Natural leaf aging
An occasional yellow lower leaf on a healthy rubber plant is completely normal.
Diagnosis
Natural leaf aging
What's happening
Rubber plants retire their oldest leaves to put energy into new growth at the top. If only one or two of the lowest, oldest leaves are yellowing and the rest of the plant looks glossy and green, nothing is wrong.
How to fix it
Snip the spent leaf off where it meets the stem if you prefer the tidier look, and carry on with your normal care. Just keep an eye out that the yellowing stays limited to the oldest leaves and doesn't start creeping up the plant.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Rubber Plant care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this