Hello, human. I am your Rubber Plant (*Ficus elastica*). I am not trying to be difficult; my leaf-dropping is my primary way of communicating that my environment is causing me significant stress. From my perspective, here are the reasons I might be shedding my beautiful, glossy leaves and what you can do to help me stop.
I am a creature of habit. If you recently brought me home from the nursery, moved me to a new room, or even just rotated my pot, I am likely going through shock. My leaves are highly sensitive to changes in light intensity, temperature, and air flow. When these factors shift suddenly, I interpret it as a threat and may sacrifice a few leaves to conserve energy while I assess my new situation. Please be patient with me; I usually adjust and stop dropping leaves once I acclimate.
My roots are talking to my leaves, and the message isn't good. This is the most common conversation we need to have.
Overwatering: If my soil is constantly soggy, my roots are drowning. They cannot access oxygen, and they will begin to rot. Once root rot sets in, they cannot transport water and nutrients to my leaves, so I must shed them to survive. Please only water me when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to your touch.
Underwatering: Conversely, if you let my soil become bone-dry and hard, my roots become brittle and cannot absorb what little water is there. Without hydration, my leaves will wilt, turn brown, crispy, and eventually fall off. I enjoy consistent, moderate moisture.
Light is my food. I need bright, indirect sunlight to photosynthesize and produce energy. If you place me in a deep, dark corner, I cannot produce enough energy to sustain all my leaves. I will strategically abandon some to keep my most crucial parts alive. On the other extreme, if you put me in direct, harsh sunlight, my large leaves can actually get sunburned. Scorched, damaged leaves will eventually yellow and drop. A spot near an east or north-facing window is often perfect for me.
In my native tropical habitat, the air is humid. The dry air produced by your heating or air conditioning systems is very stressful for me. It pulls moisture from my leaves faster than my roots can replace it, causing them to develop dry, brown edges and eventually drop. Please consider grouping me with other plants, placing my pot on a pebble tray with water, or using a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air around me.
Though I am resilient, pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects can sometimes attack me. These tiny creatures suck the sap directly from my leaves and stems, robbing me of my nutrients. This assault weakens me significantly, forcing me to drop the compromised leaves. Please regularly inspect the undersides of my leaves and my stems for any signs of these pests. If you find them, promptly isolate me and treat me with an appropriate insecticidal soap or neem oil.
