Be aware of what the Ficus elastica problems and how to fix them can help keep your plant healthy and as beautiful as it should be. If you've noticed that something seems to be wrong with it, we recommend that you keep reading.
We are going to analyze the most common health problems that this species can suffer from and what we can do to prevent them and cure them if they have already appeared.
Yellow sheets
Although care that Ficus needs They are not too complex, any small mistake we make can affect their health.
In the specific case of Ficus elastica, you may have noticed that some of its leaves are taking on a yellowish tone. This phenomenon can have several causes, So you should carefully analyze the conditions of your plant:
Excess of water
Overwatering is the most common cause of yellowing Ficus leaves. To avoid this problem, make sure the plant only receives water when the top layer of the substrate is dry to the touch, and use pots with drainage holes.
If you have overwatered, leave the plant without watering for several days. If it is a severe case:
- Remove the root ball from the pot.
- Cut off any rotten roots.
- Let the rest of the roots dry.
- Repot using new substrate.
Lack of light
Another cause of yellow leaves is that the plant is not receiving enough light to photosynthesize. To prevent this problem make sure you place the Ficus elastica in a location where it receives bright indirect light, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight. direct sunlight for many hours, because the leaves could burn.
If yellow leaves are the cause of this problem, try a new location for the pot. Preferably, near a window where light is filtered through a curtain.
Stress due to environmental changes
Drastic changes in temperature, moving, transplanting or draughts cause stress to the plant which can cause its leaves to turn yellow. To avoid this, try not to subject the Ficus to major changes.
If the cause of the yellow leaves is stress, make sure that the cause of the stress has disappeared. In a few days everything should return to normal.
Leaf fall, one of the main problems of Ficus elastica
It's okay if the plant loses a few leaves from time to time, this is natural. What is worrying is when the leaves start to fall off in large quantities.
As with the case of leaves turning yellow, this can happen if there is incorrect watering (what happens here is that you are watering less than you should) or if the plant is exposed to a sudden change in light levels.
The problem can also be caused by low humidity, because this plant needs an environment with moderate humidity.
To solve the massive fall of leaves, make sure you water frequently, avoid subjecting the plant to sudden changes and increase environmental humidity by spraying its leaves with a little water.
Brown spots on the leaves
This is one of the problems of Ficus elastica that can be difficult to solve, because finding its cause is not always easy.
- Sunburn. If you have exposed your plant to many hours of direct sunlight, the spots may be burns.
- Irregular irrigation. If you subject your Ficus to water stress, sometimes experiencing periods of drought and other times you give it a lot of water, these types of spots may also appear.
- pests. Insects such as spider mites and scale insects damage the leaves and their action can lead to the appearance of brown leaves.
To prevent and solve the problem, make sure to place the plant in a place where it receives bright but indirect light, and establish a watering frequency that avoids water stress. Also, regularly inspect the Ficus for pests and, if you detect the presence of insects, implement solutions as soon as possible.
Slow growth
Slow growth or stunting is a symptom that there are problems in the environment or that the plant is not receiving all the nutrients it needs.
The causes of this problem can be:
- Lack of light. If the Ficus does not receive enough light, its growth slows down and the new leaves are smaller than normal for this species.
- Lack of nutrients. The plant is not well nourished and therefore cannot grow.
- Small pot. The roots of the Ficus already fill the entire pot and cannot expand, which impedes the growth of the plant.
Solutions include increasing the hours of light the plant receives, but avoiding direct sunlight. Apply a balanced fertilizer every four to six weeks during the spring and summer months and transplant the Ficus to a larger container. (preferably in early spring).
Pests
It is not uncommon for Ficus health problems to be caused by the action of insects such as scale insects, spider mites and aphids. These feed on the plant's sap and result in discoloured, weakened or deformed leaves, and They can even cause the death of the Ficus if we do not act in time.
Pests spread more easily in dry environments, especially mites. But it is also possible that the infestation occurred through the proximity of the Ficus to other plants that were already being attacked by insects previously.
Prevention involves checking the leaves (on both sides) and stems weekly. If you detect the presence of insects, remove them with a cloth moistened with soap and water. In case of a serious infestation, Apply natural products such as neem oil or a specific insecticide.
Ficus elastica problems can cause serious damage to this hardy and relatively easy-care plant. The key to avoiding them is to pay attention to the signs that something is wrong and make the necessary adjustments as soon as possible.