Question
I have a rubber plant that has been thriving until recently.  It is about 5feet high in a 12" pot.  the plant has become bare (a good two foot)in the middle with no leaves or branches. There are new shoots above and below the bare area.  Can i prune it, getting rid of the bare area.

Answer
Hi Marie,

It is a bit unusual for a rubber plant to lose leaves in the middle of stems. Typically, they lose lower leaves on stems as they add new leaves at the end of each stem. A photo sent to my address below would help me better understand what you are describing.

Any stem that is pruned back will put out new growth on that stem just below where you make the pruning cut. Thus, if you prune stems back to the center of the plant, then you will get new growth in that area.

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

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