The huge, glossy, emerald-coloured leaves and remarkable growth rate of the Rubber Plant (Ficus elastic), sometimes called the Rubber Tree, make it a popular houseplant.
If given the right care, this tropical plant can reach a height of over six feet indoors in a few years, or up to 100 feet in its natural habitat. All-year-round warmth is a requirement for rubber trees, which flourish in temperate regions.
Beautiful and low-maintenance houseplants are rubber plants. Our extensive care guide explains every aspect of cultivating Ficus elastica!
Rubber Plant Overview
| Common Name | Rubber fig, rubber bush, Indian rubber bush |
| Scientific Name | Ficus elastica |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Height & Spread | 3-12 feet tall |
| Light | Bright, indirect light |
| Soil | well drained potting soil |
| Pests & Diseases | Fungus gnats, spider mites, root rot, botrytis, powdery mildew |
How to Grow Rubber Plant
This plant requires a lot of light, so growing it indoors in colder climates is more difficult than growing it outdoors in tropical regions. Rubber trees should work well for most ceiling heights because indoor specimens typically reach a height of 10 feet or more.
Keep in mind that fully grown plants can spread out up to three feet in width when choosing where to plant. Check out our little variants, such as Ficus elastica congesta, if you adore the appearance of rubber plants but lack the necessary room.
Rubber Plant Care
You’ve decided to take care of a rubber plant at home. Let’s talk about caring for rubber plants both indoors and outdoors.
Soil
A basic potting mix that drains effectively is ideal for rubber tree houseplants. When growing your rubber plant indoors, make sure it has a good-quality container with plenty of drainage holes. The best mixture for your rubber plant is one part pine bark, one part sand, and one part peat moss.
This also applies to outdoor growth. To guarantee proper drainage, amend the planting spot’s soil with the appropriate nutrients and aeration. It is necessary to loosen up compacted areas and apply drainage-enhancing materials like farm sand or perlite. Ficus elastic grows best in acidic soil with a pH of 5 to 7, not in poor-quality soil.
Sunlight
Rubber plants require six to eight hours of bright, indirect light per day to flourish. They can thrive a few feet away from a south- or west-facing window or in an east-facing window.
They can tolerate moderate early sunlight, but excessive afternoon sunlight should be avoided since it may scorch the foliage. Without enough light, plants will grow lanky and lose their bottom leaves.
They can also lose their shiny, colourful foliage to drab ones. To maintain consistent growth, give your plant a quarter-round rotation once a month.
Watering
Rubber plants do not like standing water; they prefer steady wetness. They have a low threshold for drought. Using your finger, determine the amount of moisture in the first few inches of soil as opposed to watering according to a set schedule.
You will need to water your plant again if the soil appears dry and crumbly. Keep in mind that because it grows more slowly in the winter, your plant won’t require as much watering.
Temperature and Humidity
The ideal growing conditions for rubber trees are mild to warm temperatures, between 65°F and 85°F, and moderate humidity, between 40 and 50 percent.
Consider placing a tiny humidifier next to your plant if the area is really dry, or group it with other houseplants in an enclosed area to create a more humid microclimate. These plants, like other focus species, are susceptible to cold drafts.
In the winter, keep them away from cold windows and doors. If leaves spend an extended amount of time in temperatures below 50°F, they may first become yellow, then brown, and then fall off entirely.
Fertilizer
When the rubber tree is growing, fertilizer should be applied every two weeks to once a month. It is not advisable to fertilize during the dormant season because it could cause issues with moisture and root retention.
The best way to stimulate new root growth in young trees is to apply a half-strength solution of an organic, high-phosphorus liquid fertilizer. Seek out an item with an NPK of 24:8:15.
Stronger plants benefit from nitrogen fertilizers applied at the same rate without diluting them. Because Espoma indoor liquid fertilizers offer the proper ratios and concentrations of nutrients, they work well for this purpose.
Pruning
You can prune an indoor plant to promote bushier growth, even though it’s not required. Since latex sap can irritate skin, always wear gloves and other clothing when doing this. Remove any dead or diseased leaves or branches from indoor plants at all times of the year. This law also applies to trees that are outside.
