Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) Indoor Care, Common Growing Problems and Solutions
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) is an easy-care plant which flourishes in bright light with some direct sunlight, average warmth, humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Ficus elastica also called Rubber Fig, Rubber Tree, Rubber Bush, Indian Rubber Tree or Indian Rubber Bush is a popular, large plant and a great statement plant that easily adapts to indoor growing conditions.
The Ficus of earlier days had narrow, drooping leaves and a rather fussy nature but it has been replaced by a number of larger leaved varieties.
Indian Rubber Tree has a higher tolerance to drought conditions than most Ficus plants varieties but it prefers warm and humid conditions.
Botanical name: Ficus elastica
Family: Moraceae
Common names: Rubber Plant, Rubber Fig, Rubber Tree, Rubber Bush, Indian Rubber Tree, Indian Rubber Bush
Origin
Ficus elastica is native to Eastern parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia. It has been naturalized in Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and the US state of Florida.
Size
Rubber Plants grow to a height of 6-10 ft when grown indoors. It is a perfect tree-like plant for the home.
Air Cleaning
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Ficus elastica was found to clean indoor air of formaldehyde.
Varieties
There are many varieties of Rubber Tree like Ficus elastica 'Decora', Ficus elastica 'robusta' (Bronze Rubber Plant), Ficus elastica 'Black Prince', Ficus elastica 'Tineke', Ficus elastica 'Shivereana' among others. Here are 9 types of Rubber Plants with pictures and care guides.
Toxicity
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) is toxic to humans and pets according to Pet Poison Helpline.
The plant produces a milky white latex which is an irritant to the eyes and the skin.
If ingested it can cause irritation in the mouth, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and abdominal pains.
Where to Buy
Do you want to add Rubber Plants to your plant collection? These plants are available online.
Buy Rubber Plants from Etsy Shops
Rubber Plant Care Indoors
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) blossoms in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-280C, moderate room humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Ficus elastica requires regular pruning to keep it neat and also encourage a bushy growth. Repotting is only needed when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
How to water Rubber Plant
Water Rubber Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to leaf drop and root-rot.
Use tepid, chlorine-free water to water Rubber Fig to avoid spots on the leaves. Learn more on how to water houseplants correctly.
Light Requirements
Rubber Plant grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct morning or late afternoon sunlight.
Rubber Tree can adapt to lower light but it will grow much slower. However, the variegated Rubber Plants require bright light to maintain the variegation.
For uniform growth, turn the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides.
Ficus elastica also does well under a grow light where natural lighting is inadequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature for growing Rubber Plant indoors is an average warmth within the range of 15-280C. Keep it away from cold and hot drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature as it can lead to leaf drop.
Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. However, if the air is too dry especially where the temperature is too high the plant responds with brown, dry leaf tips and edges.
To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a bathroom, kitchen and other humid areas in the home. Learn more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pest infestations.
Potting Mix
Rubber Plant potting mix should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.
Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant. Buy quality potting mix from Amazon.
Fertilizer
Feed Rubber Plant monthly during the growing period with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for lush growth.
Withhold feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Repotting
Repot Rubber Plant at the beginning of the growing season only when it has become pot-bound. Avoid frequent repotting as it prefers to be pot-bound.
Repot only when it has outgrown its current pot; when roots begin to grow through the drainage holes.
Use a pot 1 size larger and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Use a heavy pot as the plant can become top-heavy and topple over. Take a look at these ceramic pots available on Amazon.
Never allow the roots to sit in soggy soil as it may lead to leaf drop and root-rot which may result in the death of the plant.
For large Rubber Plants which may be difficult to handle, annually replenish the top 2-4 in. of soil with fresh soil.
Pruning
Pruning Rubber Plant is easy. Remove the dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and also discourage pests and diseases.
When Rubber Fig has reached maximum height or it has become leggy, cutback the branches with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors to rejuvenate growth. The foliage emanating from pruning can be used to propagate new plants.
Propagation
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) can be propagated during the growing season from stem cuttings or by air layering.
Read more on How to Propagate Rubber Plant - 3 Ways to Propagate Ficus elastica.
Ficus elastica Problems
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) problems include leaf drop, yellow leaves, brown leaves, drooping leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Leaf drop (loss)
Rubber Plant or Rubber Fig may drop its leaves due to a number of varied reasons which include improper watering, pests, root-rot, extreme temperatures, insufficient light among others.
Here are 14 reasons why Rubber Plant is dropping leaves and how to fix them
Leaves turning brown
Rubber Plant or Rubber Fig leaves may turn brown due to a number of reasons which include improper watering, pests, root-rot, high temperatures, insufficient light, improper feeding among others.
Check out these 11 Causes of Rubber Plant Leaves Turning Brown and Solutions
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves in Rubber Plant may be due to many reasons which include overwatering, underwatering, root-rot, pests, poor lighting, high temperatures among others.
Read more on 13 Reasons Why Rubber Plant Leaves are Drooping & How to Fix Them
Pests
The common pests in Rubber Plant are mealybugs, aphids, spider mites and scales. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat with Neem oil or Insecticidal soap. Keep the plant properly pruned at all times to reduce the hiding places for these pests.
Diseases
Rubber Plant is prone to root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil. Ensure there is free drainage of both the soil and the pot and also reduce watering during the cold season. Read on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
Loss of lower leaves
Loss of lower leaves is a normal occurence in Rubber Plant. As it matures, it losses the lower leaves leaving a bare stem with a crown of leaves at the top.
Cut back the Rubber Fig stem at the desired height to rejuvenate growth. New growth should sprout just below the cut into a new bushy plant.
Yellow leaf edges
Yellowing leaf edges in Rubber Plant are due to underfeeding. Feed the plant monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing period but do not feed in the cold period.
You liked it? Share on social media.
Related Content
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.