Plant 101 🌿 Greenery Essentials | Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) Care
The Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) is a stunning and beginner-friendly houseplant, celebrated for its bold, glossy foliage and upright growth habit. With the right care, it can quickly become the focal point of any room. Here’s how to keep your Rubber Tree lush, vibrant, and happy:
Light Conditions Rubber trees do best in bright, indirect light. An east-facing window or a few feet back from south or west exposures works beautifully. Signal to variegated types (like ‘Tineke’ or ‘Ruby’) they need even brighter light to keep their patterns lively, while solid green varieties handle slightly lower light. Rotate your plant every 1–2 weeks to promote even growth and maintain straight stems.
Watering Let the top 1–2 inches (2–5 cm) of soil dry out before giving another thorough watering. Ensure excess water drains away and never let the pot sit in stagnant runoff. Overwatering shows up as yellow lower leaves or a musty smell, while underwatering brings drooping or curling leaf edges. Use the finger test or rely on pot weight to guide you.
Soil Mix For ideal root health, use a light, well-draining soil mix. Think around 50–60% quality indoor mix, 20–30% perlite or pumice for drainage, and 10–20% fine orchid bark. A pinch of horticultural charcoal helps too - it refreshes the mix and reduces rot risks.
Humidity & Temperature Rubber trees love moderate humidity (45–60%) and warmth between 65–80 °F (18–27 °C). Keep them away from cold drafts or direct air blowing from vents. Monthly leaf cleaning with a damp cloth keeps the foliage glossy and functioning well.
Fertilizing Feed gently during spring and summer. A balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 4–6 weeks works well; alternatively, try a mild slow-release formula. Always pause feeding in winter - too much can burn leaf margins, especially on variegated varieties.
Pruning & Support To encourage a fuller silhouette, top the main stem above a node or use the “notching” method to trigger side branching. Tall Rubber Trees may benefit from a discreet stake for support. Wear gloves when pruning - the sap can be messy, latex-rich, and sticky.
Repotting & Refreshing Soil Repot every 1–2 years, or when roots circle heavily and watering becomes unpredictable. Upgrade the pot by just 1–2 inches (2–5 cm) to avoid waterlogging. Use a pot with good drainage and stick with that airy mix you prepared. Plant House & Garden
Propagation Stem cuttings: Take 6–8" pieces with 2–3 nodes. Root them in water or a damp mix under bright, indirect light. Air layering: Make a shallow cut below a node, insert a toothpick, wrap with moist sphagnum moss and plastic. Rooting visible? Cut and pot it up!
Common Issues & Fixes Leaf drop after moving - normal; stabilize light and humidity.
Brown leaf edges - often from dry air or salt buildup; increase humidity and flush the soil occasionally.
Variegation loss - typically from insufficient light.
Sticky residue - either latex sap or pest honeydew—inspect closely.
✨ In summary, a thriving Rubber Tree depends on bright, indirect light; evenly moist yet well-draining soil; and regular maintenance like pruning and leaf cleaning. With these simple habits, your Ficus elastica will bring beautiful, upright greenery to your space year-round.
Plant House & Garden
Plant 101 🌿 Greenery Essentials | Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) Care
The Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) is a stunning and beginner-friendly houseplant, celebrated for its bold, glossy foliage and upright growth habit. With the right care, it can quickly become the focal point of any room. Here’s how to keep your Rubber Tree lush, vibrant, and happy:
Light Conditions
Rubber trees do best in bright, indirect light. An east-facing window or a few feet back from south or west exposures works beautifully. Signal to variegated types (like ‘Tineke’ or ‘Ruby’) they need even brighter light to keep their patterns lively, while solid green varieties handle slightly lower light. Rotate your plant every 1–2 weeks to promote even growth and maintain straight stems.
Watering
Let the top 1–2 inches (2–5 cm) of soil dry out before giving another thorough watering. Ensure excess water drains away and never let the pot sit in stagnant runoff. Overwatering shows up as yellow lower leaves or a musty smell, while underwatering brings drooping or curling leaf edges. Use the finger test or rely on pot weight to guide you.
Soil Mix
For ideal root health, use a light, well-draining soil mix. Think around 50–60% quality indoor mix, 20–30% perlite or pumice for drainage, and 10–20% fine orchid bark. A pinch of horticultural charcoal helps too - it refreshes the mix and reduces rot risks.
Humidity & Temperature
Rubber trees love moderate humidity (45–60%) and warmth between 65–80 °F (18–27 °C). Keep them away from cold drafts or direct air blowing from vents. Monthly leaf cleaning with a damp cloth keeps the foliage glossy and functioning well.
Fertilizing
Feed gently during spring and summer. A balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 4–6 weeks works well; alternatively, try a mild slow-release formula. Always pause feeding in winter - too much can burn leaf margins, especially on variegated varieties.
Pruning & Support
To encourage a fuller silhouette, top the main stem above a node or use the “notching” method to trigger side branching. Tall Rubber Trees may benefit from a discreet stake for support. Wear gloves when pruning - the sap can be messy, latex-rich, and sticky.
Repotting & Refreshing Soil
Repot every 1–2 years, or when roots circle heavily and watering becomes unpredictable. Upgrade the pot by just 1–2 inches (2–5 cm) to avoid waterlogging. Use a pot with good drainage and stick with that airy mix you prepared.
Plant House & Garden
Propagation
Stem cuttings: Take 6–8" pieces with 2–3 nodes. Root them in water or a damp mix under bright, indirect light.
Air layering: Make a shallow cut below a node, insert a toothpick, wrap with moist sphagnum moss and plastic. Rooting visible? Cut and pot it up!
Common Issues & Fixes
Leaf drop after moving - normal; stabilize light and humidity.
Brown leaf edges - often from dry air or salt buildup; increase humidity and flush the soil occasionally.
Variegation loss - typically from insufficient light.
Sticky residue - either latex sap or pest honeydew—inspect closely.
✨ In summary, a thriving Rubber Tree depends on bright, indirect light; evenly moist yet well-draining soil; and regular maintenance like pruning and leaf cleaning. With these simple habits, your Ficus elastica will bring beautiful, upright greenery to your space year-round.
👉 For a deeper dive and visuals on each step, check out the full care guide here:
planthouseandgarden.com/rubber-tree-plant-care-gui…
Have any tips or questions about your own Rubber Tree experience? Share them below - I’d love to hear how yours is growing!
#RubberTreeCare #FicusElastica #Plant101 #HouseplantTips #IndoorPlants #PlantLovers
3 months ago | [YT] | 28