Known for their unique umbrella-like leaves, Schefflera (also commonly known as Umbrella Plants) are becoming more and more popular in the houseplant world. They are quite easy to take care of and don’t require much space in your home compared to some of your other larger houseplants. However, you might find that your Schefflera is starting to show signs of distress in the form of drooping leaves. There are a few reasons why your Schefflera may be drooping, the most common of which are; overwatering, underwatering, insufficient light levels and stress/shock.

Overwatering

Schefflera are pretty hardy plants and won’t die suddenly if you overwater them once in a while. However, consistent overwatering will mean your Schefflera’s leaves will start to droop as their roots begin to rot and turn mushy. Schefflera need to be watered no more than once a week in the hottest months of the year, and less frequently in autumn and winter.

Consistent overwatering will lead to root rot which is very harmful to your Schefflera. It will cause the plant to become unstable, the individual leaves will droop and may even eventually fall off completely as your Schefflera will not be able to get nutrients from the soil to maintain healthy leaves or new growth.

If you think that you may have overwatered your Schefflera it is best to replace the soil straight away rather than just sit and wait for it to dry up over time. Make sure to use a fresh, nutrient rich soil when you do this, our recommendation is this one from Miracle Gro. Be careful when removing the soil from the roots as you don’t want to cause any further damage.

Make sure to check the moisture in the soil before you water your Schefflera. There are two really easy ways to make sure that it definitely needs water. First check the moisture at the top of the soil, if it is still damp then wait a few days before watering again. You can also lift up your Schefflera to check the weight of the plant before and after watering. You will then start to be able to gauge how heavy the soil is when it is in need of water. Make sure to handle your Schefflera gently when picking it up to prevent any leaves from breaking away from the main stem.

If you want to be 100% sure about how much moisture is in the potting mix, and whether it’s actually time to water your Schefflera, then we recommend using a moisture meter. You simply pop them in the soil and it will tell you how soggy the soil is – it’s really that simple. We use this one from Amazon.

Drainage Issues

Sometimes it may not be your watering schedule that is causing your Schefflera’s leaves to droop and fall off, but the poor draining of the soil and pot. You can very easily increase the amount of drainage in your Schefflera by mixing in a small amount of perlite, this will make it far easier for water to flow through and out of the drainage holes of your pots (you should also check to make sure your pots have drainage holes). Another easy step is to add a few small stones or pebbles to the bottom of your pots, this helps in making sure that the drainage holes are never blocked by soil or any loose debris.

Although clay or terracotta pots can be a little bit more expensive or breakable, their upsides are much more than just the aesthetic. The clay they’re made of is permeable which means that some of the water in your soil can evaporate through the sides of the pot. This isn’t the case for the plastic pots that most use, which instead hold in all of that moisture. So sometimes it is worth investing a little more to make sure that the roots of your Schefflera are not sitting in too much moisture. We love using these terracotta pots from Amazon.

Underwatering

Like overwatering, too little water can also be harmful to your Schefflera and cause it to droop (these two often come hand in hand with houseplant problems so it is super important you figure out which one is the cause). Although your Schefflera won’t die on you suddenly if you forget to water it every once in a while, or make it go a little longer without water whilst you are on holiday, consistent underwatering will start to have an impact on your Schefflera’s health (beyond just drooping leaves). If you notice that the drooping leaves are more towards the bottom of the plant, it may be due to underwatering as your plant prioritises new healthy growth over its older leaves.

Stick a finger in the top few centimetres of the soil to check the moisture. You can also try lifting your Schefflera as we mentioned earlier to see it if feels particularly light. If you find that your Schefflera feels very dry, water it a little every other day for a week. Your first instinct might be to give it loads of water straight away but this can actually be harmful to your Schefflera if the soil goes from one extreme to the other (plants get stressed too!). Instead, you want to reintroduce frequent watering for a week or two and this should mean the leaves stop to droop.

If you want the peace of mind of knowing that you’re watering correctly, consider investing in a moisture meter and a self-watering pot like this one. These affordable little gadgets will make caring for your plants just so much easier!

Insufficient light levels

Schefflera plants like bright, indirect light and if they spend too long in a shady spot, their lower leaves may start to droop and then drop off one by one. Make sure you place them in a spot that receives several hours of bright light each day. But make sure they aren’t placed directly next to a window, as direct light will cause other issues for your Schefflera, so it is about finding the right balance.

You might also need to think about moving your Schefflera around depending on the seasons. In the winter months, when the sun isn’t as strong (and out for less of the day) it might be necessary to move your plant a little closer to the window to make use of the limited sunlight as best as possible. It’s best to use a light meter to measure the amount of light your plant gets throughout the day/year as it might be getting a lot more or less than you think!

If you’re really running low on light (like we all do in winter!) you could consider getting yourself an LED light like this one, these help massively in supplementing light and keeping your plants thriving through the darker months.

Stress and shock

Just like humans, Schefflera plants can get a little stressed out when they move home. In their case moving home can be as simple as moving to a new, bigger pot. Signs such as drooping leaves after repotting your Schefflera are totally normal. It may take a few days for the signs to appear but in the right environment, with the right care, it should only take a few weeks for your Schefflera to get used to the new pot and get back to normal. Keep an eye on your Schefflera after repotting to make sure that the signs do not continue for too long.

Your Schefflera may also show signs of stress and drooping leaves if it has been moved to a new spot in your home. A sudden change in light conditions or temperature cause your Schefflera to go into shock. If your plant is still receiving enough light, and the temperature change is not too extreme, then it should settle into its new home nicely after a few weeks. Use a digital thermometer to check your plant isn’t being exposed to extreme drafts or hotspots. If you have moved home, the bumps it may have encountered in the process might have also caused a few leaves to drop but it shouldn’t be anything to worry about long term.

Be careful about placing your plant near any ac/heating vents or radiators. The drafts or heat pockets that are created will also cause your Schefflera to display signs of stress, drooping leaves being one of these signs.

If your Schefflera’s leaves are drooping, but none (or very few) have fallen off, then you’re in luck as you should have caught the issue quick enough to be able to reverse it pretty easily. Once you have diagnosed the issue and rectified the environment or care, your Schefflera should stop drooping and return to full health after a few weeks. If your plant has lost a lot of leaves and you have only just noticed, don’t worry as with the right care, there is no reason why your plant can’t bounce back. It may just take a little longer and require a closer eye. It might be a good idea to take some cuttings from your Schefflera to propagate it to save some of the healthy parts.

Rubber Plants are one of the less sensitive houseplant types as they can adapt to a range of environments. This makes them a great beginner houseplant or perfect for those with a hectic schedule who don’t want to spend much time tending to their plants. However, just because they are slightly more adaptable compared to other houseplant types doesn’t mean you won’t run into issues such as brown leaves from time to time.

The challenging thing with diagnosing and treating brown leaves on a Rubber Plant is that multiple different and totally separate factors can cause them. This is why it’s crucial that you know what signs to look out for and how to diagnose each individual potential cause.

The main causes for brown leaves on Rubber Plants are over- and underwatering, insufficient light and pests. For each of these potential causes, there are a few things you need to look for or do to make the right diagnosis. We will cover all this and more below!

