Rubber plants seem like they would be difficult to care for , but they ’re actually very easy . you could originate them alfresco as a prominent tree or shrub , and they also make a wonderful indoor plant .
In this elaborated guide I ’ll show you all you postulate to know about how to care for Ficus elastica , so you’re able to enjoy your rubber plant for many years to come .
I ’ve included everything from lachrymation and sunlight , to soil , pruning , repotting , fertilizing , pest control , propagation , troubleshooting common problem , and much more .
‘Black Burgundy’ rubber tree plants
tabular array of Contents
Quick Rubber Plant Care Overview
Information About Rubber Plants
The rubber works ( Ficus elastica , aka : rubber tree ) is a fellow member of the Ficus genus , which includes many other democratic plant , like thefiddle leafage figand cry fig .
Native to India and Southeast Asia , rubber plants can spring up to be over 50′ tall trees in the tropic rainforest .
As a houseplant , they delay relatively low by comparison . But they can still become quite orotund indoors , and will proceed to grow as you move them into bigger container .
Types Of Rubber Plants
There are several types of gumshoe tree plants that you could choose from , and they all require the same fear . These days , there are cultivar that have even more beautiful foliage than the aboriginal build .
There are also dwarf versions , which are smaller and more compact . The variegate varieties are especially collide with when you place them next to the ones with solid - colored leaves . Here are a few of my favorites :
Related Post : How To Grow Plants Indoors : The Ultimate Guide
Rubber Plant Benefits
Not only are rubber trees very soft to turn , they have other welfare too . Just as the name suggests , the saphead from the plant can be used for constitute gum elastic .
It ’s also an first-class naturalair purify houseplant . In a leaning compiled by NASA , this one was found to have the high capacity to clean toxins out of the air travel than any other indoor industrial plant .
Toxicity
Rubber works are toxic to darling ( see theASPCA plant listfor more data ) , and the sap can cause cutis botheration .
So if you have big cat , dogs , or little children around , then it ’s best to keep this one out of reach . And always moisten your men after pruning or read clipping .
How To Grow Rubber Plants
Before we get into the detail of rubber eraser works care , it ’s important to read a few things about how to grow them . The first step for success is to choose the best environment . Here ’s how to figure it out :
Hardiness
Even though they are unremarkably sell as houseplants , rubber plants are actually sensitive evergreen perennial trees . They can live outside year around in zona 10 or high .
Though they are hardy down to 35 ° F , they favour warm temperatures . So , if you live in a colder climate , be certain to take yours back indoors before it gets below 50 ° F out of doors , or it may suffer from the transition .
Where To Grow Rubber Plants
Most mass will have the honorable success grow safety trees as indoor houseplants . They do well in a container that has drainage .
But you could put them outside during the summer to relish in the humidity and warmth . Just be certain to keep them out of the full sun .
They make fantabulous patio plants , and you could even turn them in your annual garden if you do n’t desire to wreak them indoors .
If you do live in a ardent enough climate , plant them in your garden in a location that has fast draining soil . And be trusted to give them plenty of elbow room to arise , they are trees after all .
Rubber Plant Care & Growing Instructions
Watering
The big mistake mass make with growing synthetic rubber flora is overwatering them . However , they do not like to dry out completely either .
It ’s best to water them evenly and consistently , especially during the summer . reserve the filth to dry out 2″ cryptical between drinks , it should never feel overly stiff or soggy .
An inexpensivemoisture probemakes it simple to give your industrial plant the perfect amount of water system , keep the standard of measurement version between 3 - 5 .
Light Requirements
Outside , rubber trees rise well in fond tint or dappled sun . They can handle more lineal exposure in cool clime . But it ’s best to keep them out of the full sun in spicy , wry regions , or the leaves could burn .
As an indoor plant , they enjoy a berth near a south - facing window with pot of vivid , indirect Inner Light . They do n’t like it too hot , so be sure to move yours out of the sunny window during the summer .
Though they can adjust to lower light conditions indoors , arctic flora will become leggy if it ’s too sullen . If that starts to happen with yours , then move it to a brighter billet , or addgrow luminosity .
Fertilizer
Part of what progress to a rubber plant so easy to care for is that they are n’t heavy birdfeeder . So you do n’t have to occupy about giving them the perfect amount of fertilizer .
Start feed in other spring to cause new growth , and stay on through the summertime . Apply a water - soluble plant food once a month . Ageneral aim oneor acompost teaboth work great .
Otherwise you could addslow - release granulesa few time during the growing time of year , if you prefer . Just be indisputable to stop feed in late summertime , and do not feed your industrial plant during the fall and winter .
Repotting
Rubber trees enjoy being a petty pot - bound , which means that they like to have their roots crowd within the container . However , keep them in the same pot for too long will stunt their growth .
So , if you desire your works to get magnanimous , it ’s a good approximation to repot it once it has outgrown the container . Choose a spate that ’s one or two sizes larger , and check that it has drainage hole in the bottom .
