Rubber plants (Ficus elastica) are popular houseplants with large, oval leaves that are fond of warm temperatures and humid conditions. If you notice your rubber plant’s leaves are turning yellow or brown, wilting, or dropping, it means that the plant is not well.
Your rubber plant could be dying due to several reasons, such as:
- Over watering
- Under watering
- Pest infestation
- Bright sunlight
- Very low humidity
- Temperature extremes
- Plant disease
Fortunately, rubber plants can be saved if the problem is caught and fixed soon enough. Continue reading to learn about how to revive a dying rubber plant and care tips to help it thrive.
For more information about rubber plant care, check out this complete care guide.
How do I know if my rubber plant is dying?
Signs of an unhealthy rubber plant include:
- Curling leaves
- Many yellow or brown leaves
- Wilting, drooping leaves
- Leaves that are falling off
- Stunted or disfigured growth
How to revive a dying rubber plant:
Over watering
Like other houseplants, rubber plants do not like for their roots to remain wet. The extra water drowns the roots, which kills them. This eventually leads to the entire plant dying.
Signs of an over watered rubber plant include:
- Yellow leaves
- Black, slimy roots
- Brown, wilting stems
- Mushy leaves
- Leaves that easily fall off
- Wet soil
Initially the root rot is only apparent underneath the soil- if you unpot the plant, the roots will be black and slimy. However, as the rot progresses upwards, the entire plant begins to show signs.
Save your over watered rubber plant with the following steps:
- Stop watering the plant completely and let the soil dry out.
- Gently remove the plant from its pot and clean the soil off its roots.
- Cut off the rotten roots (they are black and slimy), cleaning the scissors between each cut to avoid spreading the rot. Cut off any damaged leaves.
- Let the roots dry in fresh air for a few hours.
- Clean the pot with soap and warm water. If the pot does not have a drainage hole, get another pot that does.
- Fill the pot with new, fresh soil. Add in a few cups of perlite and orchid bark to increase drainage of the soil.
- Place the plant in a sunny, well-ventilated room. Avoid watering for two weeks. Do not mist the plant during this time because the extra humidity worsens rot.
It can be very difficult to save an over watered rubber plant if the damage is extensive. If this is the case, cut off the healthy stems (until there is no sign of rot) and propagate that.
Preventing root rot
Of course, the easiest way to protect your rubber plant from over watering is to water appropriately. Water the plant about once every 1 to 2 weeks and always check that the top inch of soil is dry to touch before watering.
Water at the plant’s base until the soil is damp (but before it is soaking). Allow the water to drain out thought the drainage hole completely, then discard the collected water so the pot does not sit in water for too long.
Rubber plants require less frequent watering in cooler temperatures or low-light environments. They require more frequent watering in brighter light or warmer temperatures. During the winter time, water less often because the plant is dormant.
Choosing the right soil and pot
A well-draining soil and pot with a drainage hole are crucial. Choose a well-draining soil and mix in a few cups of perlite or orchid bark to prevent water retention.
A terracotta pot with a drainage hole also helps the excess water flow out. Chose a pot that is the right size for the rubber plant- too small of a pot prevents growth but too large of a pot retains extra water and drowns the roots.
Under watering
An under watered rubber plant is fortunately easier to revive than an over watered one. While rubber plants like their soil to dry between watering, long periods of bone dry soil leads to unhappy plants.
Signs of under watering include:
- Curling leaves
- Dry, brown leaf tips
- Droopy stems
- Dry soil
Water the rubber plant until you see water leak out of the drainage hole.
Keep in mind that rubber plants in bright light and dry environments need to be watered more often.
Pest infestation
Rubber plants are susceptible to pests such as spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, or thrips. These insects suck on the plant sap, leading to distorted growth, discolored leaves, and leaf drop.
Unchecked infestations spread to other houseplants and may lead to plant death, so it is important to catch them early.
Signs of an infested plant include:
- Stunted or distorted growth
- White or black fuzzy substances on leaves
- Discolored leaves
- Leaves that fall off
If you suspect an infestation, closely examine the plant for insects (especially checking the stem-leaf joints and the under sides of the leaves).
To get rid of an infestation, follow these steps:
- Check any neighboring plants as well, since insects can spread. Quarantine all the infected plants away from the healthy ones.
- Cut off any damaged parts of the plant.
- Wash the plant under a steady stream of water with an insecticidal soap to help dislodge the insects. Then, let the plant dry.
- Dab any remaining visible bugs with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol.
- Spray the plant with diluted neem oil or rubbing alcohol. Make sure to spray under the leaves and where the leaves meet the stem. Do not put the plant in direct sunlight while it is being sprayed with rubbing alcohol because it may burn the leaves.
- Continue to spray once every 2 to 3 days for several weeks until the insects are gone.
