Ficus elastica, commonly called the rubber plant, is a tropical tree with large, oval leaves. This plant is native to Southeast Asia, so it is fond of warm temperatures and humid conditions. It is a member of the Moraceae fig family.
Rubber plants are beautiful houseplants because they help purify the air of pollutants and are tolerant of low light. Follow the tips in this article to grow a thriving rubber plant.
Check out these other plant care guides here
| Name | Ficus elastica Rubber plant, rubber fig, rubber bush, Indian rubber tree |
| Sunlight | Medium to bright indirect light |
| Water | Once every 1 to 2 weeks, allowing the soil to completely dry out between watering |
| Temperature | 65 – 85 °F (18 – 30 °C). Do not keep in temperatures below 55 °F (15 °C) or above 90 °F (32 °C) |
| Humidity | Medium to high humidity |
| Propagation | Cuttings |
| Toxicity | Toxic to dogs and cats |
Rubber Plant Care Guide
Rubber Plant Size & Growth
Rubber plants are capable of growing up to 50 feet (15 m) tall in their native habitats. As the plant grows to this height, it develops aerial roots to stabilize itself. However, as an indoor plant it will remain much smaller.
Learn more about aerial roots.
The shiny, oval leaves can grow 4 to 18 inches long (10 to 35 cm) and 2 to 6 inches wide (5 to 15 cm).
Once your rubber tree has grown to your desired height, you can trim the top off. You can also prune any unwanted branches to give the plant a fuller shape. The best time to prune is during the spring to summer months.
Rubber Plant Sunlight
Rubber plants thrive in medium to bright indirect light. An East or West facing window with a sheer curtain pulled over makes a great location for this houseplant.
Rubber plants tolerate low-light, but they grow at a slower rate and stay a smaller size than if they received more sun. Signs of inadequate sunlight include pale, fading leaves and spaced out stems. If you notice this, move the rubber plant closer to a window.
Rubber plants tolerate some direct sunlight, but extended exposure leads to leaf burn. Leaf burn will be brown, calloused spots on the leaves. When you notice sunburn, move the plant farther away from it’s light source. While the brown spots do not fade away, you can prevent new ones from appearing.
Rotate the plant every few days so that each side receives sunlight and grows evenly. Dust the leaves frequently so the plant remains clean and able to absorb sunlight optimally.
Rubber Plant Watering
Rubber plants prefer for their soil to dry out completely between watering. Water once every 1 to 2 weeks, keeping in mind that plants receiving more sun need to be watered more often.
The easiest way to check if the plant needs water is to stick a finger in the top layer of soil. If it is dry, water, and if it is still moist, wait a few more days.
When it is time to water, pour at the soil near the base of the plant until water leaks out of the drainage hole. Empty the saucer under the pot after watering so the plant does not have wet feet for too long.
Avoid misting the plant directly because large puddles of water sitting on the leaves leads to rot or fungal disease. If you do get some water on these areas, wipe it off with a tissue.
If you notice the leaves are curling and the soil is dry to touch, the plant may be under watered, so give it a long drink. On the other hand, if the leaves are curled and dropping while the potting mix feels wet, the plant is over watered. Allow the soil to dry out completely and keep the plant in a well-ventilated, sunny area to speed up the process.
Find out how to fix rubber plant leaves curling in more detail with this article.
Rubber plants require more water during the summer when they are actively growing compared to the winter when they are dormant.
Choosing the right soil
In addition to watering appropriately, Rubber plants need to be potted in the appropriate soil. Take a well-draining houseplant soil and mix in a few handfuls of perlite and orchid bark. This creates a good mix that reduces the risk of root rot.
Rubber Plant Ideal Temperature
Ficus elastica thrive in temperatures between 65 – 85 °F (18 – 30 °C). Avoid keeping the plant in temperatures lower than 60 °F (15 °C) because it could get damaged from the cold.
Humidity
Since rubber plants are native to tropical Asia, they enjoy high humidity. A humidifier helps keep your plant happy if the surrounding air is dry, especially during the winter. Keep the plant away from air-conditioning vents or drafty windows to avoid exposure to cold air.
Repotting Rubber Plants
Repot your rubber plant once every one to two years. Repotting is necessary when the plant becomes root bound and the roots begin poking through the soil. It is best to repot during the spring or summer time.
How to Repot
Choose a pot that is a one to two inches larger in diameter than the current one. Do not choose a pot that is too large because the excess soil retains too much water and drown the roots.
A terracotta pot with a drainage hole is a good choice to help prevent root rot.
Carefully remove the plant from the old pot and loosen the soil from the roots. With a clean pair of garden shears or scissors, prune any rotten or damaged roots.
Fill the new pot with fresh, well-draining potting soil. Place the root ball on top of the soil, then fill around the ball to secure the houseplant in place. Leave about an inch of space from the top of the rim for watering.
Wait a week after repotting before watering again to give the plant time to settle in it’s new home.
Rubber Plant Fertilization
Fertilize the rubber plant once a month from spring to summer with a diluted fertilizer. Fertilizer is not necessary during the winter when the growth slows.
Avoid fertilizing more often than that because the excess salts damage the roots. If this occurs, flush the soil thoroughly with water and refrain from fertilizing for a few months.
On the other hand, not fertilizing at all may lead to nutrient deficiency and discolored leaves.
Propagating a Rubber Plant
Propagate rubber plants by cuttings. This is a great way to grow new plants and shape up an old one at the same time. The best time to propagate rubber plants is during the spring to summer when the plant is actively growing.
- With clean scissors, cut a healthy branch off.
- Fill a vase with room temperature water. Place the new cutting in the vase and let it sit for a few weeks.
- Keeping the vase in a warm area with indirect light promotes growth.
- Change the water out frequently.
- Once there is new growth transfer the cutting to a small pot filled with fresh, well-draining soil and care for the plant as normal.
Rubber Plant Toxicity
Rubber plants are toxic to pets and children. The latex of rubber plants causes contact dermatitis with prolonged skin exposure, as well as stomach irritation if ingested. Keep the plant out of reach and wear gloves when handling.
Common Rubber Plant Care Problems
Rubber Plant leaves curling
Rubber plant leaves curl due to several reasons, including:
- New growth
- Dry air
- Bright light
- Over watering
- Under watering
- Pests
- Temperature extremes
- Cleaning products
Find out how to fix rubber plant leaves curling with this article.
Rubber plant growing leggy
If you notice the rubber plant is stretching out with large gaps in the stems, it is a sign that the plant is not receiving enough sunlight. If this occurs, move the plant closer to a window.
While the old growth will not shrink back, the new growth will be less spaced out.
Pests on rubber plant
Signs of infestation include: cotton-white webbing, discolored leaves, black or moldy spots, or distorted leaf shape.
If you notice any of these signs, closely inspect the plant, being sure to check the undersides of the leaves.
Remove an infestation by:
- Quarantining the plant so the bugs do not spread to other plants nearby.
- Wash the plant under a strong stream of water with soap.
- Spray the plant with diluted neem oil or rubbing alcohol. Spray every few days for several weeks.
Be patient! Pests take time to go away completely.
In summary for rubber plant care…
Rubber plants make wonderful additions to any home because of their tolerance of a wide range of conditions. Provide this rubber plant with bright indirect light, warm temperatures, and water when the soil is dry for it to thrive!
Have more questions about rubber plant care? Let me know in the comments below!