What causes Brown Leaves on a Rubber Plant

Overwatering is a common cause

If the bottom leaves of your Rubber Plant are turning yellow or brown, are drooping or are becoming a little mushy, these are all signs that you are overwatering. This is actually one of the most common causes when it comes to brown leaves on a Rubber Plant so this is always where we would start looking.

Overwatering is one of the main killers of Rubber Plant as the impact can be quite quick. Rubber Plants absolutely hate sitting in water as this can easily lead to root rot meaning the plant becomes unstable and also cannot get needed nutrients from its root system.

Diagnosing overwatering can be quite simple compared to some of the other factors. Firstly, get up close to your plant as waterlogged soggy soil tends to give off quite an unpleasant damp and musty smell. This is the first sign that overwatering is happening.

Then the next step is to check the soil moisture. There are quite a few different methods you can use to do this so it’s just personal preference whether you want to use a moisture meter, the chopstick method, the lifting method or removing the plant from its pot altogether. The last option has the added benefit of being able to inspect the root system which can be helpful to spot root rot.

Underwatering can cause light brown leaves

If your Rubber Plant’s leaves have become quite light brown in colour, dry and crispy (starting from the tips) it may be because you have underwatered them. This is different to overwatering which will often cause softer dark brown and yellow foliage.

Although overwatering is to be avoided at all costs, too little water can also cause harm to your Rubber Plant so it is important to keep an eye on how dry the soil is. Make sure to regularly water your plant, so that it’s not completely dry for long periods of time.

Luckily underwatering won’t instantly kill your Rubber Plant and it is a slower issue to develop compared to overwatering. If you spot a few dry brown tips, adjusting your watering schedule should solve the problem pretty quickly. If entire leaves have turned brown, then it might take a little bit more time to fully revive your plant but don’t give up on it!

Brown leaves can also indicate low light levels

Rubber Plants like bright, indirect light and if they spend too long in a shady spot, they may start to develop brown areas on their leaves. Make sure you place them somewhere they receive several hours of bright light. They shouldn’t be directly next to a window, as direct light will cause other issues for your Rubber Plant, so it is about finding the right balance.

You might also need to think about moving your plant around depending on the seasons to avoid brown patches occurring on the leaves. In the winter months, when the sun isn’t as strong (and out for less of the day) it might be necessary to move your plant a little closer to the window to make use of the limited sunlight as best as possible.

Pests are a worrying sign of brown Rubber Plant leaves

A slightly less common reason why your Rubber Plant’s leaves are turning brown is a pest infestation. It can happen that pests such as mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects take hold of your plant.

Pests will likely start by causing small brown spots across the leaves. This is where they are sucking at your plant, exhausting it. Eventually, the entire leaf can turn yellow or brown and fall off the plant.

Other ways to diagnose a pest infestation is if there are small white dots, white webbing or holes in the leaves. You should also use a magnifying glass to see if you can spot any visible pests. They like to hang out on the undersides of the leaves as well as around the stem joints so look closely there.

Pests are a very serious issue and one that should be spotted as early as possible. If the pest infestation has spread across your plant, then it can be quite difficult to treat (but more on that below).

How to Treat and Prevent Brown Leaves on a Rubber Plant

Treating an overwatered Rubber Plant

If you have been overwatering your plant, then replace the potting soil straight away (rather than waiting for it to naturally dry out). This will allow your plant to start the recovery process immediately and doesn’t risk causing any more damage.

You also want to cut away the rotten roots and dead leaves so that the plant focuses on regenerating healthy growth. Rotten roots will appear very dark in colour and will be soft to touch.

Once you have replaced the soil you need to adjust your watering schedule so that you are either watering less deeply or less frequently. You want to allow enough time for the soil to fully dry out between waterings.

Relocating your plant

If your plant is suffering from a lack of sunlight, then you will need to find a brighter spot for your plant. If this is happening in winter and there is no better place to put your Rubber Plant, then you can supplement the light level using an LED light. These are great for getting your plants through winter without leggy growth and are also a great investment for propagating seeds and cuttings.

Finding a brighter spot for your Rubber Plant will not only prevent brown leaves for light level reasons but it will actually increase the speed at which the potting mix dries out, which will prevent overwatering and consequent issues!

Another thing you should be considering is whether or not you need to relocate your plant throughout the year. One place might be perfect for your plant in winter but might be too bright for it in winter, or vice versa.

Treating a pest infestation

If you find pests on your Rubber Plant, the first thing to do is to remove the worst affected leaves. This will simply reduce the size of the infestation, making it a little easier to tackle.

The next step is giving the whole plant a shower. Luckily Rubber Plant have quite hardy leaves and stems so can withstand the shower better than some other more delicate plants. Make sure the shower isn’t on full pressure and you should be fine. You should also treat your plant with an organic insecticide to fight the infestation and avoid more brown leaves (and eventual plant death).

Make sure to check over your other plants in the room to see if any other plants have pests. Keep your Rubber Plant (and other infected plants) a good distance away from any of your other houseplants as you don’t want the pests to spread.

Preventing a pest infestation

Whilst rare, sometimes pests can creep onto the plants of even the most experienced plant parents. However, there are some things that you can do to help prevent them.

Firstly, pests are more common on plants that aren’t thriving. This is why keeping on top of the watering routine and environmental factors is crucial. A happy plant equals a plant more able to fight off pests.

The second thing that you must be doing is checking over your plants and isolating any that are moving indoors from outside. Pests are much more common on plants that spend some of the year outside and this is one way that they can then spread across your houseplants.

Whenever you are bringing a plant inside, isolate it for a few weeks and give regular check ups. This will allow you to spot any signs of a pest infestation and prevents it from spreading across plants before you notice.

Your questions – answered!

The great thing about Rubber Plants is that they aren’t super sensitive to their environment and can adapt quite well to changes or extremes. This means if there is something wrong with it (such as brown leaves), it tends to be because of one of a few possible reasons which makes the diagnosing process a lot simpler.

Watering is the most common issue with Rubber Plants so we suggest starting there as soon as you spot any brown patches or other issues on your plant. Moving forward, make sure to be giving your plant a thorough check-up about every 4-6 weeks. This will allow you to spot any early warning signs and prevent the issue from progressing any further.

Check out our Rubber Plant care guide for more information on how to best care for your plant and avoid more brown leaves.

Healthy Rubber Plants

Rubber Plants tend to be fairly easy to care for and are definitely less sensitive than a lot of other popular houseplants. However, it can be frustrating when you find that your plant isn’t very happy and the loss of leaves can be a sign of this. The main causes why your Rubber Plant might be losing leaves are: overwatering, insufficient light, change in environment and pests. Rubber Plants may also lose some leaves due to natural ageing so it is important to know the difference so you can adjust your care accordingly.

Overwatering can cause your Rubber Plant to start losing leaves

If you find that your Rubber Plant is losing leaves from the bottom up, then it may be a problem with the roots that is causing the issue. The most common one is overwatering. Giving them too much water too often is one of the main killers of Rubber Plants as the impact can be pretty quick. Rubber Plants absolutely hate sitting in water as this can easily lead to root rot meaning the plant becomes unstable and also cannot get needed nutrients from its root system. Waterlogged soil also gives off quite a damp and musty smell so get up close to your plants every so often to check for any smells.

If you think that your Rubber Plant is waterlogged (and this is why it’s losing leaves), check the moisture of the soil immediately and adjust watering accordingly. We also recommend replacing the potting soil straight away (rather than waiting for it to naturally dry out) so that the roots can begin to recover and resume healthy growth. Take a look at our guide to handling root rot for more information.

