Question
I've had my rubber plant for more than 20 years and it's always been a healthy plant and has moved house with me many times. We recently moved it for a month as we put the Xmas tree up in its spot and gave it a temporary home next to the tv. It gradually got less and less healthy looking and started dropping leaves. We have moved it back to its original position and have pruned the empty branches back. It has continued to drop leaves and only has about 15 small leaves left instead of loads of leaves of all sizes. It looks very sad and I'm am worried that it is dying. It has been in the same pot for many years. Can anyone offer any advice?

Answer
Julie,

In it's normal location how much sun does it get? This plant needs lots of sun and I suspect it got very little for the 2-3 months it was next to the TV but it did get the same amount of water it usually got. That caused it to be overwatered. With no sun it could not use that much water so the roots were constantly wet and you kept coming back with more water. The roots started to rot and now even though you have moved it back to the sunny location it is still wet and has very few roots left. Check the soil and if it feels wet take it to the bathtub and remove the drain tray and drain off as much water as possible. Then do not water the plant till the soil is dry.  To allow the roots to grow back you must follow the directions below.

It will take time for the roots to grow back first before you will see leaves grow back.  You have to learn to water the plant without overwatering it.  When  the soil feels dry insert a bamboo skewer  from the grocery store like you would use to make shish kabobs or meat skewers on the grill. If the skewer comes out of the soil dry it is time to water, if it comes out wet it is not. Wait until the soil is dry to water it then water it enough that most of the soil is moist but do not give it as much as you have been giving it in the past, cut the amount by about half. An hour after you water it if there is any water in the drain tray suction it out with a turkey baster. Then do not water again until it is dry again. If you follow these watering instructions the roots will slowly grow back and withing 3 months you will see new growth on top. You just have to be patient, it takes time. Keep it in the sunniest location possible and keep the drapes and blinds open.  Good luck.

Darlene