---
title: "My rubber plant wasn’t doing well and when I’ve gone to check the…"
description: "My rubber plant wasn’t doing well and when I’ve gone to check the roots it’s popped right out of the pot and when running under water to see what’s happening…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg/U4KGa1LJQD-ptlE0LNVGAg"
community: "Propagating & Sowing"
author: "Sarah"
published: "2024-05-05T14:17:09.754319Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/L4t7CAjMOeR_rNp9bA-yNoNg9EV69NWXckkg_Dfx9sE/7SzkpEXFQfayxNL6jM1UFQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# My rubber plant wasn’t doing well and when I’ve gone to check the…

_Posted by Sarah on 2024-05-05_

My rubber plant wasn’t doing well and when I’ve gone to check the roots it’s popped right out of the pot and when running under water to see what’s happening I’ve got this left. I don’t want to put it back in soil as I won’t see if it’s growing roots so I want to know how it’ll do in water? Any tips/advice welcome.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/L4t7CAjMOeR_rNp9bA-yNoNg9EV69NWXckkg_Dfx9sE/7SzkpEXFQfayxNL6jM1UFQ.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### GreenLeaf commented on 2024-05-05

I would cut above the roots, let it harden for a day or two, and then put into water. Make sure you’ve got a few nodes on the stem.

#### Sarah replied on 2024-05-05

Ah ok so chop of the bottom root ball, let it dry out and then put it in water? Is that a node just below where my thumb is on the photo?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/L4t7CAjMOeR_rNp9bA-yNoNg9EV69NWXckkg_Dfx9sE/FXsdLJqzRzSuDn-GhJCmxg.webp?size=large)

### GreenLeaf commented on 2024-05-05

Yup! You can usually feel nodes along those rings on the stem. As long as you cut off anything mushy/rotten and have healthy tissue at the end you should be good :)  
You can also remove the lowest leaf to give yourself a few more nodes under the water to produce roots if you want. Just make sure it has at least 2-3 leaves left.

### Sarah commented on 2024-05-05

Thank you. The roots left are all firm so I may just remove the lowest leaf, leave it with 3 and take the plunge 🤞🏻

#### GreenLeaf replied on 2024-05-05

You can definitely try that!! Water roots and soil roots are different. So if you notice ANY decline in their quality I’d chop them asap and start fresh :)

#### Sarah replied on 2024-05-05

Ahh ok I get you. This was a rotten piece which fell off… maybe I’ll just chop and prop 😬

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/L4t7CAjMOeR_rNp9bA-yNoNg9EV69NWXckkg_Dfx9sE/x79hNsBgTaC88V1EROfKpA.webp?size=large)

#### GreenLeaf replied on 2024-05-05

I think thats probably your best bet. But do what you feel comfortable doing! Plants are an ever evolving experiment :)

#### Sarah replied on 2024-05-05

Thank you for all your advice! Think I’ll just go for it 🤞🏻

#### Sarah replied on 2024-05-06

The process has begun 😬 wish me luck! 🤞🏻

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/L4t7CAjMOeR_rNp9bA-yNoNg9EV69NWXckkg_Dfx9sE/coA-TjhOTiyUVaZqHZQ2PQ.webp?size=large)

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