Rubber plants (Ficus elastica) are known for their thick, shiny leaves. Rubber plant leaves curl due to several reasons, including: low humidity, improper watering, pests, and temperature changes. Continue reading to learn more about what to do when rubber plant leaves curl and how to fix this problem.
See other plant specific care guides here.
Rubber plant leaves curling due new growth
Before starting off, it is important to know that new growth on a rubber plant can appear curled. This is completely normal and does not signify a problem. As the leaf ages, it straightens out naturally.
Rubber plant leaves curling due to low humidity
Dry air causes curling leaves. Increase the humidity around the plant in one of the following ways:
- Place a humidifier near the plant to increase the moisture in the air (this benefits your other humidity loving houseplants as well).
- Fill a tray with pebbles and water. Place the plant pot on top of the pebbles, making sure it is not in direct contact with the water. As the water evaporates, it increases the humidity around the plant.
- Mist the surrounding air with a spray bottle. You will have to do this frequently because it is not as effective as the other methods.
- Place the rubber plant in a naturally humid room, such as a bathroom.
Rubber plant leaves curling due to too much light
If the rubber plant’s leaves have grown paler or have brown sunburn spots, it is likely receiving too much light. This is especially likely if your rubber plant was kept outside where it was exposed to direct sunlight or if it was directly in front of a bright window.
On the other hand, if the plant does not receive enough sunlight, it grows leggy with wide spaces in between the leaves.
For best results, provide the rubber plant with medium to bright indirect light.
Rubber plant leaves curling due to over watering
Water your Ficus elastica once every 1 to 2 weeks during the summer. In the winter, you can get away with watering once every 3 weeks. Use room temperature water and pour until the water leaks out the drainage hole of the pot. Rubber plants prefer for their soil to dry out between watering. Plants in cooler temperatures or shady rooms require less frequent watering than those in warmer temperatures or brighter areas.
The easiest way to determine when to water your plant is just by sticking your finger in the soil- if it feels moist, wait a few more days. If it is dry, you can water.
Over and under watering both lead to leaf curl, which makes it a bit tricky to determine the cause.
Signs of an over watered rubber plant include:
- Yellow, mushy leaves
- Brown stems
- Leaves that easily fall off
- Soggy, wet soil
If over watering is the cause, cut back in watering frequency and prune the plant. Let the soil completely dry out for several weeks before watering again. Provide the plant with bright light and keep in a warm, well-ventilated area so the soil dries out quicker.
If the soil feels very wet, it is better to change out the soil, rather than waiting for it to dry out completely. Remove the plant from it’s pot and wash out the pot with soap and water. Fill with new, well-draining soil. Mix in a few handfuls of perlite and orchid bark to a houseplant soil to increase drainage.
Prune the plant until there are no signs of rot. You may have to cut off a lot of the plant if the damage is extensive.
Make sure the pot has a drainage hole so excess water can drain out. Clay or ceramic pots are better than plastic pots.
Remember the rubber plant is dormant during the winter so it requires less water during this time in comparison to when it is actively growing during the summer.
Rubber plant leaves curling due to under watering
While rubber plants prefer the soil to be dry before watering again, bone dry leaves also cause curling leaves. Fortunately rubber plants are more forgiving of under watering than over watering.
Other signs of under watering include:
- Dry, brown leaf tips
- Droopy stems
- Dry soil
In particular, if your rubber plant was in front of bright light or in a hotter climate, it should be watered more frequently.
If your rubber plant is under watered, give it a good drink. Water until you see it leak out the drainage hole. Soaking the entire soil this way promotes root growth.
Rubber plant leaves curling due to pests
Infestation by pests, such as mealy bugs, thrips or aphids, changes leaf shape. These insects suck on the sap of the plant, distorting it’s appearance, which results in leaf curl.
Carefully check all over the plant for signs of insects, paying special attention to the underside of the leaves and the nooks of the plant. If there are pests, move the rubber plant away from any neighboring plants so the infestation does not spread.
Spray the plant with diluted neem oil or rubbing alcohol. Dab any bugs you see with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Repeat every three to four days until the pests are gone, which may take several weeks. Avoid keeping the plant in front of bright, direct light while spraying with alcohol as that could burn the leaves.
Rubber plant leaves curling due to temperature changes
Rubber plants do best in temperatures from 65 – 85 °F (18 – 30 °C). They are not fond of very cold or very hot weather, as that leads to leaf curl. Furthermore, suddenly moving the plant from one temperature to another can shock the plant, also causing leaf drop and change in shape.
Keep the rubber plant at room temperature and avoid sudden temperature changes. If you keep the plant outside, bring it back indoors before the temperatures dip below 55 °F (12 °C) to avoid cold damage. Avoid keeping the plant near cold or drafty windows.
Rubber plant leaves curling due to cleaning products
Rubber plant leaves are naturally glossy and smooth. Avoid using leaf shine cleaning products as they can harm the leaves and cause curling. Simply wipe the leaves with a damp paper towel every few weeks to remove dust and keep the leaves clean.
Pruning curly rubber plant leaves
If a leaf has only curled slightly, it may revert back if the underlying problem is fixed. However once the leaf of a rubber plant has curled extensively, it will not straighten out again. The leaves eventually drop off. Prune the curled leaves to improve appearances. Do not remove more than 20% of the plant at once to prevent shock.
How to care for your rubber plant
Rubber plants do well in the following conditions:
| 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 rubber plant leaves curling…
Rubber plant leaves curling may be due to:
- New growth: this is completely normal and nothing has to be done. The new growth eventually straightens out with age.
- Dry air: rubber plants are fond of humidity. If the air is very dry, consider placing a humidifier nearby, putting the pot in a pebble tray, or moving the plant to a room with more natural humidity.
- Bright light: leaves exposed to direct, bright light may turn pale, then burn. Rubber plants thrive with medium to bright indirect light. Avoid keeping the plant outdoors in full sun.
- Over watering: like many other houseplants, rubber plants do not like their feet to be wet for too long. Over watering is a common cause of plant death, so take care to only water once the plant’s soil has dried to touch and plant in a well-draining soil mix.
- Under watering: rubber plant leaves curling may also be due to under watering. This is especially likely if the soil is bone dry, the leaves look brown and dried out, or the plant is somewhere sunny/warm. Give the plant a good drink.
- Pests: insects destroy the structural integrity of the plant by sucking on the sap. Keep a close eye on the rubber plant if you notice distorted growth. If there are pests, wash the plant under a stream of strong water and dab any insects with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. Be patient as it takes a while to completely get rid of any pests.
- Temperature extremes: rubber plants prefer room temperatures from 65 – 85 °F. Avoid very hot or very cold temperatures to prevent plant damage and leaf curl. If the plant is outdoors, bring it inside when temperatures are colder than 55 °F.
- Cleaning products: the rubber plant has naturally glossy leaves. There is no need to use any cleaning chemicals or leaf shine products. Simply dust the leaves with a damp cloth.
Providing the rubber plant with bright, indirect light, keeping it in room temperature with good humidity, and watering appropriately all help prevent rubber plant leaf curling. However, a few curling leaves is not a death sentence. Overall, rubber plants are forgiving and the plant can bounce back if the issue is fixed soon enough.
See other plant specific care guides here
Have any other questions about rubber plant leaves curling that I did not answer? Let me know down below!
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