In future, to prevent the issue from happening again, try to regulate your watering and always check that the top of the soil is dry before giving your plant any more water. You need to also water according to the seasons; in the spring and summer (growth period) your plant will require water about every 7 days. However, in winter (dormant period) about once a month is enough so make sure that you cut back on the frequency of watering. Correcting your watering habits will help you prevent your Rubber Plant from losing more leaves in future.

Your Rubber Plant might be losing leaves due to drainage issues

It’s worth checking the drainage of the soil and pot that you’re using for your Rubber Plant as even if you are watering the correct amount, without proper drainage your plant may still be waterlogged. Having the root ball soaked in water is likely to bring about a whole host of problems, not just your plant losing leaves. To improve the drainage of your plants; make sure there are unblocked drainage holes in the pot, any decorative pots or planters are regularly checked for excess water and potentially add some stones to the bottom of the pot or perlite to the soil.

If you are using a plastic pot then we also recommend switching this out to a terracotta pot. Plastic pots are great for nurseries and plant shops as they are cheap, lightweight and unbreakable. However, this doesn’t mean they are always the best thing for your plant to be growing in and it can make drainage a bit of a problem.

Plastic pots hold in every drop of moisture so if you accidentally overwater your plant, or the drainage holes are blocked by something, the roots on your Rubber Plant will be sitting in all of that water. However, terracotta pots are permeable which means that some water can escape and evaporate out of the sides. This can go a really long way to preventing waterlogged soil and root rot so will help prevent your Rubber Plant from losing more leaves in future as a result of poor drainage.

Insufficient light can cause your Rubber Plant to begin losing leaves

Rubber Plants like bright, indirect light and if they spend too long in a shady spot, they may start to drop some of their leaves. Make sure you place them somewhere they will receive several hours of bright light. Just be careful when placing them too close to a window though as direct light will cause other issues for your Rubber Plant (for example leaf burn), so it is about finding the right balance.

You might also need to think about moving your plant around depending on the seasons. In the winter months, when the sun isn’t as strong (and out for less of the day) it might be necessary to move your plant a little closer to the window to make use of the limited sunlight as best as possible.

If you’re unsure how much light your Rubber Plant is currently getting, or trying to figure out where in your home you might want to move it to, then it could be worth picking up a light meter. These will help you monitor the light levels throughout the day to ensure your Rubber Plant is getting the right amount.

A change in environment might be why your Rubber Plant is losing leaves

Rubber Plants have nice sturdy leaves, which can sometimes make us believe they are hardy plants that can cope in most environments. However, they are a little sensitive when it comes to their comfort zone. They don’t like to be moved around too much and a sudden change of environment can be quite harmful to your Rubber Plant. They can become quite stressed and this often results in a couple of leaves being shed. Most commonly, your Rubber Plant will start off by losing the lower older leaves in this scenario.

Different lighting and humidity levels can be quite a shock to your Rubber Plant and it may take some adjusting before the new environment becomes its new comfort zone. If you have moved house, the physical knocks it may have received in packing up and transit may have also caused some shock.

Don’t worry too much if your Rubber Plant has dropped some leaves after being moved to a new spot, it is totally natural. As long as the new environment caters for its light and space requirements, it should adjust nicely and regain strong and healthy growth.

Drafts and dry air could also be why your Rubber Plant is losing leaves

Rubber Plants are also quite sensitive to dry air and this may be causing yours to lose some of its leaves. Make sure it is not near a radiator, heating vent or AC unit as the air will be too dry.

Luckily there are a few good ways to increase the humidity for your Rubber Plant. Firstly, we recommend getting into the habit of misting the leaves a few times a week during summer. Just make sure to avoid misting in the evenings as you don’t want the leaves to be damp when it gets colder overnight as this risks leaf rot.

Moving your Rubber Plant to the bathroom is also a nice way to make sure it’s getting a boost in humidity without actually having to do anything. Just make sure that the room is getting the right amount of light. The steam from showering will be just what your Rubber Plant is looking for.

If you’re struggling to find the time to mist your plant, then it might be worthwhile to buy a humidifier. They will keep a nice stable humidity level for your Rubber Plant and will help to avoid brown tips as well as stop your plant from losing any more leaves.

You can read more about increasing the humidity for your plants in our guide.

Rubber Plants also dislike cold drafts so keep them away from any doors or windows that might be drafty. You might not notice the cold air coming in from outside so using a digital thermometer will help spot any fluctuations. You also need to be cautious during summer about streams of cold air coming from air conditioning units. Whilst it might be a nice break from the heat for you, the constant flow of cold air can be quite damaging to your plant.

A more worrying cause of your Rubber Plant losing leaves is a pest infestation

A slightly less common reason why your Rubber Plant might be losing leaves is a pest infestation. It can happen that pests such as mealybugs, spider mites and scale bugs take hold of your plant and exhaust the leaves, causing them to fall off.

If you find pests on your plant we recommend giving the whole plant a shower. They have quite hardy leaves so can withstand the shower better than some other more delicate plants. Make sure the shower isn’t on full pressure and the water is temperate, and you should be fine. You should also treat your Rubber Plant with an organic insecticide to fight the infestation and prevent it from losing any more leaves.

Make sure to check over your other plants in the room to see if any other plants have pests. Keep your Rubber Plant (and other infected plants) a good distance away from any of your other houseplants as you don’t want the pests to spread.

Over-fertilisation can mean your Rubber Plant loses leaves

Most generic plant foods and fertilisers will recommend a dosage for your plants, but it’s often far too much for your Rubber Plant and can result in leaves being dropped. The best thing to do here is to try out feeding at half the recommended dosage and see how your plant reacts. Try also decreasing the number of times you fertilise your Rubber Plant each year. A few times during the growth period of spring/summer will definitely be enough.

Overcrowded roots can cause your Rubber Plant to lose leaves

If your Rubber Plant is losing leaves from the bottom up, and you are sure that overwatering is not the cause, then it may be due to overcrowding roots. Although Rubber Plants don’t need to be repotted often, if you haven’t checked the roots in over a year then it may be time to have a peek. If your plant is potbound it may mean the roots are unable to take up enough nutrients and are damaged from being squeezed together.

If you find that it is time to repot your Rubber Plant, choose a pot that is a few centimetres bigger in diameter as repotting into a much larger pot will cause the plant to become unstable.

Start off by removing all of the old soil carefully from the roots, don’t worry if you find some of the roots are coming off with it, these will grow back pretty quickly and shouldn’t damage the overall health of your plant. Repot using nice new potting soil and make sure that there is proper drainage in the pot, ideally nice holes at the bottom of the pot. To increase drainage you can also add some stones at the bottom, as we mentioned above, so that water can flow through nicely and stop waterlogged soil causing your Rubber Plant to start losing leave again.

Natural ageing can cause your Rubber Plant to lose leaves

As your plant matures, it may occasionally lose a lower leaf as a natural sign of ageing. This is absolutely nothing to worry about but make sure that you keep track of how many leaves have dropped and how often this is occurring.

If you feel it is losing too many leaves, double-check the environment around your Rubber Plant as it could be a sign of one of the issues detailed above. There is no harm in giving the soil and roots a once-over to check for signs of root rot and keep an eye on any changes in light or temperature that may be affecting its health.

