Overwatering
Wet soil plus yellowing lower leaves points squarely at overwatering — the fastest way to lose a rubber plant.
Diagnosis
Overwatering
What's happening
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) wants its soil to dry out partway between waterings. When the roots sit in soggy mix they can't draw oxygen, so they suffocate and begin to rot. The plant reacts by shedding its oldest, lowest leaves first, which turn a soft, even yellow and then drop.
How to fix it
Stop watering and let the soil dry well down. Slide the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots — healthy ones are firm and pale, so trim any brown, mushy roots with clean scissors and repot into fresh, chunky, well-draining mix in a pot with drainage holes. Going forward, water only when the top 1–2 inches feel dry, and always empty the saucer so the pot never stands in water.
What fixes it
- A soil moisture meter — A moisture meter removes the guesswork — only water when it reads dry an inch or two down.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Rubber Plant care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this