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Rubber Plant · Ficus elastica

How do I get rid of pests on my rubber plant?

Rubber plants are prone to scale insects, which look like small brown bumps on the stems. Check the stems and leaf undersides closely to catch these pests early.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the stems for small brown bumps.
  2. Look for fine webbing between the leaf nodes.
  3. Check the undersides of the leaves for any sticky residue.

Likely causes

  1. Scale Insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: Hard brown bumps appear on the stems or veins of the leaves that can be scraped off with a fingernail.

    What to do: Dab the insects with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Repeat this process every 5 to 7 days until they are gone.

  2. Spider Mites

    Possible

    How to tell: Fine webbing appears between the leaves and the foliage looks dusty or speckled.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Increase the humidity around the plant to make the environment less hospitable.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your rubber plant

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

A few insects can be managed, but a full infestation can weaken the plant significantly. Act as soon as you see the first sign.

Stopping it coming back

Regularly wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth to keep them clean and inspect the plant during your watering routine.

Rubber Plant: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your rubber plant and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Can I use soap on my rubber plant?
Yes, a mild insecticidal soap is safe for rubber plants. Always test a small area first before spraying the whole plant.
Why do I keep getting scale?
Scale often enters the home on new plants. Always quarantine new plants for 2 weeks before placing them near your others.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Rubber Plant

Back to the Rubber Plant guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.