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

submitted 10 hours ago by weddingcrasher@lemmy.zip to c/houseplants@mander.xyz

7 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…

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

[-] The_v@lemmy.world 8 points 6 hours ago

Yellow leaves on the bottom of the plant is the most common sign of nitrogen deficiency.

This can be caused by lack of nitrogn availability or other things limiting the uptake of nitrogen into the plant.

Overwatering: too much water can create anaerobic conditions (No oxygen). Bacteria in the soil convert ammonia and nitrate to N2 gas.

Any disease effecting the root. This includes fungal and bacterial root rots. Letting the pot dry outcan help reduce the pressure.

Other species that feed on the roots. Fungus gnats, nematodes, and many more things can feed on the roots.

[-] noride@lemmy.zip 4 points 6 hours ago

This is correct. Yellowing leaves starting at the bottom and working their way up is nitrogen, which is a mobile nutrient and can be moved from old leaves (bottom) to new (top) in order to support growth.

Root rot was suggested elsewhere in the thread but that typically presents with browning of leaves with no specific locality.

this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2026

47 points (100.0% liked)

Houseplants

6591 readers

61 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