There may be quite a few reasons why your Rubber Plant may be losing some of its leaves, so it will take a little bit of a process of elimination to find the right one. However, it is never a bad thing to double-check the root health and your watering schedule so just spend some time getting to know your plant a little better.

You can check out our complete Rubber Plant Care Guide for more information on how to take care of your Rubber Plant and help diagnose any issues that may occur.

Rubber plants are known to be one of the easiest houseplants to take care of as they aren’t as sensitive to their environments as some others. However, this isn’t to say that your Rubber Plant won’t struggle at times if it’s environment doesn’t suit it, so it’s important to look out for the warning signs and treat them as soon as possible to prevent your rubber plant from dying.

The main reasons why your rubber plant might be dying are a change in light conditions, over or underwatering, dry air and pests.

Not enough sunlight might be why your plant is dying

Rubber plants love the sunshine and can struggle to survive without it. They don’t like dark areas of your home and a lack of light will slowly start to mean your plant is having to lose some of its leaves to reserve the energy to keep some alive still. If you have recently moved your rubber plant into a low-light area, or find that it is struggling over the darker winter months, it may simply be that it just requires more light. Try to place your rubber plant near a window but avoid too much direct light as this will scorch the leaves in summer.

Overwatering can be harmful to a Rubber Plant

This will kill your plant quicker than underwatering, as rubber plants hate sitting in water. If you have overwatered your plant it can very suddenly lead to root rot, meaning the plant becomes unstable and also cannot get needed nutrients from its root system. Root rot is one of the biggest killers of houseplants and must be treated immediately.

If the bottom leaves of your rubber plant are turning yellow or brown, this is a sign that you are overwatering. Check the soil moisture and adjust watering accordingly. If you find that the soil is water-logged, replace the potting soil straight away (rather than waiting for it to naturally dry out) so that the roots can begin to recover.

Underwatering can cause your plant to die

Too little water can also mean your Rubber Plant starts to die so it is important to keep an eye on how dry the soil is and for how long. If you find the leaves are going brown and dry at the tips, this is usually caused by underwatering. Make sure to regularly water your rubber plant, a little and often to make sure that the soil is always slightly damp. Rubber plants don’t like to be swimming in water, but they don’t like to have dry soil for too long either.

Dry air might be why your Rubber Plant is dying

Rubber plants like quite humid environments and can struggle in homes with dry air, which may be one of the reasons why your Rubber Plant is dying. This can be especially damaging in winter months when we often have the heating on for several hours a day. A lack of humidity in the air can cause leaves to dry and fall off. If you feel you have quite dry air, make sure to mist your rubber plant every few days and this should help prevent the plant from drying out.

Rubber Plants are sensitive to drafts

As well as dry air, Rubber Plants are also quite sensitive to drafts. They really dislike cold air so make sure that it is not placed near doors or windows that may be drafty. Even though the temperature of your home may be perfect for your rubber plant, the drafts coming in from outside may be colder and harm your plant’s health.

Rubber plants aren’t that fussy when it comes to their environment, so the majority of these problems are easy to fix. Your Rubber Plant won’t die on you suddenly and it will tend to give you enough warning if it is unhappy at all in its environment. Make sure you check on your rubber plant every now and again to spot any changes in their leaves as catching the warning signs early will help you prevent it from dying. One simple thing to make sure of is that your watering schedule is regular. If you follow the basic care guide for your rubber plant then it should be quite happy.

Healthy Rubber Plants

If you have noticed that your Rubber Plant’s leaves have started to droop then you are totally correct in thinking that there is something wrong.

Usually, if not paired with any other warning signs, it means you have caught the problem early and bringing your Rubber Plant back to full health shouldn’t be too difficult.

Luckily, we have figured out exactly why Rubber Plants get droopy leaves so you’ll find out everything you need to know below…

Rubber Plant Drooping: Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For

Are you noticing a change in your rubber plant‘s posture? Is it starting to look a bit down?

The rubber plant, also known as Ficus elastica, is a popular houseplant with shiny, broad leaves that can add a touch of the tropics to any home. But when your rubber plant starts to droop, it can leave you feeling perplexed and worried.

Drooping, sagging leaves are often the first sign that something is amiss with your rubber plant. This could be a reaction to a variety of conditions, such as overwatering, underwatering, insufficient light, or even just a natural response to its growth pattern.

But fear not! Identifying the signs early can help you take the necessary corrective actions.

Underwatering often causes drooping Rubber Plant leaves

Like all other houseplants, Rubber Plants need water to survive and consistent underwatering will start to cause a range of issues for your plant; including droopy leaves!

Rubber Plants can be forgiving if you forget to water them occasionally, but if the problem goes on for several months you’ll start to notice issues.

You want to make sure that the potting mix has time to dry out but that you don’t go for more than 7-10 days without watering during the growth period (and 2-3 weeks during winter).

How do I know if underwatering is the cause of the drooping leaves?

There are a few key indicators you should look for to determine whether underwatering is causing your Rubber Plant’s leaves to droop.

Leaves are dry and crispy

Along with drooping leaves, if the leaves on your Rubber Plant are also very dry, crispy or break easily if touched, then you are probably underwatering your plant. If the problem isn’t caught early enough, the leaves may also turn a light shade of brown.

The potting mix is dry

An easy way to see if the drooping leaves are caused by underwatering is by taking the plant out of its pot and inspecting the potting mix.

If the soil feels very dry to touch, almost like dust, and doesn’t stick to your fingers, the roots or the pot then your plant needs more water. You can also try the finger/chopstick and lifting methods to check moisture levels if you don’t want to get your hands dirty.

The soil is coming away from the sides of the pot

This is a great method to be able to tell if your plant is being underwatered just from looking at it.

If you start to notice that the soil is compacting and actually coming away from the sides of your pot, then it indicates that you need to increase watering and this may be the cause of the drooping leaves on your Rubber Plant.

Your plant perks up again after watering

Only try this if you have checked the moisture level in the soil first to be sure that you aren’t giving more water to an overwatered plant.

If you notice that your plant begins to perk up a little and the leaves are looking slightly less droopy a few hours after watering then this is probably the issue. However, sometimes when the problem has progressed quite far, you won’t notice after just one water.

Use a moisture meter

If you want to make sure that you don’t make any more mistakes with watering then we highly recommend buying a moisture meter.

You simply pop them in the soil and it will tell you how much moisture is in the soil so you can be 100% sure you are watering your plants correctly. They are great for every budding plant parent.

How do I fix an underwatered Rubber Plant?

Your first instinct may be to drown your Rubber Plant in water to stop the leaves from drooping.

However, if your Rubber Plant’s environment changes very suddenly it can cause your plant to go into shock. Instead, you want to slowly reintroduce watering by giving it a little twice a day for one week.

This will slowly dampen the soil and you should start to see your plant returning to full health. In future, make sure to give yourself a better watering routine so you don’t underwater your plant and cause drooping leaves again.

If you want to avoid the issue all together, you can invest in a self-watering pot like this one. We use these all the time as they make watering super easy to deal with, and we don’t have to worry if we’re away from home for a little while!

Healthy Rubber Plant Leaves

Overwatering can also cause drooping Rubber Plant leaves

Similarly to underwatering, too much water can actually also make your Rubber Plant’s leaves droop down and it can be a much more worrying issue.

