The beauty of the gum tree lies in its large glossy leaves, whether you own a variety with green leaves or multicolored leaves. Of course, it's even worse when the tree loses its leaves.
Leaf loss is often due to improper watering
As long as your rubber tree only sheds its lower leaves and grows new ones at the top, you usually don't need to worry. It's a tree that just develops a trunk and a crown over time, at least in its natural home. The rubber tree also behaves similarly as a houseplant. If the trunk slowly lignifies, then it loses its leaves in this area.
However, you should worry if your rubber tree gets brown leaves in the upper area or even loses them. The reasons for this can be diverse. Have you watered your rubber tree sufficiently but not too much and also fertilized it? Drafts or an infestation with pests can also be responsible for leaf discoloration or leaf loss.
What can I do about excessive leaf loss?
If your rubber tree is in a suitable location, i.e. bright, warm and protected from drafts, then check the care. If the soil is very wet, it is best to replace it completely. You should not fertilize it immediately after repotting or changing the soil. The fresh soil contains enough nutrients for the coming weeks and months.
If the soil is rather dry, then water your rubber tree a little more frequently than before over the next few weeks. How often have you fertilized your rubber tree? A portion of liquid fertilizer about every six weeks is enough for him, but he should actually be getting it.
Possible reasons for dropping the leaves:
- watered too little or too much
- too much or too little fertilized
- draft
- infestation with pests
- too little light
tips
If your rubber tree only loses its leaves on the lower part of the woody trunk, then this is completely normal and nothing to worry about.