A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Help, my rubber tree is DYING

I was given a huge rubber tree more than a year ago and I love it. But it seems to be dying and I don't know why. Let me just tell you right off that I am no gardener and don't really know what I'm doing. I water it about once a week and keep i where it gets plenty of light but not too much direct sunlight. but lately the leaves have all started to droop and then turn brown and fall off. I also noticed that the soil does not seem to hold the water when I do my watering. All the water just seems to run right through and out the other end. I don't know what to do and I really don't want to lose this plant. If anyone can help I would really appreciate it.

My first thought is to re-pot it with some good soil. How long has the soil been in there?

the soil has been in there at least as long as I've had it which is about a year and a half and who knows how long before that. I've heard that rubber trees don't particularly like being re-potted but I really have no idea, like I said before, I'm not much of a gardener.

Hi Gabe100
here is a link from the garden helper..

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/rubberplant.htm

I had a rubber tree for 4 years in the same pot,, If the water is running right thru it it could mean that the soil is soooooooo dry it does hold water,, IF that is the case Water it until the water stops draining then you know you have enough water,,
Transplanting with new soil shouldn't be a problem,, I just transplanted mine a few weeks ago I used 1/2 cactus and succulent mix,, with 1/2 regular potting soil . And it's doing fine,
I take mine outside every spring thru fall ~ morning sun afternoon shade Because it's so hot here in Tx it wouldn't handle the afternoon sun.
Every time I take it outside I lose a few leaves,, as well as bringing it in for the winter.
Mine got over 7 foot tall,, 2 years ago I cut the top off and put the cutting right back into the soil and it took root ,
A few weeks ago it was over 8 ft tall I cut off two stocks at the top . repotted it and put the cut stocks back into the soil and they and the entire plant is doing fine,,
I would Propose IF you feel the soil has gone 'bad" go ahead and repot it using the 1/2 and 1/2 mix as mentioned above, spring is a good time to do that,,!