Plant Guide
How To Care For a Rubber Fig
Ficus Elastica
Nickname : Rubber Fig, Rubber Tree
Rubber trees actually earn their nicknames from the sap that they produce, which is occasionally used to make rubber. The leaves also have a shiny, rubbery look so it just makes it all the more appropriate.
Rubber plants are seen mostly with their dark green variety, but also have a red sibling called Ruby Ficus which have a beautiful variegated red/green look to it.
Both are very popular among interior design blogs because of the attractiveness overall.
How to take care of Rubber Figs
Rubber Trees are easy to take care of and aren't fussy at all. Just be sure to give it bright, indirect light near a window and water it consistently - a bit more during the Summer season when it has accelerated growing.
The variegated ones actually need more light than the non variegated ones.
A good rule of thumb when watering is to make sure the soil is moist, but don't water too much. Whenever the soil feels dry to the touch, water a bit more and be sure to drain it out completely.
Although these plants are resilient, refrain from watering too much and just stick to the rule of thumb.
Humidity
30-40%
Average indoor home humidity
Light
Bright Without Direct Sun
Water
Water once the soil becomes slightly dry to the touch and make sure the pot has sufficient drainage holes to allow excess water to seep through. The worst thing you can do regarding watering is overwatering.
Temperature
60-75°F
Plant Food
Fertilizer isn't completely necessary for the survival of a Rubber plant, but if you want to achieve the large glossy leaves, then you will need to feed your plant. Various feeding routines will work for this plant, using your chosen fertilizer every few weeks or monthly during growing season.
Pests
Rubber Plant is susceptible to many common pests such as mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, root knot nematodes and thrips. Pathogen (fungal and bacterial) problems may also occur in the form of leaf spots, crown gall, twig dieback and Southern Blight.
Pet Toxicity
Toxic
Repotting
From May - June re-pot once the roots have become pot bound or every year when the plants are very young, and then once every 3 years after the plant has matured. I would renew the soil every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bright Without Direct Sun
Unlike a lot of houseplants, Rubber Trees actually prefer growing indoors and not in heavy direct sun. They like the room to be lit bright but not under direct sunlight.
Yes
Rubber trees are toxic to both dogs and cats.
The best thing to do when you've overwatered a Rubber Tree is to stop watering and relocate it to a place with a lot of sun so that you can dry out the soil. After that, you probably will want to inspect the roots for root rot and repot the plant.
Yes
Rubber Trees like to be misted, especially throughout the summer to keep the leaves nice and moist.