Table of Contents
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 trees need direct sunlight?
Bright, indirect light is ideal for growing the Rubber Plant, however they are unusually tolerant of lower light spaces for a ficus. To keep the plant happiest though, it is commonly recommended to place it by a southern facing window with sheer curtains for the brighter light to filter through.
How do you care for indoor rubber trees?
The rubber tree plant also needs the right balance of water. During the growing season, it needs to be kept moist and watered at least once a week. It is also a good idea to wipe off the leaves of your rubber tree houseplant with a damp cloth or spritz them with water.
Where should I place my rubber plant?
Rubber plants thrive with bright, indirect sunlight. Ideally, they should receive morning light from an east-facing window. Place your plant near a window where a sheer drape or curtain filters the light. Avoid placing your rubber plant in a spot that receives direct sunlight because the leaves can begin to burn.
How often should a rubber tree be watered?
Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Increase frequency with increased light.
How do I get more leaves on my rubber plant?
above a leaf scar (a line where a leaf previously grew) or a leaf node. You may nick or lightly slice the leaf scar with sharp pruners to further encourage a new leaf to grow there.
Will rubber tree leaves grow back?
Rubber plants do not regrow leaves from the lower parts of their stalks, only from the top. So there is no way to make a plant less leggy. To make your Rubber Plant appear fuller you’ll need to replant smaller stalks in the planter with the larger ones.
Why is my rubber plant dying?
The main reasons why your rubber plant might be dying are a change in light conditions, over or underwatering, dry air and pests.
Why are the leaves of my rubber plant falling off?
Light Change – A common reason for a rubber plant losing leaves is a change in the light. Humidity – Rubber tree plants need higher humidity. Houses can be dry, especially in the winter when the heat is on. This lack of humidity can cause leaves falling off rubber tree plant.
Can rubber plants survive in low light?
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) Where conditions permit, the rubber plant can reach ceiling height. It’s one of NASA’s standard houseplants for improving indoor air quality, too. Growing conditions: Ficus elastica tolerates less light than most other plants of its size, but is happiest in bright, reflected light.
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.
How do I know if my rubber plant needs water?
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.
Can I put my rubber tree plant outside in the summer?
About Rubber Plants They can grow to impressive heights within a few years, especially if you put the plants outside during the summer. Keeping the plants in small pots will restrict their growth, if you want to keep them smaller.
Are rubber plants easy to care for?
Rubber plant care is easy if you remember to keep an eye on your plant and honor its need for balance. Rubber plants are well worth the care if you’re looking to grow a tall houseplant to impress your guests.
What temperature do rubber plants like?
Rubber plants prefer bright light but are adaptable to low light. They grow best with the morning light from an east window. They do well in warm to average room temperatures. The ideal temperatures are 60 to 65 °F at night and 75 to 80 °F during the day.
What does an overwatered rubber plant look like?
If the older leaves (usually the largest ones, at the bottom) are becoming yellow or brown, that’s a sign of overwatering. Let it dry out fully during longer periods of time between waterings. If the yellow/brown spots are spreading from the inner part of the leaf and out, that’s again a sign of overwatering.
How do you revive a dying rubber plant?
Once you’ve determined the rubber tree plant is getting too much water, it’s time to revive the plant. Immediately stop watering the plant and allow the soil to dry. Do not water the plant again until the soil is dry to a depth of 1 inch. If you suspect root rot has set in, remove the plant from the pot and its soil.
Why are my rubber tree leaves turning yellow?
The most common cause of yellowing leaves among Rubber Trees is improper soil moisture–in particular, overwatering. Only water your Rubber Tree when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Soil should remain damp, but not wet. In the winter, you can allow your plant to dry out a little more between waterings.
