| I received a burgundy rubber plant from Home Depot for gift. It has lost about 8 leaves in last two weeks. In medium light. What's wrong? |
| Some leaf drop is natural (ficus tends to drop its oldest leaves but quickly replaces them). I think your ficus is just adjusting to its new place in your home. It takes them a while and then they make up for lost time by putting on lots of new growth. Ficus generally enjoy bright light (but not direct sunlight) and grow best when the temperature is 70-80 degrees during the day and 65-70 degrees at night. You probably already know not to let your soil get too wet or too dry. Use the pencil test: insert a pencil approximately 3" into the soil. If it comes out with soil on it, the moisture level is fine, if it comes out clean, the plant needs watering. Just be patient with your ficus. I think it will adjust and recover and grow beautifully for you. |
