Question
hi,
i have a rubber plant who has been so healthy and doing well for months. he
has indirect moderate sunlight and i water him whenever he seems dry. i was
away for four days and when i came back he had a brown spot about the size
of a quarter on one of his leaves. he wasn't terribly thirsty, his soil wasn't
totally dry, so i don't know what did it -- my boyfriend says he missed me.
but i am worried. could it spread? should i remove the leaf? i don't like it
aesthetically but i've read "the secret life of plants" and don't want to
"amputate" unless necessary.

advice?

Answer
Hi Thais,

A single spot on a single leaf is not a cause for concern. Nature is not perfect and plants have harmless imperfections just as people do. In addition, it is quite natural for plants to lose some of their older leaves as they add new ones. So it is quite possible that the spot will spread and that particular leaf may die.

There is no scientific evidence that pruning and removing leafs has an adverse effect on plants. But that is your choice.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]