How to Propagate Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) by 3 Easy Methods

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Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) is propagated from stem cuttings or by air layering at the beginning of the growing season. The stem cuttings can be rooted either in soil or in water.

Ficus elastica also called Rubber Fig, Rubber Tree, Rubber Bush, Indian Rubber Tree or Indian Rubber Bush is a popular, tree-like plant, ideal for the large spaces.

According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Ficus elastica was found to be good in cleaning indoor air of formaldehyde. It is a great addition to any plant collection for the benefit of fresh air.

Rubber Fig performs well in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Ficus elastica.

Rubber Plant is easily propagated in 3 easy ways. Keep reading for more on these Rubber Plant propagation methods herebelow.

1. Propagating Rubber Plant from stem cuttings in soil

1. Take non-woody stem or stem-tip cuttings of about 6 inches long from a healthy plant. Ensure each cutting has some leaf nodes as this is where new growth will come from.


2. Allow the sap to dry and then dip the lower cut end cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


3. Select a rooting container with adequate drainage to prevent rotting.


4. Fill the container with free-draining potting mix and make a hole in the center. Ensure the hole is slightly wider than the base of the stem cutting.


5. Insert about 2-3 inches of the lower cut end of the stem cutting in the previously made hole, and lightly firm the soil around the stem cutting. Take care not to bury it too deep.


6. Wet the soil thoroughly and cover the set up with clear polythene sheet to create a greenhouse effect to hasten rooting.


7. Ensure the leaves do not touch the bag or the sheet too much by propping it up with sticks.


8. Place the set up in a well-lit, warm place. Adequate light and warmth are necessary for faster rooting.


9. Maintain the soil moist until rooting occurs; rooting will occur in about 3-6 weeks.


10. When you observe new growth, transfer the new plant into its own pot and begin routine care.

2. Propagating Rubber Plant from stem cuttings in water

1. Take a 6 inches stem or stem-tip cutting from a healthy stem. Ensure it has several leaf node as this is where new growth will come from.


2. Strip off the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


3. Submerge 2-3 inches of the stem in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station.


4. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight.


5. Change the water every 5-7 days to prevent fungal growth.


6. When a good amount of roots have formed on the cuttings, transfer the cuttings into individual pots in moist, rooting soil.


7. Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


8. Maintain the soil moist until new growth has emerged and substantial growth has been observed.


9. Transfer the new plant into a pot 1 size larger in well-drained soil and begin routine care.

3. Propagating Rubber Plant by air layering

Rubber Plant air layering propagation is easy. Following is the step by step process of air layering.

1. Make a notch on the stem of a healthy plant and coat the notch with a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


2. Surround the notched area with damp moss and then cover it with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.


3. Maintain the moss moist through out and allow some time for roots to develop in the notched area.


4. After the roots have formed and about 2 inches long, the stem is now ready to be seperated from the mother plant.


5. Sever the stem just below the covered part with a sharp cutting tool like a sterlized knife or a sterilized pair of scissors. New shoots will sprout from the shortened stem of the mother plant.


6. Carefully remove the polythene and get ready to pot the rooted stem of the Ficus elastica.


7. Select a 6 or 8 inches pot that has a drainage hole to prevent rotting.


8. Fill the pot with free-draining potting mix and make a hole in the center of the pot Make sure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the cutting.


9. Place the rooted cutting in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base of the stem. Take care not to bury it too deep.


10. Wet the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

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