They do n’t love to be repotted though , so do n’t do it unless it ’s absolutely necessary . And do not be surprised if your rubber industrial plant looks wilted for a couple of days or hebdomad afterward , just maintain the same precaution .
Soil
Choosing the best soil for golosh plant life is middling simple . Just purchase astandard potting mixthat allows for good drainage .
Rubber Tree are very broad to a broad variety of soil conditions . However it does take to be well debilitate to forestall antecedent bunk .
So , if you tend to overwater , or the soil hold too much moisture , then supply someperliteorpumiceinto the mix to improve drainage .
Cleaning
Due to their with child surface orbit , the leaves can become dust-covered and dingy pretty quickly . This not only looks speculative , but it can also conquer levelheaded increase .
So it ’s important to cleanse them as a part of your regular gumshoe works care procedure . you’re able to but use a moist cloth to gently wipe the leave .
Do not employ waxes or folio polishes though . These mathematical product can clog the pore and restrict proper air exchange .
Pest Control
Pests are n’t usually a significant problem , especially when you care for your rubber flora properly . But sometimes aphids , wanderer tinge , or mealybugs can aggress them .
If yours becomes invade , you could gently wash off the leave-taking with anorganic insecticidal soap(or make your own using 1 teaspoonmild liquid soapto 1 liter of water ) .
For a refractory infestation , I recommend usingneem crude . pick up to get disembarrass of bugs on your plants here .
Pruning
To make a rubber plant bushy and maintain the size and shape , you could prune it regularly . The best time to do it is in the spring or summertime , but you may move out all in or expire leaves at any time .
Always usesharp prunersto avoid damage the stem . Be careful though , it can be a mo messy , since the white sap will dribble out of the wound . So indoors you may need to lay a towel under the plant to protect the base .
Also , it ’s a good estimate to wearglovesandeye trade protection , since the sap can be a pelt irritant – and you definitely do n’t want to get it in your eye .
Rubber Plant Propagation Tips
It ’s reasonably easy to propagate rubber plant . Take stem cuttings that are several inches long and have a few leaf knob on them .
Remove the lower leaves and dip the prow intorooting hormonebefore pose it into a tummy filled with moist filth . You could also try settle down them in water .
Either way , keep them in a vivid , tender emplacement and watch for source . They should begin forming in 3 - 4 calendar week . hold off until the roots are 3 - 4″ long before potting them up .
Troubleshooting Rubber Plant Care Problems
The most frustrating part about gumshoe plant care is when your baby becomes sick , and you do n’t make love why . To help oneself you troubleshoot , here are some common problems , and the solutions .
Leaves Dropping Off
When the leave of absence drop or diminish off of your natural rubber tree plant , it ’s commonly from overwatering . But it can also happen from under watering , low humidity , or microbe .
Ensure the stain is not wet or bone dry , and scrutinize the leaves for pest . Indoors , mist them on a regular basis or use ahumidifierif the air is too dry .
Drooping Leaves
When a rubber tree droops or wilts , that normally means it ’s not have enough H2O . But it could be from graft shock , which is normal .
check the soil stays consistently moist , and never becomes os dry . If it ’s from repotting , forget your flora where it is and maintain proper ground moisture until it recover .
Leggy Rubber Plant
If they do n’t get enough light , rubber tree will grow tall and leggy . To keep your plant bushy , move it to a brighter location or add together agrow lightindoors , or relocate it to a sunnier billet outside .
Prune off the leggy emergence to boost branching , and trim it on a steady basis to keep it compact and full .
Yellow Leaves
yellow is almost always cause by overwatering , but it could also be a sign that your rubber works needs to be repot into a expectant container .
Allow the soil to dry 2″ deep between tearing . If it ’s completely pot - tie up , move it to a prominent container .
Brown Leaves
When the leaves deform brownish , it ’s usually have by either over or under watering . In some instance , it could be due to erythema solare , or extreme red-hot or cold temperatures .
If the leave come out to fade , turn lily-white , or face like they ’re incinerate , then it ’s probably getting too much sun . Move it to a topographic point where it will get indirect bright Christ Within . Always hold the dirt to check that you ’re water properly .
FAQs
Yes , when give the proper care , natural rubber plants are very fast - growing . They can get a infantry or more each yr .
Spring is the best fourth dimension for repotting arctic tree plants . But only repot it when it has become source - stick to , and is no longer arise larger . They do n’t love to be repotted , and ordinarily wilt for several day afterward .
Yes , you dead can grow your rubber plant outdoors , they are hardy in zona 10 + . In cool areas , bring them back indoors before freezing temperatures arrive in the fall . you could even plant them in your garden if you live somewhere warm enough .
Rubber plant care is n’t difficult once you get the hang of it . With relatively minimum maintenance , you will be able to love this large plant as a strickle accession to your indoor home decor , or outside as a tree in your garden .
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