Waterlogged soil means the root system on your Rubber Plant will be damaged and your plant won’t be able to get the nutrients it needs. This will cause the leaves on your Rubber Plant to droop down, turn dark brown, soft and they’ll start to fall off too.

You want to make sure that the potting mix has fully dried out before watering again. Rubber Plants are a type of succulent which means they hold water in to help them survive through drought periods. So too much water will cause them to become very soft, limp and droopy.

How do I know if overwatering is the cause of the drooping leaves?

Luckily, a lot of the signs for overwatering are quite different to underwatering so you just need to know what to look out for.

Leaves are soft and mushy

If you notice that the leaves on your Rubber Plant are soft and mushy, as well as droopy, then overwatering is the most probable cause.

The leaves may also start to turn quite a dark brown or black if the problem has progressed far.

The potting mix is waterlogged

If you notice the potting mix is soggy and clumpy, overwatering is probably the cause of your Rubber Plant’s drooping leaves.

The potting mix will smell

If you suspect overwatering, we recommend getting up close to your plant and smelling the soil. Waterlogged soil gives off an unpleasant musty and damp smell which is hard to miss.

Use a moisture meter

To be sure that overwatering is the cause, you may also choose to use a moisture meter. These affordable little devices can tell you with certainty how dry or soggy the soil is.

How do I fix an overwatered Rubber Plant?

If you suspect overwatering is the cause of your Rubber Plant’s drooping leaves, then you must act quickly to prevent any more damage.

Take your Rubber Plant out of its pot to check if the potting mix is waterlogged. Inspect the root system and trim away any rotten or damaged roots.

If the potting mix is soggy, replace it with fresh high-quality mix so that your plant can start to recover. Don’t wait for the potting mix to naturally dry out as this will only cause more damage to the roots/plant. Remove any soft/mushy leaves so your plant can focus its energy on new growth.

Going forward, make sure to only water your Rubber Plant when the potting mix has fully dried out. This will help avoid the problem recurring and help keep your plant happy, healthy and not drooping!

You may also want to use a self-watering pot to make sure that your plant only gets the water it needs. They help to avoid both under and overwatering and are definitely worth it to stop your drooping Rubber Plant leaves turn into something more serious.

Also great for forgetful waterers or plant parents who love to travel a lot.

Drainage issues can also cause drooping leaves

Sometimes it may not be your watering schedule that is causing your Rubber Plant to have drooping leaves, but poor drainage in the soil and pot.

There are a few really easy ways you can help increase the drainage and solve the issue of drooping leaves on your Rubber Plant.

Add perlite into the potting mix

You can very easily increase the amount of drainage in your Rubber Plant’s soil by mixing in a small amount of perlite, this will make it far easier for water to flow through and out of the drainage holes of your pots.

Perlite is a lightweight white material that not only helps drainage but it also aids aeration of the soil, giving your plant the oxygen they need. You can get great pre-mixed potting mixes that include perlite like this one, which save a tonne of time and are super convenient!

Ensure your pot has drainage holes

It’s very important that your Rubber Plant’s pot has drainage holes so that any excess water can flow out of the pot into either the planter or the saucer. If there are no drainage holes, it makes it way easier to accidentally overwater and your Rubber Plant will be sat in waterlogged soil.

Another easy step is to add a few small stones or pebbles to the bottom of your pots, this helps in making sure that the drainage holes are never blocked by soil or any loose debris.

Use clay/ terracotta pots

Although clay or terracotta pots can be a little bit more expensive and are breakable, their upsides are much more than just the aesthetic.

The clay they’re made of is permeable which means that some of the water in your soil can evaporate through the sides of the pot. This isn’t the case for the plastic pots that most use, which instead hold in all of that moisture.

So sometimes it is worth investing a little more to make sure that the roots of your Rubber Plant aren’t sitting in too much moisture as this will help avoid drooping leaves.

Drooping leaves can indicate a lack of sunlight

Although watering issues are the most common causes of drooping leaves on Rubber Plants, not enough sunlight may also be a factor.

Rubber Plants need a good amount of bright, indirect light to thrive. Anything less and you may start to notice several issues developing with your plant.

Drooping leaves is one of the early signs but if the problem develops you’ll also notice discolouration of the leaves, stunted growth and your plant shedding leaves.

If you suspect a lack of sunlight is causing drooping leaves on your Rubber Plant, then we recommend moving it to a slightly sunnier spot in your home.

Keep it away from too much direct sunlight (especially in summer) as this can scorch the leaves. A light monitor can help in diagnosing this as the issue, and if you do find that low light levels are causing the problem then an LED grow light like this one is a great way of supplementing healthy light levels!

Too many salts may cause drooping leaves

If none of the other factors are the cause of your Rubber Plant’s drooping leaves, then over-saturation of salts may be the reason. It is less common than the above but still an important factor to consider.

An issue with salt can be brought about by poor water quality from watering but is most likely from over-feeding/ fertilising your plant.

It is a little bit harder to diagnose whether over-fertilisation has caused the drooping leaves on your Rubber Plant because the issue is not always visible, but you may see white bits building up on top of the potting mix. This can indicate salt build-up.

Only feed your Rubber Plant during the growth period of spring and summer. We always recommend feeding at less than the recommended strength suggested in the instructions to reduce the risk of burning.

Each and every plant is so different, so we can’t expect one measure to fit all. It depends on the maturity of your plant, the season and your plant’s individual environment to determine how much to fertilise.

Hold off feeding your Rubber Plant and wash through or replace the potting mix to reduce the build up of salt which may be impacting the health of your plant’s root system.

Reviving Your Drooping Rubber Plant: Practical Solutions and Tips

If you’re noticing that your rubber plant is looking a little down and out, fear not! There are practical solutions and tips that you can employ to bring your rubber plant back to life. Here’s what you can do:

Adjust Watering Habits

Remember that watering is fundamental to your rubber plant’s health. Overwatering or underwatering can both lead to drooping leaves. A good rule of thumb is to let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. If the soil feels soggy, hold off on watering and allow it to dry out.

Change the Light Exposure

Light plays a significant role in the health of your rubber plant. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to droop, whereas too little light can make the plant weak and leggy. Aim for a balance – give your rubber plant bright but indirect light.

Revise the Temperature and Humidity

Rubber plants are tropical plants and hence prefer warm temperatures and high humidity. Try to maintain a temperature between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit and boost the humidity around the plant by misting it regularly or placing it on a tray of pebbles with water.

Inspect for Pests and Diseases

Check your rubber plant for signs of pests like spider mites, scales, or aphids. These pests can weaken the plant and lead to drooping leaves. If you find any, treat the plant immediately with a natural insecticide or soap solution.

Repot if Necessary

If your rubber plant has grown too large for its pot, it might be time to repot. A plant that’s too large for its container can become root-bound, causing the leaves to droop. Choose a pot that’s a couple of inches larger in diameter than the current one and repot using fresh soil.

Once you’ve made these changes, be patient. It might take a little time for your rubber plant to bounce back, but with consistent care and attention, it should perk up and regain its health.

Conclusion

These are the key reasons why your Rubber Plant’s leaves might have started to droop down. Issues with watering are the most common causes for this problem so we always recommend starting there and working your way through the list.

