---
title: "Woke up to find my ficus elastica burgundy’s lower leaf had turned…"
description: "Woke up to find my ficus elastica burgundy’s lower leaf had turned orange. It looked completely green and healthy two days ago. I watered it yesterday, and let…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/IVqGNVxQQ9GmUkqSthyArw"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Adrian"
published: "2024-09-20T14:40:02.783743Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CQyscbeN5f0KZltdaSyx3VQZZh8uHYoaKDmCZlFICjE/s-ogusYlTvm_jfXRcuySsQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Woke up to find my ficus elastica burgundy’s lower leaf had turned…

_Posted by Adrian on 2024-09-20_

Woke up to find my ficus elastica burgundy’s lower leaf had turned orange. It looked completely green and healthy two days ago. I watered it yesterday, and let the soil completely dry out between waterings. Google can’t decide if this is a sign of thrips, rust, or simply overwatering. Any help is greatly appreciated in advance.

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CQyscbeN5f0KZltdaSyx3VQZZh8uHYoaKDmCZlFICjE/s-ogusYlTvm_jfXRcuySsQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CQyscbeN5f0KZltdaSyx3VQZZh8uHYoaKDmCZlFICjE/JWO-a3H7Ql6XcR4NyH29NQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CQyscbeN5f0KZltdaSyx3VQZZh8uHYoaKDmCZlFICjE/Gj3VHGIXQJOt5wNPFNGbmA.webp?size=large)

## 7 comments

### Matilda commented on 2024-09-20

Mine is doing the same thing because it’s rootbound itself- is yours due a repot?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/THCFwj0HrAQ1QM18ZLNGCRoCaKinbEiVKsGr363UwOg/NLx1d9hIQ4WVSq1rPaNUYA.webp?size=large)

#### Adrian replied on 2024-09-20

Thanks for answering! I repotted it about a month ago. Wasn’t rootbound, just wanted to give it a soil refresh and give it a chunkier mix. I just wanna make sure it’s nothing serious since I’ve got two other ficuses and quite a few jades in the same spot as it.

### plantmother commented on 2024-09-21

when mine was over watered (several times oops) the bottom leaves just fell off but there was no discoloration. is it in direct sun? whenever I see red my first thought is sun stress but i’m not sure if ficus does that

#### Adrian replied on 2024-09-21

It’s been in a south window for a little over a month. I bought it from a nursery that was keeping it in a greenhouse, so I figured it was pretty used to more light before I placed it in my south windowsill. I can definitely try to put it in a lower light window. So you don’t think it’s anything fungal or pest related?

#### plantmother replied on 2024-09-21

was this the oldest leaf? if so I definitely think it’s okay  
maybe just shedding an older leaf/looking for nutrients, do you fertilize? mine prefers an east facing window with more indirect light for most of the day.

#### Adrian replied on 2024-09-21

I don’t fertilize, and yes, it was one of the older leaves. Thanks for your help 😊 I just wanted to double check that it’s not something that can spread to my other plants. I’m going on a trip soon and was a little worried I was gonna come home to half of them contracting what this one had 😥

#### plantmother replied on 2024-09-21

I don’t think so!! looks like nutrient deficiency or too much sun to me

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