What's with the Brown Edges on My Rubber Tree?
Why Are The Edges of My Rubber Tree's Leaves Browning?
Rubber Trees are a standout indoor statement plant because they have gorgeous foliage. Glossy, richly colored and burgundy-tinged, the super-shiny leaves of the Rubber Tree (or Ficus Elastica as it’s also known) are its crowning glory, and make it the perfect plant to elevate spaces with minimalist aesthetics. As far as plant care goes, this variety of ficus is very easy to care for. But like any plant, it can exhibit signs of stress in the form of less-than-perfect foliage if its needs are not being met. Read on to learn why your Rubber Tree’s leaves may be experiencing browning and the edges, and what you can do to correct it.
Overwatering
It may sound counterintuitive, but Rubber Trees can exhibit browning foliage as a result of overwatering. We know that this may sound strange, given that these plants appreciate humidity and originate in the Amazon— but your indoor space differs considerably from their natural habitat. When grown indoors, within the confines of a pot, Rubber Trees simply don’t require (or desire!) copious water. You should water your plant only when its topsoil is dry to the touch-- and note that that may mean as seldom as once every three weeks or so. If you probe the soil and find that it is soggy or drenched, allow the soil to dry out entirely before watering again.
Next Steps for Light and Water
Your Rubber Tree utilizes the water it receives in accordance to its environment. The humidity and dryness of the air, as well as the amount of light it receives, have a direct effect on its water consumption, so be mindful that less bright light = water is used up more slowly by the Rubber Tree. This does not necessarily mean you need to move your plant- just that you may need to cut down on your watering. Prepare your plant for a new era of success by trimming off any significantly browning foliage by cutting the leaves off with clean, sharp scissors or shears. You an also manicure the brown areas off of otherwise healthy leaves, by trimming the brown parts off in the direction of the leaf’s growth. Once trimmed, allow your Rubber Tree to dry thoroughly before resuming your watering routine, and measure its moisture before watering by pushing a bit of the preserved reindeer moss out of the way and sticking your finger two inches down into the plant’s soil. If it is dry to the touch, you may water. Plan on using this method of manually gauging its moisture regularly.
Call The Plant Doctor
If you follow all of the instructions above, but your Rubber Tree continues to exhibit a high percentage of troubling brown foliage, reach out to our Plant Doctor team for an assessment and guidance. You can do so by logging into your Leon and George account, selecting the option to “Contact Plant Doctor”, and attaching photos of your Rubber Tree as a whole, as well as close-ups of its leaves’ brown edges. The Plant Doctor support team will respond with their thoughts and instructions for care within 2-3 business days.
Rubber Tree
Lush, glossy emerald and burgundy foliage is the crowning glory of the Rubber Tree, a stunning and low-maintenance statement plant for any space. Adaptable to low light, the Rubber Tree requires watering only sparingly.