Rubber tree has yellow leaves

Yellow leaves due to waterlogging

The rubber tree (Ficus elastica) comes from warm, humid areas, but grows there on permeable soils. The tree does not tolerate waterlogging. This causes rot on the roots, which in turn causes yellow soft leaves.

The tree needs a pot with drainage holes in the bottom. A gravel drainage layer in the lower third is useful. It is best not to place the pot in a planter, but in a saucer. Water can accumulate unnoticed in a tight decorative pot.

The safest way is to not water the rubber tree until the soil on top is dry. Ideally, place the pot in a bucket of lukewarm water and wait until no air bubbles appear. Then put it in a sink to drain the water before it comes to its usual place. A dip once a week is usually sufficient.

Ideal location of the rubber tree

The houseplant can cope with a dark place. Without sufficient light, it only tends to have long shoots with small leaves. In extreme cases, the rubber tree sheds old leaves. With constant drafts and temperatures below ten degrees Celsius, the tree usually quickly loses its leaves. These do not turn yellow beforehand.

Place the ficus in a bright, sunny spot. Make sure that it is not exposed to the full midday sun. In summer rubber trees develop on the balcony or the terrace splendid. The biggest problem with an unfavorable location is that the rubber tree is prone to pest infestation.

Care errors that lead to leaf losses

If, as described, the watering and the location are correct, a pot that is too small or missing may be the case fertilizer be the cause of yellow leaves.

In summer, add complete fertilizer to the water every 14 days. Lift the tree with the root ball out of the pot. If this is completely rooted, it must be repotted. This is usually due after three years.

Choose a pot that is a little larger. The distance between the root ball and the edge of the pot is ideally three to four centimeters. Pour gravel into the bottom of the new pot. The root ball should end two centimeters below the edge of the pot when you place the tree on this layer.

Put two inches of soil on the gravel and see if the tree has rotten roots. Cut this off. To prevent it from bleeding, dab charcoal powder on the wounds. Put it in the pot and fill the edges with soil.

Carefully pour water into the pot to sludge the soil. It sinks in the process. You usually have to fill in more soil several times. Warning: the juice that escapes is latex. Work with gloves if you are allergic to them.

Fight pests on the ficus

A healthy rubber tree is not prone to pest infestation. Care mistakes weaken it, pests nest. Webbing on the underside of the leaves is a sign of spider mites. Small brown pox are scale insects. If you spot tiny white woolly spots, the ficus has mealybugs. the lice cover the leaves with a sticky coating. Yellow or silver-gray pin-prick-like spots are caused by thrips.

Home remedies such as washing up with soapy water or alcohol only help with a slight infestation. The pests are also on underground parts of the plant. Predatory mites (Phytoseiulus) help against mites. Thrips can be destroyed with the predatory mites (Amblyseius barkeri and Amblyseius cucumeris).

Since there are several parasitic wasps against lice, be sure to find out about them Lice species knowledgeable who live on your rubber tree. Some of the pests can also be combated with ladybirds or lacewings.

Rubber tree pest infestation checklist

• Choose a bright location.
• Water and fertilize optimally.
• Repot in good time.
• Wash the leaves regularly with lime-free water.
• Watch out for sticky substances, webs and stains.
• Wash off with soapy water.
• Use specific beneficial organisms.

Care of the rubber tree at a glance

Care measures
measure	Hints
Location	bright and sunny protect from the midday sun no drafts
Substrate	normal potting soil Gravel from drainage in the lower area
to water	an immersion bath once a week
Fertilize	every 14 days in summer
Repot	every three years, when the pot is rooted
Spider mites Fight thrips	Predatory mites
Fight scale insects	Parasitic wasps
Fight mealybugs	Parasitic wasps (Leptomastix dactylopii)

The rubber tree is a robust plant that usually only gets yellow leaves if you water too much.