If you happen to inherit the outdoor rubber plant, though, you may try to remove any suckers that grow around the rubber tree and put in a root barrier. In both indoor and outdoor settings, cut your tree slightly above a leaf node to encourage new growth. Simple cuts stop the disease from getting in and cause fewer problems for your rubber plant as a whole.
Propagation
You can clip off the cuttings from your rubber plant’s trimmings to create new rubber trees. Take off all the leaves, save the one on the stem cutting, and then roll the leaf into a cylinder with the waxy side facing outward. Next, cover it with a rubber band to keep it in place.
Stems should be submerged in rooting hormone before being placed in small pots with a potting mix similar to that used for indoor rubber plants. Cut through the stem around halfway through with a budding knife or sterile pruning shears. Use a dabbing motion to remove any leaking sap. After that, encircle the wound with moist moss and cover it with plastic wrap.
If the moisture content doesn’t change, roots should begin to show in two to three weeks. Place the stem in your preferred focal potting soil and leave it exposed to the sun.
Place the stem in your preferred focal potting soil and leave it exposed to the sun. If you have a healthy Ficus elastica, you can generate more by packing damp moss over additional stems while the tree is actively growing.
Potting and Repotting Rubber Plant
Rubber plants can develop rapidly in the correct circumstances. It could be necessary to repot a quickly growing plant each year until it reaches the desired height.
Rubber plants don’t mind being a little bit pot-bound, but when roots start to emerge from the soil’s surface or grow out of the holes in the pot, it’s time to repot. Select a pot for repotting that is no more than three inches bigger in diameter than the old one.
Troubleshooting
Rubber plant maintenance is generally low; however, there could be some problems. Let’s talk about some common problems and precautions to take when taking care of rubber plants.
Growing Problems
There are several reasons why green leaves could become brown. Rubber plant leaves that are crisp and brown need protection from intense light. Brown-textured, wet leaves could indicate overwatering or fertilizer burn. Take off any of the rubber plant’s damaged leaves. Once completely dry, the soil for rubber plants can be fertilized and watered again according to a modified timetable.
Falling or drooping leaves could be a sign of any of the problems already mentioned. Carefully examine which of these might be the reason for the decline in leaves on your rubber tree and make any necessary corrections. Naturally, falling leaves might also be a sign of pest problems.
Pests
Fungus gnats usually inhabit plants with high moisture content. You might have to deal with rubber tree houseplants if they invade your home. Apply diluted neem oil to the surrounding soil to deter hatched larvae from feeding on the roots of your rubber plant, or treat the area with nematodes.
Spider mites are tiny insects that surround the leaves and branches of rubber plants with dense webs while feeding on plant sap. If you see them, remove them from the leaves by gently wiping them with a moist cloth. Then, to get rid of any leftover mites and stop more infestations, lightly spritz the area with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Diseases
Rubber plants are indeed susceptible to some illnesses. Rubber plants are susceptible to root rot, especially if they have been overwatered or are houseplants in poorly draining soil. Fungi that cause root rot to flourish under these conditions. It could be necessary to discard the rubber tree plant and start again if the trunk or base is soft.
The fungus Botrytis cinerea is the cause of blight. Spores spread by the wind are typically the source of this illness. Your indoor rubber plants may come into contact with it through other plants or polluted soil. The rubber tree plant’s young leaves are the first to become infected. In environments where botrytis flourishes, a copper fungicide may be able to stop the illness.
Rubber plants also have to contend with powdery mildew, which grows best in cool, moist environments. Your rubber tree plant’s leaves appear to have white patches on them. Selective pruning will improve the plant’s breathing and get rid of any diseased areas. Regular applications of neem oil spray can also help prevent the illness.
FAQ
Does my rubber plant need to be misted?
A rubber plant can thrive with 40–50 percent humidity, but misting is not necessary. To get rid of any dust buildup, it’s also a good idea to periodically wipe off the leaves with a moist towel.
In what area of my home should I put a rubber plant?
Make sure your rubber plant receives enough bright, indirect light rather than standing in the direct sun.
How can I know whether my rubber plant is happy?
Rubber plants that are happy and healthy will develop quickly and have beautiful, deep green leaves.