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 plants 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.
Why are the leaves falling off my indoor rubber plant?
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.
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.
How often should you water a rubber plant?
Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Increase frequency with increased light.
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.
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.
When should I repot my rubber plant?
You should repot your rubber plant when it becomes root-bound and the roots fill the entire pot. Or when you see the roots growing through the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot. To prevent root rot, use a well-draining potting soil. Even better if you mix in some perlite, sand or vermiculite.
How do I make my rubber plant bushy?
Pruning A Rubber Plant to Promote Bushiness Step 1: Make a plan. Step back and observe your rubber plant. Step 2: Remove any branches which seem out of place. Step 3: Cut to your desired height. Step 4: Encourage leaf coverage by pruning often. Step 5: Propagate new cuttings back into the pot.
Will rubber plant 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.
Can rubber plants grow leaves?
Native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, rubber trees (Ficus elastica) can be readily propagated by stem or leaf cuttings. Every time a stem is cut, it encourages branching, which eventually leads to a fuller-looking plant.
Do rubber plants like coffee grounds?
Although coffee grounds can have an instant positive effect on rubber plants, as beneficial microorganisms in the soil use it to produce nitrogen, too much of it will actually kill those same microbes. Instead of using coffee grounds you should feed a rubber plant with an appropriate fertilizer.
Why are rubber plant leaves curling?
Improper watering – Both over- and under-watering can cause leaf curl on rubber plants. Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering, then water deeply, using room temperature water, until water leaks through the drainage hole. Low humidity – Indoor rubber tree plant leaves curling may be a result of dry indoor air.
How often do rubber plants grow new leaves?
I depends on light and temperature. IMO. Mine put out a new leaf every 3-4 weeks while in direct sun in a southern window, but now in an west facing window with lower temps, no new leaf in past 8 weeks. I am actually happy for that because the summer growth is nice healthy and compact.
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.
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.
Should I mist a rubber plant?
As a native to the tropics, your Rubber Tree will appreciate you misting its leaves to increase humidity—especially when it gets very warm in the summer. Misting regularly also helps to keep mites (damaging insects) from making themselves at home on the leaves.
Why are the leaves on my rubber plant 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.
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.
