Rubber plants are easy to care for and can grow quickly in the right conditions. It is a big indoor plant with thick and large leaves that are deep green or green with a creamy shade. The rubber plant prefers indirect light but does best in a bright place, such as an east-facing spot. When the rubber plant grows in soil and sunlight, its height can reach up to 10 feet. However, when it grows in water, it takes many days to grow. The shiny, leathery leaves give this plant a distinct look, making it perfect for room decoration. I like it so much. I am sharing with you some special caring tips for the rubber plant from my own experience:
| Common Name | Rubber Plant |
| Botanical Name | Ficus elastica |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Plant Type | Evergreen perennial |
| Mature Size | 6-10 feet indoors, up to 100 feet outdoors |
| Sun Exposure | Bright, indirect light |
| Soil Type | Well-draining potting soil |
| Soil pH | 5.5-7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Bloom Time | Rarely blooms indoors |
| Flower Color | greenish |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets and humans if ingested |
Light
Light is very important for your plant because through light, a plant makes its own food. Also, light will help your plants grow well and stay healthy. The rubber plant prefers bright light but not direct and too hot. The amount of light your tree needs depends on how much light your plant requires. You already know that the rubber plant needs indirect bright light but not too hot. So, you should place your plant in a bright place where sunlight comes in indirectly. Direct sunlight will burn your plant’s leaves. Therefore, you can place your plant in the corner of your living room, office room, or an east-facing window. If you have no bright indirect place, no problem. The rubber plant can also stay in low light, but it grows better in bright, indirect light than in low light. So, try to place it in a bright, indirect spot.
Soil
Soil is another important element for plants. Rubber plants prefer all types of soil but must be well-drained. There are two types of soil you can use for your rubber plant: medium-weight soil and lightweight soil. If you use medium-weight soil, you will set the plant in direct sunlight. Since the rubber plant needs indirect sunlight, you shouldn’t use medium-weight soil. On the other hand, if you use light soil, you will set the plant in an indirect light place. For this reason, lightweight soil is best for rubber plants. You can also use some potting mix soil, which contains minerals and helps your plant improve drainage.
Water
Not all plants accept the same quantity of water. The plants that live in water need a lot of water, but the plants that live in the soil take a smaller quantity of water. The rubber plant is a soil-based plant, so it needs a small quantity of water. You should water your plant sparingly. Rubber plants need water every day in summer. In winter, you can water your plant every 1 or 2 days. Finally, it can be said that many plants die from overwatering, so you must be careful about it.
Fertilizer
Rubber plants need fertilizer for their growth and to help them look good. Three types of fertilizers are essential for rubber plants: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen helps plants grow well, keeps them healthy, and promotes root growth. Potassium helps your plant fight against disease, pests, and insects. Phosphorus is not only beneficial for flowering plants but also gives you a bigger, healthier plant and promotes root growth. There are two types of fertilizer: slow-release and water-soluble fertilizers. Both are great for plants, so you can easily use one of them. You must know that fertilizing is not ideal in the winter season because winter is the resting time for plants. The growing seasons are best for fertilizing, which are summer and spring. You should use fertilizer once a month. Be careful about fertilizing because too much fertilizer is harmful to plants.
Pruning
The taller the rubber plant, the more beautiful it will look, so there is no need to prune it further. If you want to prune your plant, remove yellow leaves and damaged leaves from your plant. You can also cut the damaged stems and the stems that are much taller than the other stems. Always wear gloves when you prune your plant because this plant contains white sap which is harmful to your skin.
Propagation
Propagating rubber plants is very easy. To propagate your rubber plant, choose a healthy stem, cut it, and put it in the soil. Then set the pot in indirect light. After 1 or 2 weeks, you will see the plant’s roots. Then you can place the stems in your favorite spot.
Yellow Leaves
Sometimes, the rubber plant’s green leaves turn yellow. Excessive amounts of overwatering and over-fertilizing cause the yellowing of leaves. So, stop fertilizing and overwatering when your plant’s green leaves turn yellow in excessive amounts.
Lose Luster
Suddenly, you may see that your lovely rubber plant loses its luster. This is not normal. Check your care list and see which care steps you have missed. If you placed your plant in a low-light spot, move it to a bright, indirect light place for a few hours each day. Stop overwatering, underwatering, and fertilizing. Make sure to provide the perfect temperature and humidity. Finally, take care of the plant according to the rules.
Pests and Insects
Rubber plants are usually free from pests and insects because the rubber plant has white sap in its leaves and stems. For this reason, pests and insects avoid rubber plants. So, you are free from worrying about pests and insects.
Finally, it can be said that rubber plants are easy to care for. They grow quickly with little care. For these reasons, you can easily enjoy the beauty of rubber plants and make your house a little forest.
