Rubber Tree Care (Ficus elastica)

This plant prefers bright, indirect light and can tolerate direct sun.

• 6-8 hours of bright indirect light per day will keep the leaves closely spaced.
• A spot near a window that admits sunshine is the best place; place the pot 3-5 feet (1-1.5 m) from the glass.
• Morning sun for 2-3 hours is ideal. Afternoon rays penetrating through a south-facing window will burn the leaf surface unless you first acclimatize your plant to bright sunlight.
• Variegated varieties, such as Tineke, require approximately 30% more light than standard green varieties.

Note: Intervals between the leaves of Ficus elastica of 3 inches (7.5 cm) or more indicate that the location is too dark.

Regarding watering, deep soaks with long intervals between waterings are better for Rubber Tree than small sips every couple of days.

• Stick your finger into the soil. Water when the top 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) of soil is dry.
• Water until water begins to flow out of the drainage holes. Empty the drip tray after watering.
• In summer, you would t typically water once a week. In winter, water every 2-3 weeks.

Note: Ficus elastica placed in a dark corner requires much less water, so use the soil conditions rather than the calendar as a guide.

For the Rubber Tree, temperature stability is an important factor; sudden cold snaps are harmful.

• A room temperature of 61-80°F (16-27°C) is suitable year-round.
• At temperatures below 55°F (13°C), Ficus elastica begins to drop its leaves.
• Doorways, and places near air conditioning vents and radiators are not suitable for this plant.

Note: Leaf drop usually indicates a draft, not excessively high room temperatures.

Regular household air is fine for this plant, although it prefers a little extra humidity — 40-50% is sufficient. Dry air causes leaf tips and margins to turn brown. 

Tip: Plant it with other tropical species to increase the humidity around the leaves. Calathea lutea and Philodendron hederaceum are good companions provided they do not receive direct sun.

Choose a potting mix that retains moisture but drains quickly.

• A peat or coir mix for indoor plants will create a sturdy base.
• A ratio of one part perlite to three parts mix creates air pockets at the roots.
• A small amount of orchid bark will prevent the soil from compacting over time.
• Rubber Tree requires a soil pH of 5.5-7.0.

Note: Dense garden soil is not suitable for container-grown Ficus elastica as it has poor aeration and drainage, which can lead to rot.

Ficus elastica grows well in containers. Choose a pot that is 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) wider than the root ball, but no wider. It is important that it has drainage holes. Keep in mind that a tall Rubber Tree has a heavy stem and crown. Upgrade to a ceramic pot with a wide and heavy base once your plant exceeds 4 feet (1.2 meters) in height to avoid tipping.

The plant requires fertilizing throughout the growing season, as new leaves require a lot of nutrients.

• Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, such as 20-20-20.
• Fertilize every 4-6 weeks from spring to late summer.
• Stop feeding from late fall until new leaves appear. 
• Flushing with clean water every few months removes accumulated salts.

Note: A white crust on the soil surface indicates salt accumulation.

The best time to prune a Rubber Tree is in spring or early summer.

• Trim your Ficus elastica just above a node to encourage lateral branching.
• Remove no more than a third of the crown in a single pruning session.
• Wear gloves when pruning; the milky sap stings the skin and stains fabric. 
• A damp paper towel placed on the cut will prevent dripping.

Most Rubber Trees need repotting into a larger container every 2-3 years.

• Roots that emerge from the drainage holes are a sign it's time to repot.
• Spring is a good time to repot, just before active growth begins.
• Transplant only one pot size larger. In a larger pot, the moist soil remains unused.
• After repotting, water the plant, and do not fertilize for 4-6 weeks to reduce stress.

You can use cuttings and air layering to propagate Ficus elastica:

• Take a  6-inch (15 cm) long cutting with two or three leaves. 
• Mist the leaves and leave the cutting until it stops giving off latex.
• Place in moist perlite and peat moss.
• For faster rooting, maintain an indoor temperature of around 70-75°F (21-24°C).

Note: Air layering is best for tall and bare stems. Ringbark the desired shoot and wrap in plastic or foil filled with moist peat. Roots form while the stem remains attached.

A Rubber Tree generally stops growing in winter, so water it much less frequently than in summer — allow the top 1-2 inches (3–5 cm) of soil to dry. Keep the pot away from cold, frosty glass and heating vents. Do not fertilize until days lengthen again. Wipe the leaves clean, as this will help this houseplant use the weak winter light.