Why Rubber Tree Plant Leaves Droop
Hi Judy!
I’ve gone too long without emailing you about my beautiful, but dying, rubber tree plant. I don’t know what is happening or if I can even save it at this point but it is in pretty bad shape. I’ve attached pictures. I have two and one is thriving and the other one is dying as you can see. Any advice?
Hi Jessica,
Here’s the most important question to ask when you try to figure out why Rubber Tree Plant leaves droop: Is the soil wet or dry, not just at the top but toward the bottom of the pot. If the soil is very dry, drooping leaves indicate the plant needs more water. You should set it in a deep saucer of water for 15 minutes. Refilling the water as it is absorbed. If the leaves are drooping and the soil is wet, then you have over watered and the roots have been damaged. You will need to remove the plant from the pot and get rid of all of the wet soil, especially on the roots. Allow the plant to sit out bare root overnight. Repot in dry soil into a container only 2” larger than the root ball of the plant. Be sure there are drip holes in the bottom of the pot so excess water can escape. Never allow the plant to sit in the excess water.
You can read all my care tips for a Rubber Tree plant (Ficus Elastica) in the Popular Houseplant section of the website.