It may take a while to completely get rid of insects, so be patient!
Preventing infestations
- Check the rubber plant and any neighbors regularly for insects so that you can catch them early.
- Avoid over watering- damp conditions promote pest spread.
- Quarantine any new plants that you are bringing home from outside.
Bright sunlight
It is important for your rubber plant to receive the appropriate amount of light- too much light causes leaf burn, but too little light leads to thin, stretched-out stalks.
For variegated rubber plants, the lighter areas are more susceptible to burning than the green due to a lack of chlorophyll pigment. You will notice these area turning brown first if the plant is exposed to too much light.
Learn more about variegated plants.
Burned leaves are brown and look crispy. Once a leaf is damaged, it will not turn back to normal. You can cut off the damaged leaves to improve appearances (however, do not cut more than 1/4 of the total leaves off at once).
Sun burn is especially likely if the rubber plant receives bright, direct light, especially if next to a south-facing window or if it was kept outdoors in the hot sun. This light is very harsh for the plant, so bring it back inside.
If you notice burn, move the plant farther away from the window, or draw a sheer curtain. Rubber plants are fond of bright, indirect light. East facing windows are best.
If you notice the plant turning pale, this is an early sign it is receiving too much light- move it farther away from it’s light source.
Very low humidity
Brown, crispy rubber plant leaves are a sign of low humidity. Rubber plants prefer medium to high humidity. If the surrounding air is very dry, it can lead to an unhealthy plant.
Increase the humidity around the plant in one of the following ways:
- Place a humidifier next to the plant. This is one of the best ways to increase moisture and your other humidity-loving houseplants will thrive as well.
- Fill a shallow tray with pebbles and water, then place the pot inside (make sure the pot is on the pebbles and does not sit directly in the water).
- Mist the air around the plant with a spray bottle (note: the water should evaporate off the leaves within a few minutes. Do not excessively mist the leaves or keep them soaking wet because that causes bacterial disease).
- Avoid sudden changes in humidity (such as constantly moving the plant from indoors to outdoors).
- Keep the rubber plant away from heater or cooler vents.
Very hot or cold temperatures
Rubber plants do best in temperatures from 65 to 85 °F (18 to 30 °C). Do not keep in temperatures below 55 °F (15 °C) or above 90 °F (32 °C). Also avoid exposing the rubber plant to cold drafts or sudden temperature changes.
If your plant is suffering from being kept at the wrong temperatures, cut off the affected leaves and keep the plant in the appropriate temperature.
Plant disease
Bacterial or fungal infection can lead to plant death. Plant disease is promoted by excessively misting leaves and poor air circulation. When small puddles of water sit on the leaves for too long, it causes damage.
To fix this issue, snip off the unhealthy leaves with gardening shears, cleaning the shears between each cut. Use a plant fungicide as directed.
Prevent the spread of bacterial and fungal disease by doing the following:
- Avoid frequently misting the leaves
- Keep the plant in a room with good air circulation
- Do not let the leaves stay wet
Check out these other plant specific care guides
What to do if the whole plant is unhealthy
If the majority of the rubber plant is unhealthy, it may be too late to save it. Instead, cut off one of the branches that is still green and propagate that. While you cannot save the entire plant, you can grow a new one from the cutting.
Follow these steps to propagate your rubber plant:
- Take a stem cutting several inches long with healthy green tissue.
- Fill a vase with room temperature water. Place the new cutting in the vase and let it sit for a few weeks.
- Keep the vase in a warm, humid area with indirect light to promote new growth. Replace the water frequently.
- Once there is enough new root growth, transfer your cutting to a pot filled with well-draining soil and care for the plant as normal.
Rubber plant care tips
Provide your rubber plant with the following conditions to keep it happy:
| Sunlight | Medium to bright indirect light |
| Water | Once every 1 to 2 weeks, allowing the soil to completely dry out between watering |
| Temperature | 65 – 85 °F (18 – 30 °C). Do not keep in temperatures below 55 °F (15 °C) or above 90 °F (32 °C) |
| Humidity | Medium to high humidity |
In summary for how to revive a dying rubber plant…
An unhealthy rubber plant may have: discolored leaves, stunted growth, leaf drop, curling leaves, or wilting stems. These are all signs that something is wrong with your houseplant. Fortunately, you can revive a dying rubber plant if the underlying problem is fixed soon enough
Causes of dying rubber plants include: over watering, under watering, pest infestation, bright sunlight, very low humidity, temperature extremes or bacterial disease.
If the majority of the plant is in poor shape, cut off a stem that is still healthy and propagate that. While you cannot save the whole plant, you can grow a new one from the cutting.
Provide the rubber plant with the conditions listed above for it to thrive!
Have any other questions about how to revive a dying rubber plant that I did not answer? Let me know down below!
