Rubber Plant Bumps = Scale + Wrong Soil (Garden Soil in Pot)

Two Problems: Garden Soil Repotting & Scale Infestation

Repotted Ficus elastica in garden soil → poor drainage + scale insects (tiny bumps on leaves/stems).

Fix the Soil First

• Repot now into well-draining potting mix (peat/perlite/bark).
• Garden soil compacts, suffocates roots in pots.
• Use pot with drainage hole.

Treat Scale

1. Q-tip + alcohol to remove hard shells.
2. Spray entire plant with alcohol solution (1:5 water + soap).
3. Repeat every other day for 2 weeks.
4. Monitor weekly.

Aftercare

• Bright indirect light.
• Water when top inch dry.
• No fertilizer until recovered.

Scale likely came with plant (dormant), flared after repotting stress. Fix both, and it'll recover.