Rubber Plant Leaf Curl: Causes & Solutions

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) leaves curl from several fixable causes:

Common Triggers

Chemicals: Gas fumes, pesticides, contaminated soil. Repot in fresh mix.
Watering: Both over- and under-watering. Let soil dry slightly, then water deeply (room temp). Less in winter, never bone dry.
Low humidity: Dry indoor air. Use pebble tray (pot above water).
Pests: Aphids, spider mites, scale on leaf undersides. Spray insecticidal soap (commercial, mild, no additives). Avoid hot sun during treatment.
Environmental change: Drafts, temperature swings, direct hot sun. Bright indirect light; protect from extremes.
Leaf shine products: Clog pores. Use damp cloth only.

Diagnose by checking each factor. Most curl causes are easily corrected.

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