Hello. I am a rubber plant, *Ficus elastica*. You are concerned about my leaves falling. From my perspective, this is my primary language of communication. I cannot verbalize my distress, so I must show you. Here are the reasons I might be dropping my leaves.
I am a creature of habit. A sudden shift in my location, temperature, light, or humidity is deeply stressful. If you recently brought me home from the nursery or moved me to a new spot, my leaves may drop in protest. This is a shock to my system. I must shed older foliage to conserve energy for new growth that is better adapted to my new conditions. Please try to find a stable place for me with consistent, bright, indirect light and avoid drafts from heating or cooling vents.
My relationship with water is delicate. Overwatering is a common mistake. If my roots are sitting in saturated soil, they cannot breathe. They will begin to rot, severing my ability to take up water and nutrients. Ironically, this causes me to drop leaves as if I am thirsty—because functionally, I am. Conversely, if you forget to water me for too long, the soil becomes too dry. My cells lose turgor pressure, and I will sacrifice leaves to reduce my overall water demand and survive the drought. The goal is consistently moist, but never soggy, soil.
I am built for the dappled sunlight of the forest understory. If you place me in direct, harsh sun, my large leaves can scorch, damaging their tissues and potentially causing them to fall. More commonly, I am kept in a spot that is too dim. Without sufficient light, I cannot perform photosynthesis efficiently. I lack the energy to sustain all my foliage, so I must let some go to prioritize my survival. I need a bright spot where the sun does not shine directly on me for extended periods.
You may not see it, but beneath the soil, my roots need room to grow. If I have been in the same pot for years, my roots can become so tightly coiled that they form a solid mass. This makes it difficult for them to absorb water and nutrients effectively, and the soil structure breaks down. This root-bound state mimics the effects of both overwatering and underwatering, leading to leaf drop. If you notice roots circling the surface or emerging from the drainage hole, it is time for a slightly larger home.
Sometimes, my leaf drop is a direct response to an invasion. Pests like spider mites, scale, or mealybugs suck the sap from my leaves and stems, weakening me and causing foliage to yellow and drop. Fungal or bacterial diseases can also attack my root system or leaves, disrupting my vital functions. Regularly inspecting my leaves, especially the undersides, for any signs of webbing, sticky residue, or unusual spots is crucial for my defense.
