Question
While on a 1 week vacation, I let a relative water my 3 foot tall rubber plant (it has many big green leaves on it).  Now that I am back, it is emitting a strange, foul pungent odor (smells like a sewer).  What is going on?  What can I do to make this odor go away, without killing my plant?  Do I have something growing in the soil?  Is my plant about to die.  The leaves still look like they did before I left.  However, this odor is definitely new and was not present before I left.

Answer
Hi Latosha,

Either your relative added something other than plain tap water to the soil or overwatered the plant to the point that the roots are now rotting.

If the pot does not have drainage holes, then you will have to pull the plant out of its pot and move it to a pot that does have drainage holes. Be sure to allow the top third of the soil to dry out before you add any water.

If you suspect something other than water was added to the soil, then flush lots of plain water through the soil to remove the foreign substance.

Finally, the addition of several tablespoons of lime will help eliminate the odor.

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.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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