What are we doing wrong with our rubber plant? (lemmy.zip)

submitted 22 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) by weddingcrasher@lemmy.zip to c/houseplants@mander.xyz

8 comments fedilink hide all child comments

It started dropping its lowest leafs a few weeks ago, then it stopped, now the bottom leafs are getting yellow again and i suppose will be dropped…

edit: Thanks everyone for responding, i will try to atering less and placing in a brighter spot

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] Jackinopolis@sh.itjust.works 3 points 18 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago)

Assuming it's this Baby Rubber Plant, you probably have root rot. Best bet is to move it to a warmer spot and avoid watering it for a bit and hope it dries out and recovers itself.

It looks like this is a commercial plastic pot inside of a decorative pot; it's impossible to tell if it still has water and you probably overwatered. The best bet is to repot it (ignoring the advice above), cut out some of the rotten roots, and move to a new pot with a drainage hole and a watering tray. If you want to replace the soil, get some perlite/pumice (those white rocks) for the potting mix. 1 part to 1-3 part potting soil should be fine. This stuff keeps air in the soil, keeping it dryer while also lowering soil compaction (a separate issue you may find in ~2-5 years).

Repot this plant if you're looking for a learning experience, otherwise buy a fresh plant with a draining pot / repot from the get go. I have not repotted for root rot yet, I usually opt to get a new plant and set up drainage in the first dormant season (fall/winter).

this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2026

52 points (100.0% liked)

Houseplants

6591 readers

185 users here now

Welcome to /c/houseplants @ Mander.xyz!

In between life, we garden.

About

We're a warm and informative space for plant enthusiasts to connect, learn, and flourish together. Dive into discussions on care, propagation, and styling, while embracing eco-friendly practices. Join us in nurturing growth and finding serenity through the extraordinary world of houseplants.

Need an ID on your green friends? Check out: !plantid@mander.xyz

Get involved in Citizen Science: Add your photo here to help build a database of plants across the entire planet. This database is used by non-profits, academia, and the sciences to promote biodiversity, learning and rewilding.

Rules