If you have caught the problem early enough, a quick fix should bring your plant back to full health. However, if the problem has progressed further than just drooping leaves you may need to propagate the healthy parts of your Rubber Plant if you can’t manage to revive it.

To find out more about general care, common problems, propagation advice and our top tips, check out our complete Rubber Plant care guide.

Brown leaves on a Rattlesnake Plant is not uncommon. Luckily there are only a few causes which means treating the problem becomes actually fairly easy. Below you will find the top 3 reasons why Rattlesnake Plants develop brown leaves.

Lack of humidity can cause brown leaf tips or edges

If your Rattlesnake Plant has brown and dry leaf tips or leaf edges, then humidity may be the cause. Rattlesnake Plants like relatively high humidity and will struggle in homes that have quite dry air. This problem is a lot more common in winter as heating and less ventilation can mean the air in your home dries out a lot quicker.

Here are a few ways to increase humidity for your Rattlesnake Plant:

Mist the leaves

This is one of the easiest ways to increase the humidity for your Rattlesnake Plant and avoid further brown leaves. Mist the leaves a couple times a week with a spray bottle. (We love these amber glass ones from Amazon). Never mist them in the evenings though as with the cooler temperatures at night, the leaves are a lot more likely to rot and wilt.

Build a pebble tray

This requires a little DIY but it’s a great solution for brown Rattlesnake leaves. Fill up a tray with small stones and fill it up halfway with water. Place your plant on top and slowly the water will evaporate around your plant increasing the humidity. One important thing to note with pebble trays is you never want the plant pot to reach the water as this can cause the roots to rot.

Give your plant a wash down

One simple thing that raises the humidity instantly is showering your Rattlesnake Plant. Washing it down with water also gets rid of dust and potential pests that might be on your plant. Shower your Rattlesnake Plant down with lukewarm water sp you don’t shock or burn the plant. Keep the water pressure relatively low to avoid breaking any of the leaves or stems.

Placement

If you have good lighting in your kitchen or bathroom then we recommend moving your Rattlesnake Plant in there. The humidity level in those rooms is naturally higher than in other areas of your home because of showering and cooking. Just be careful not to put your plant too close to the cooker or this will burn the leaves pretty quickly!

Buy a humidifier

These keep the humidity in the room at a consistent level so are great for keeping your humidity-loving houseplants happy and avoiding brown leaves and leaf tips. Some humidifiers even have features that mean you can put it on a repeating schedule or turn itself off once the rooms reach the desired humidity level.

We always recommend this humidifier from Amazon as a great place to start.

If you want to know more about how to raise the humidity for your Rattlesnake Plant then check out our humidity guide.

Fluoride sensitivity can also cause brown leaves

Rattlesnake plants can sometimes be sensitive when it comes to tap water. If you live in an area with hard water then it means there is a higher level of fluoride, chlorine, salts and minerals in the water. Over time this can cause your plant to develop brown leaves or leaf tips.

If you don’t want to invest in a water purifying system (we don’t blame you as they are pretty expensive) then there are two free and easy ways you can solve this problem.

Leave the water 24 hours before watering

If you leave your watering can full of water out for a full day then most of the chemicals should evaporate leaving your tap water pure.

Rainwater

Another method is to collect rainwater as the chemicals are much lower than the treated water that comes out of your tap.

It may take a little bit of time for the effects of this change to come through but it should prevent any further leaves from turning brown.

Underwatering can quickly cause brown leaves on a Rattlesnake Plant

If the leaves are turning quite brown dry and crispy but all over and not just the edges and tips then it may be due to underwatering. Rattlesnakes like to have moist soil but never soggy. This means you have to get the right balance when watering which can be difficult. We always recommend a little but often approach to avoid over or underwatering.

If you think your plant has been underwatered then check the soil before you do anything! You want to be sure that this is the cause otherwise you may very quickly be overwatering. Once you are sure that the soil is bone dry, then slowly reintroduce watering. Your first instinct might be to drown the plant in water but this can actually cause more damage and more brown leaves. This is because plants get shocked by a sudden change in environment.

Water your plant a little bit once a day for a week. After a week you want to go back to a more normal care routine, making sure to check the moisture in the soil frequently to avoid the brown leaves from developing again!

These are the main reasons why your Rattlesnake Plant has developed brown leaves. If you want to find out more about general care then check out our Rattlesnake Plant Care Guide for everything you need to know to keep your plant happy and healthy.

If you’ve noticed that your Rattlesnake Plant has started drooping then there is a good chance that something isn’t right. However, as they are part of the Calathea plant family, Rattlesnake Plants do curl up and naturally move quite a bit so it’s important you don’t mistake this for drooping stems and leaves.

Below we will go through each of the individual causes of a drooping Rattlesnake Plant as well as how to spot whether or not it is simply natural movement. We will also guide you through the diagnostic process and how to treat and prevent the issue from happening again.

A drooping Rattlesnake Plant can indicate underwatering

The most common cause of drooping Rattlesnake Plant leaves is underwatering. Rattlesnake Plants like to have some moisture in the soil and will struggle if they are consistently underwatered. A lack of water can also cause other issues such as dry brown leaves and your plant actually losing leaves so you want to avoid this as much as possible.

To figure out if underwatering is the cause of your Rattlesnake Plant’s drooping leaves, take the plant carefully out of its pot and check the moisture in the soil. If the soil is very dry and powdery and the roots have started to slowly crisp up, then underwatering is the most likely cause.

You want to be careful when reintroducing water to your Rattlesnake Plant as a sudden change of environment can cause the plant to go into shock. This can result in your plant losing a handful of leaves so best to be avoided.

Instead, you want to water your drooping plant a little once a day for about a week. This should be enough to give the soil a good soaking. After a week you want to go back to a more usual watering routine, making sure you are watering more frequently or more deeply than before to avoid the problem happening again in future.

Low humidity can also result in a droopy plant

If the soil isn’t particularly dry, it could be a lack of humidity that is causing your plant’s leaves to droop. Rattlesnake Plants, like the whole Calathea family, like quite humid environments and can struggle in homes with dry air.

As they have quite thin leaves, dry air can impact it a lot quicker than other plant types and can cause brown leaf tips and edges as well as a drooping plant.

Luckily, there are many easy and often free methods to increase the humidity for your Rattlesnake Plant:

1. Mist the leaves each day

   One of the simplest ways to increase the humidity for any of your houseplants is to mist them with a spray bottle. If the issue has become quite bad, then misting once a day will help a lot, otherwise, a few times a week will be enough. We love these spray bottles from Amazon because they’re super affordable and look great!

2. Move your Rattlesnake Plant to the bathroom

   If you have great natural lighting in your bathroom you can move your Rattlesnake Plant in there to increase the humidity. The running water from your showers means your bathroom is probably one of the most humid in your home and it means you don’t have to worry about increasing the humidity yourself!

3. Build a pebble tray

   Place your Rattlesnake Plant over a tray of pebbles with fresh water over the top. Over the day water from the tray will evaporate giving the plants above exactly what they’re looking for. Just make sure that the plant isn’t sitting in the water as this can cause waterlogged soil and root rot.

4. Give your Rattlesnake Plant a shower

   To quickly raise the humidity and wash down your Rattlesnake Plant of any long-standing dust, you can always give them a quick shower. Simply pop them in the shower and wash them down with lukewarm water, this will clean off the leaves and give the soil a good soaking. This is a short-term solution though but good to give a proper boost every now and again.

