How To Care For A Rubber Tree Plant

Rubber Tree

General Care.
Sunlight. Thrives in medium to bright indirect light, and can tolerate bright direct light.
Water. Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. ...
Humidity. Any humidity level will do. ...
Temperature. 65°F-85°F (18°C-30°C). ...
Size. ...
Common Problems. ...
Precautions.

Do rubber plants need direct sunlight?

As the Ficus elastica likes to be in soil with a good amount of moisture, avoid placing it somewhere drying, such as near a drafty window or vent, heater, or in direct sunlight. Bright, indirect light is ideal for growing the Rubber Plant, however they are unusually tolerant of lower light spaces for a ficus.

How often should you water a rubber plant?

Rubber plants' water needs vary according to season: In the growing season (summer), the plant should be kept moist. This includes wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or even misting them. During the dormant season, your plant may only need water once or twice a month.

Why are the leaves falling off my rubber tree plant?

Light Change – A common reason for a rubber plant losing leaves is a change in the light. ... This lack of humidity can cause leaves falling off rubber tree plant. To correct this problem, mist the rubber tree plant daily or set the plant on a tray of pebbles filled with water to increase humidity.

What do you feed a rubber tree plant?

Place plants in bright, indirect light (if available) or grow outside with plenty of room to spread out in zones 10 to 12. Plant rubber plants in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. After a month, feed when plants are actively growing with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food.

Where should I place my rubber plant?

Light: Rubber plants prefer bright, indirect light that isn't too hot. Direct sunlight can result in scorched leaves. You can keep your rubber plant near a window with a sheer curtain to give it just the right amount of sunlight.

How do I know if my rubber plant is healthy?

Most water meters should read a 4 at optimum moisture levels. Rubber plants need to be checked weekly during the growing season. A good sign that you are overwatering is yellow leaves. At the first sign of yellowing, decrease watering slightly and healthy green, glossy leaves should appear.

How long does a rubber tree live?

In the wild, the rubber tree will grow to heights of 100 to 130 feet, and can live up to 100 years. Its most famous feature is the milky white sap, known as latex, which flows freely from the tree when a sliver of bark is removed.

How do I make my rubber tree bushy?

Whenever you prune a branch of the rubber plant, the plant will produce 2 or more new branches from the stump. This makes it easy to make your rubber plant thick and bushy. Keep pruning branches on the side of the plant until it's become as thick and bushy as you'd like.

How long do rubber plants live?

The plants live for hundreds of years, but take 7 years to be harvested for the first time. After those 7 years, it will produce sap for rubber for about 30 years or so. While it's still used for rubber production today, indoor gardeners grow it for two reasons: It's a beautiful and hardy houseplant.

Should I cut brown leaves off rubber plant?

Pruning - Remove occasional dry or dead leaves all year round, but save any major pruning for the spring and summer months. ... Cleaning - Take each leaf between two soft tissue cloths and wipe off the top to reveal a healthy shine. Do this at least once a month to keep away pests and help the plant soak in more light!

How do you save a dying rubber tree plant?

These include:

Over caring is a NO for rubber plant.
Water the plant without drowning the soil.
Water thoroughly i.e., drain the water from the drainage holes entirely so that no excess water remains in the soil.
Watering according to the season is essential.
More water required during summer as it the growing season.

Do rubber tree plants clean the air?

In addition to producing oxygen and eliminating air toxins, the rubber tree effectively removes mold spores and bacteria from the air (by up to 60%).

Do rubber plants like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are good for our rubber plants if used correctly. They are rich in nitrogen, which is one of the most crucial nutrients that our plants need.

Is rubber tree a lucky plant?

Rubber Plant. Mainly known for its austerity and auspiciousness in the wealth area, the rubber plant can be placed in any spot to prove beneficial. The plant has round leaves, regarded as symbolic of money and prosperity in Feng Shui. When placed in the home, the plant fosters fortune, abundance and increase in wealth.

When should you repot a rubber plant?

Repot the plants in late winter or early spring when the rubber tree is semi-dormant and less prone to transplant shock.

Place 3 to 4 inches of potting soil in the bottom of the new pot. ...
Water the soil in the old pot thoroughly, as moist soil helps with pot removal. ...
Set the plant into the new pot.

Is rubber plant good for home?

Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica) The rubber plant or rubber tree plant is one of popular Vastu plants. ... Vastu Shastra considers this plant as a very powerful indoors plant that brings good furniture, prosperity, and positivity to the family.

Is it good to keep rubber plant at home?

Rubber Plants are the best and easy-care houseplants as per Vastu and it has special mention in Vastu Shastra. ... The large leaves of the rubber plant can absorb the airborne chemicals and bacteria and break them down, making them harmless for your health.

Do rubber plants like to be root bound?

Rubber plant doesn't like to be root bound. Rootbound is a condition where the plants' roots have no more space to grow and expand. This can lead to stunted growth, droopy leaves, and lack of oxygen and water supply in the plant leading to various other issues.

How often do rubber plants grow new leaves?

As a general rule of thumb, rubber plants grow pretty slow under indoor lighting conditions. If the same plant is grown outside in better lighting conditions, then it can grow at a much quicker pace. However, if you have a healthy rubber plant, you can expect the growth of a new leaf every 3-4 weeks.

Do rubber plants attract bugs?

Rubber plants can attract bugs like fungus gnats, spider mites, and mealybugs.