The real star of the Rubber Tree (*Ficus elastica*) is definitely its foliage. Depending on the variety, those leaves can be a stunning glossy dark green or even a mix of vibrant colors. So, when your plant starts dropping its leaves, it doesn’t just look sad—it’s a major red flag that something is wrong.
The Root of the Problem
If your Rubber Tree suddenly starts dropping leaves or loses them one by one until it’s bare, it’s time to take action. If you don’t figure out the “why” behind the leaf drop, you might lose the whole plant.
There are a few common culprits behind a total leaf loss:
- The pot is too small
- Issues with its location (or moving it too often)
- Over-fertilizing
- Root rot from overwatering
- Switching from soil to hydroponics
The Pot is Too Small
Even though Rubber Trees are relatively slow growers, they aren’t just growing up—they’re growing down, too! Their root systems need space. If those roots get cramped and “pot-bound,” the plant will start shedding leaves because it can’t sustain itself.
What to do:
- Move your Rubber Tree into a slightly larger pot.
- If the roots are bursting out, don’t wait—repot it immediately.
Location and “Moving Stress”
Rubber Trees can be a bit picky. If yours isn’t happy with its spot, it’ll let you know by discoloring its leaves or dropping them entirely. This often happens with brand-new plants that haven’t adjusted to their new home yet.
The same thing happens if you move your *Ficus elastica* to a different room. If the plant thinks its new spot is a “downgrade” compared to the old one, it might throw a bit of a tantrum and drop its leaves in protest.
What to do:
- Make sure your plant is in a spot that actually meets its needs (bright, indirect light is key!).
Over-fertilizing and Soggy Soil
Too much of a good thing can be deadly. Over-fertilizing or overwatering (leading to standing water in the pot) will cause the roots to rot. One of the first signs that the roots are decaying is a total loss of foliage.
What to do:
- Repot the plant into fresh, dry soil immediately.
- Stop fertilizing entirely for at least a month or two.
- Be very stingy with the watering until the soil has had a chance to dry out significantly.
Keep in mind that it can take a while for the plant to bounce back from root damage, so be patient!
Switching from Soil to Hydroponics
You can definitely move a Rubber Tree from soil to hydroponics, but you have to be meticulous. You must clean every single speck of soil off the roots. If even a little bit of organic matter stays behind, it can lead to mold and rot, causing your Ficus to drop all its leaves.