5. Buy a humidifier

   They’re relatively affordable little devices and they make keeping a consistent humidity level so much easier. This is our favourite humidifier from Amazon, it does a great job of keeping some humidity in through the colder/dryer months.

Overwatering can also cause a droopy Rattlesnake Plant

Rattlesnake Plants are pretty hardy plants and won’t die suddenly if you overwater them once in a while. However, consistent overwatering will mean their leaves will start to droop as their roots begin to rot and turn mushy and dark in colour. This tends to be more common in winter as the soil dries out a lot slower in cold environments, thus increasing the risk of root rot.

If you have overwatered your Rattlesnake Plant it is best to replace the soil if it is waterlogged straight away rather than just sit and wait for it to dry up over time. Be careful though when removing the soil from the roots as you don’t want to cause any further damage to an already sensitive plant.

Moving forward, to prevent overwatering from causing more damage in future, make sure to check the moisture in the soil before you water your Rattlesnake Plant to ensure it has had time to dry out.

Cold temperatures may be to blame

Rattlesnake Plants thrive in warm temperatures meaning they’ll struggle in homes with cold air and cool drafts. During winter, cold air streaming through cracks in windows and external doors can be really damaging to your plant’s health. But it’s also something to consider in summer as if your plant is too close to any AC vents, this can also be harmful.

Make sure that you draft-proof any windows or doors that are close to your Rattlesnake Plant (and other tropical houseplants) as well as move them away at least one meter away from air conditioning units.

We recommend using a digital thermometer to monitor any changes in temperature around your Rattlesnake Plant as this will make it pretty easy to diagnose and treat the problem. They are also generally a great investment for plant parents as they’ll allow you to find the perfect places for each of your plants.

Don’t mistake your drooping plant for natural movement

Rattlesnake Plants are part of the Prayer Plant family which naturally fold their leaves at night and uncurl them in the morning. If you were to take a timelapse of your Rattlesnake Plant plant over 24 hours you would be shocked at how much they move around!

Part of this natural leaf movement means their leaves can often look a little droopy but it’s actually nothing to worry about.

If your Rattlesnake Plant’s leaves look a little droopy then we always recommend monitoring their position a little for a few days before making any changes to their care or environment. You don’t want to disrupt anything without knowing for sure there is a problem.

Taking photos throughout the day from the same position is a great way to monitor the movement of the leaves. If you notice your Rattlesnake Plant’s leaves are moving around a lot over the days you are monitoring them then that is completely normal and the drooping was simply part of that natural praying and moving.

However, if the leaves do not move much and are continuing to droop down and look quite limp then this is probably a sign your Rattlesnake Plant is unhappy.

Those are the most common reasons why Rattlesnake Plants start drooping down. It’s important that once you’ve made a change to either the care or environment, that you keep a close eye on your plant to check that things are getting better and your plant is no longer drooping down.

To learn more about how to keep your plant happy and healthy for years to come, check out our Rattlesnake Plant care guide.

Known for the way their leaves fold up at night, Prayer Plants are becoming one of the most popular plants to find in shops across the world! If you are starting to notice your Prayer Plant developing yellow leaves, it could be an indicator that something isn’t quite right. Below we have outlined the most common causes of yellow leaves in Prayer Plants to help you diagnose the problem.

Overwatering can cause yellow Prayer Plant leaves

We always find that the most common cause of yellow leaves on Prayer Plants is overwatering. Too much water can lead to waterlogged soil and root rot which causes a whole range of issues, yellow leaves being one of the first signs. Prayer Plants hate sitting in puddles of water so you need to make sure you are watering your plant correctly. Both the frequency and amount of water are important to monitor.

Rotting and mushy roots mean that the plant is unable to take up nutrients and the leaves will turn yellow, mushy and fall off the plant.

If you suspect that overwatering is the cause of the yellow leaves on your Prayer Plant then you must check the moisture levels in the soil immediately. Waterlogged soil also gives off quite a damp and musty smell so get up close to your Prayer Plant and check for any smells.

If the soil is very soggy then replace it immediately rather than waiting for it to dry out naturally. This will prevent any further damage to the roots and more yellow leaves from developaing and will allow them to slowly recover. Check out our guide to handling root rot for more information.

Yellow leaves can also indicate drainage problems

Sometimes it may not be your watering schedule that is causing the yellow leaves on your Prayer Plant, but the poor draining of the soil and pot. You can very easily increase the amount of drainage in your Prayer Plant’s soil by mixing in a small amount of perlite, this will make it far easier for water to flow through and out of the drainage holes of your pots (you should also check to make sure your pots have drainage holes). Another easy solution is to add a few small stones to the bottom of your pot which will make sure the drainage holes don’t get blocked by soil.

Terracotta pots are also great at regulating the moisture in the soil as they are permeable. This means that some of the water escapes through the sides of the pot which will go a long way to preventing yellow leaves caused by root rot.

Sunburn will cause yellow patches across your Prayer Plant

Another cause of yellow leaves in Prayer Plants is sunburn. This can happen if the plant is exposed to too much bright direct sunlight. Prayer Plants have quite delicate leaves and so don’t do very well in intense light. Sunburn will show itself in patches of yellow across the leaves. Unfortunately, these patches are irreversible so you are best trimming them off if the leaves are quite severely damaged.

Make sure to move your plant away from the direct light to a shadier spot in your home and this should prevent any more yellow patches forming on the leaves.

Too much fluoride can result in yellow leaf edges

90% of the time using tap water is totally fine for our houseplants and won’t ever cause issues such as yellow foliage. However, if you live in a particularly hard water area then over time a fluoride build-up may occur in the soil and the plant is unable to get the nutrients needed. It can be hard to diagnose this as sometimes it shows up as yellow leaves, brown leaf tips and even a mixture of the two, so we recommend eliminating all the possibilities first.

There are a few ways to make sure that the water you give them is fluoride-free. Firstly you can leave a jug of tap water for around 24 hours to allow for a lot of the chemicals to evaporate. Another method is leaving a tray outside to collect rainwater to give to your houseplants to make sure chemical levels are lower than the treated water that comes out of your tap.

Fungal disease is a worrying cause of yellow leaves on your Prayer Plant

Although rare, yellow Prayer Plant leaves can also be caused by a fungal disease. This happens when the plant is consistently overwatered or the leaves are often wet for long periods of time. In order to stop the disease from causing more issues with your plant, use neem oil on the plant and water and mist less to prevent it from reoccuring.

Luckily, if you have caught the problem early and there aren’t too many yellow leaves on your Prayer Plant then correcting the issue should solve it and you should start to see new luscious patterned growth again very soon!

If you find that the yellow is just getting worse, then we’d highly recommend that your take a look into how to propagate your prayer plant. This could mean that you don’t completely lose it if the yellowing takes over!

You can find out more about caring for your plant in our Prayer Plant guide.

Prayer Plants are known for the beautiful pattered leaves and get their name from their unique feature of closing up like praying hands during the night. Prayer Plants tend to be pretty easy to care for but if you notice some of the leaves turning brown, it is a sign that something is wrong. There aren’t too many reasons why your Prayer Plant might be developing brown spots, the most common reasons are; watering issues, dry air, too much sunlight, chemicals in the water or a pest infestation.

