bonide insecticidal cleaning soap accessible at Arbico Organics in 12- or 32-ounce bottles.

Scale bugs could be wiped with isopropyl alcohol and gently scraped off with a butter knife.

Though uncommon in houseplants, outside rubber figs could be attacked by foliar nematodes.

These microscopic worms within the Aphelenchoides genus trigger the areas between the veins to show yellow.

They thrive in areas with excessive humidity and when the plant has persistently moist foliage from overhead watering.

5. Too Little Mild

Rubber figs are adaptable. Of their pure habitat, they develop in sizzling, humid climates in full solar.

In our properties, they make do with low humidity and little solar. However you’ll be able to solely push them to date earlier than they begin to undergo.

In an excessive amount of shade or darkness, the foliage will grow to be pale and yellow. This tends to occur all through the plant and never simply on one or two of the leaves.

The subsequent day, make it an hour earlier than you progress again, and so forth. This helps to stop the plant changing into pressured and probably dropping its leaves.

6. Too A lot Solar

As talked about, rubber figs are able to rising in full solar of their native environments. However many of the specimens that we develop indoors aren’t used to that sort of publicity.

If you happen to had been to take a rubber fig from a darkish rest room and plop it exterior in full solar, you’ll be able to wager you’ll see some leaf yellowing and doubtless some dropping foliage, as properly.

I as soon as had a rubber tree that was just a few toes away from a pleasant, sunny window.

I didn’t transfer it, however I put in a mirror on the wall throughout from it and that mirror mirrored the solar. Out of the blue, I noticed that a number of the leaves of my plant had tannish-yellow spots on them.

Once I seemed nearer, I noticed that every one the discoloration was on the identical aspect and solely on the uppermost leaves.

That’s when the lightbulb went off in my mind, and I noticed what was taking place. I had inadvertently given my plant extra gentle than it was used to, and too shortly!

If you happen to’re going to introduce your houseplant to vivid sunshine, it’s a course of that must be achieved step by step, as talked about above. And look ahead to these mirrors and different reflective surfaces!

7. Underwatering

Low humidity and low soil moisture will inevitably trigger the foliage to show yellow and fall off the plant. It usually begins with the decrease leaves.

Whereas the signs can look much like overwatering, you’ll be able to examine the moisture along with your finger or a moisture meter. If underwatering is the issue, the leaves received’t flip brown or mushy, they’ll be yellowish and dry.

Rubber bushes like average humidity, someplace between 40 and 60 p.c. If it drops too far beneath this, the plant will protest by dropping leaves. An excessive amount of above this and also you run the chance of illness issues.

Equally, if the soil is allowed to dry out repeatedly, the leaves will flip yellow and fall.

Remember to keep on high of watering and add extra at any time when the highest inch or so dries out. If low humidity is the issue, you’ll be able to increase the moisture ranges within the air by grouping vegetation collectively, protecting your rubber fig in a kitchen or rest room, or utilizing somewhat humidifier close by.

Issues like spraying the leaves or placing the plant on a pebble tray crammed with water received’t present sufficient humidity to do the job.

If you happen to reside in a really dry area, you will discover tremendous handy humidifiers which might be quiet and go for a very long time.

Levoit Humidifier

One thing just like the LEVOIT 2.5-liter tank humidifier could be excellent. Decide one up at Amazon in white or black and with or and not using a nightlight.

Inexperienced is Gold

Rubber bushes would possibly drop a leaf right here and there, however they’re fairly resilient vegetation. Work out what’s going unsuitable with them, repair it, and so they’ll be again to regular very quickly.

What’s inflicting the yellow leaves in your rubber plant? Unsure? Tell us within the feedback and possibly we may also help you work it out.

And for extra details about rising Ficus vegetation, add these guides to your studying record subsequent: