If your rubber tree is shedding its leaves, then you are right to be concerned. Various causes can be responsible for this. The quicker you find out the reason, the sooner you can help your rubber tree and the better its chances of survival.
Why is my rubber tree losing its leaves?
A rubber tree loses leaves due to incorrect watering, a location that is too cold, a lack of light, drafts, diseases, pest infestation or too much or little fertilizer. As a preventative measure, it needs a warm, bright location, moderate irrigation, nutrient-poor soil and moderate fertilization.
Why is my rubber tree losing its leaves?
First, check your watering behavior. Have you watered your rubber tree enough, but not too much? It doesn't tolerate waterlogging at all. The so-called dipping method is well suited instead of watering daily.
Submerge the pot with your rubber tree under water until no more air bubbles rise from the soil. Now let the pot drain well and after a few minutes pour any water that may have been collected out of the planter again.
The location can also be to blame for the falling leaves. Maybe your rubber tree is too cold or has a draft. Another possibility why your rubber tree is drooping or losing its leaves is a lack of light, which the rubber tree needs a lot of. If the fertilizer is the cause of the falling leaves, then you have probably fertilized too much rather than too little.
Could my rubber tree also be sick?
With good care and in the right location, the rubber tree rarely gets sick. However, sometimes spider mites or mealybugs appear. You can fight these fairly well biologically, as long as you notice the infestation early. A magnesium deficiency is also possible but also quite rare. However, if you react too late, your rubber tree is at risk of being destroyed. It may also infect its neighboring plants.
Causes of leaf loss:
- incorrect watering
- too cold location
- too little light
- Draft
- Diseases or pest infestations
- too little or too much fertilizer
How can I prevent leaf loss?
Give your rubber tree a bright and warm place. It even tolerates dry heating air quite well. However, you should definitely avoid drafts. Always water your rubber tree only when the soil is slightly dry, but not too much. Fertilize it sparingly, as it does not need very many nutrients.
The best preventative measures:
- bright and warm location
- no drafts
- Temperatures above 16 °C to 18 °C
- water only a little or, better yet, dip as soon as the soil dries slightly
- nutrient-poor soil
- fertilize little to moderately
Tip
If your rubber tree is losing its first leaves, you should definitely check the location and your care.