Dry air can cause brown leaf tips on your Prayer Plant

If the soil isn’t particularly dry, it could be a lack of humidity that is causing your Prayer Plant’s leaves to turn brown. Prayer Plants like quite humid environments and can struggle in homes with dry air. This can be especially damaging in winter months when we often have the heating on for several hours a day. A lack of humidity in the air can cause the leaves to be a little limp and droop down as well as turn brown. There are several ways you can increase the humidity for your Prayer Plant:

Misting the leaves

One of the simplest ways to increase the humidity for your houseplants is to mist them with a spray bottle a couple of times a week. This will go a long way to avoiding any more brown leaves developing on your Prayer Plant.

Pebble tray

Place your houseplants over a tray of pebbles with fresh water over the top. Over the day water from the tray will evaporate giving the plants above exactly what they’re looking for.

Give your Prayer Plant a shower

To quickly raise the humidity and wash down your Prayer Plant of any long-standing dust, you can always give them a quick shower. Simply pop them in the shower and wash them down with lukewarm water (keeping the water pressure fairly low so you don’t damage the leaves) this will clean off the leaves and give the soil a good soaking.

Move your Prayer Plant to the bathroom

If you’re lucky enough to have great lighting in your bathroom you can move your Prayer Plant in there to increase the humidity. The running water from your showers means your bathroom is probably one of the most humid in your home which means it’ll naturally help to stop brown leaves.

Buy a humidifier

They’re relatively affordable little devices and they make keeping a consistent humidity level so much easier. Most will allow you to place them on a timer so they run on a fixed schedule, and some will even have a built-in monitor so they automatically turn on and off to keep the humidity exactly where you want it.

Want to know more about how to raise the humidity for your Prayer Plant and other houseplants? We have written a whole guide on this.

Overwatering can also cause brown leaves on your Prayer Plant

Too much water can also cause your Prayer Plant to develop brown leaves and this can be quite a worrying cause as it can damage the plant quite quickly. But instead of the leaves being light brown and crispy, they are soft and darker brown. Check your Prayer Plant’s soil straight away to see if it is waterlogged. If it is, then replace it with fresh potting mix to allow the roots to recover.

To avoid the problem happening again in future, make sure you are checking the moisture levels in the soil each time before you water.

A lack of moisture can dry out the leaves

Like overwatering, too little water can also be harmful to your Prayer Plant so it is important to get the right balance. Although your Prayer Plant won’t die on you suddenly if you forget to water it on occasion, if the issue persists, the leaves, stems and roots will dry out. This will first cause dry brown leaf tips, edges and spots across the leaves before drying out leaves entirely, leaving your Prayer Plant brown.

Your first instinct might be to give your plant a lot of water straight away but this can actually be harmful to your Prayer Plant if the soil goes from one extreme to the other. Yes, plants can get shocked too by a sudden change in their environment so water a little bit once a day for a week instead.

Too much light can also cause brown leaves

Your Prayer Plant could be in an area where it’s getting a little too much light, or it’s getting too hot and this is causing brown patches to form on the leaves. The perfect spot for your Prayer Plant is just a touch further inside a bright room, potentially an east-facing window if there’s a good spot free.

If you’re not already, make sure to open your windows every now and then to make sure that the air in your room is circulating properly. This reduces the risk of hotspots forming in the room where your plant is sat. The ideal temperature for Prayer Plant is between 18°C – 24°C, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to keep in a good range. You can always pick up a digital thermometer to check the spot your plants are sat for piece of mind.

Chemicals in the water can result in brown leaf tips on your Prayer Plant

Prayer Plants can actually be a little sensitive to fluoride and chlorine that you find in tap water. If you live in a hard water area, it may be that your Prayer Plant is reacting to high levels of chemicals in the water. There are two ways to make sure that the water you give them is free of both these chemicals. Firstly you can leave a jug of tap water for around 24 hours to allow for a lot of the chemicals to evaporate. Another method is leaving a tray outside to collect rainwater to give to your houseplants to make sure chemical levels are lower than the treated water that comes out of your tap.

Brown leaves can also indicate a pest infestation

A slightly less common reason why your Prayer Plant’s leaves are turning brown is a pest infestation. It can happen that pests such as mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects take hold of your plant.

If you find pests on your Prayer Plant we recommend giving the whole plant a shower. Make sure the shower isn’t on full pressure as this can damage the leaves quite a bit. You should also treat your Prayer Plant with an organic insecticide to fight the infestation and prevent more brown patches developing.

Make sure to check over your other plants in the room to see if any other plants have pests. Keep your Prayer Plant (and other infected plants) a good distance away from any of your other houseplants as you don’t want the pests to spread.

Prayer Plants are becoming all the rage in recent years. Their beautiful colourful leaves and unique praying ability means they stand out in a crowded plant shop! But what does it mean if your Prayer Plant suddenly starts to lose its leaves? Well there are a few different possibilities, some more worrying than others.

Dry air can cause your Prayer Plant to lose leaves

Prayer Plants need a certain level of humidity to be happy. And that level tends to be a little higher than the average home. This will become a bigger problem over winter when we have the heating on throughout the day and air our homes less. If the leaves on your Prayer Plant have gone dry and crispy before falling off then this may be the cause.

To increase the humidity for your Prayer Plant we recommend misting the leaves, putting together a pebble tray or investing in a humidifier. You can find out more in our humidity guide.

Leaf drop can also indicate overwatering

Too much water can also lead to your Prayer Plant losing leaves. If you notice the stems and leaves becoming a little softer than usual this may be because the roots are beginning to rot. This means that the plant isn’t able to get all the nutrients it needs and becomes unstable and droopy.

To figure out if overwatering is the cause of the loss of leaves, check the moisture levels in the soil immediately. If the soil is quite waterlogged and clumpy then replace it with fresh dry mix which will allow the plant to start to recover. Trim away the rotten roots and hold off on watering as much as you did before.

Due to the damage to the root system, your Prayer Plant may take a little while to fully recover and grow new healthy leaves. But be patient and you should start to see improvements after a few weeks.

Top tip: waterlogged soil can give off a damp, musty smell so get up close to your plants every once in a while to check!

Pests can also cause your Prayer Plant to lose leaves

Another rarer cause of Prayer Plants dropping their leaves is a pest infestation. Insects such as mealybugs or spider mites can take hold of the plant and suck on their nutrients which will cause leaf damage. Over time these leaves will begin to fall off the plant.

Use a magnifying glass to try and spot the pests on the plant. They like to hang out on the undersides of leaves or near the leaf and stem joints.

You can find out more about how to identify, treat and prevent all the types of houseplant pests in our downloadable ebook.

Natural ageing can cause the odd leaf to fall off

If you have gone through all of the above but none of it really fits what is going on with your Prayer Plant then it may simply be natural ageing. Over time it’s totally normal for your Prayer Plant to drop some of its oldest leaves as it focuses on new bigger growth. These old leaves will often turn yellow before falling off the plant.

If your prayer plant isn’t dropping many leaves (1 or 2 every few months) then it probably is nothing to worry about and is simply part of the natural shedding process. But do keep an eye on how often they are falling off. If the rate speeds up then check your plant over again to spot any of the signs we listed above.

You can find out more about caring for your plant in our Prayer Plant care guide.