How do you care for a rubber plant indoors?
As the Ficus elastica likes to be in soil with a good amount of moisture, avoid placing it somewhere drying, such as near a drafty window or vent, heater, or in direct sunlight. Bright, indirect light is ideal for growing the Rubber Plant, however they are unusually tolerant of lower light spaces for a ficus. The best spot for a rubber plant Rubber plants love bright, indirect light and thrive in well-lit spaces. While they can handle some direct sunlight, avoid placing them in harsh midday sun during the summer months.Rubber plants also like their leaves to be moist and clean, so wipe the leaves with a cloth to keep dust away and spritz with water every few days.Rubber Trees make shine look easy, effortlessly growing into showy statement pieces. Through relatively simple care, this Ficus will flourish alongside you for a decade or more.Regularly dust the leaves to maintain their shine. Use neem oil not just for cleaning but also as a preventive measure against pests. Ensure that your rubber plant is receiving adequate light and humidity.
What to feed a rubber plant?
Give them what they crave by feeding them once a week while they’re actively growing with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food, an instant source of just the right nutrition. Apply it directly to the soil and water as normal, using 2 pumps for small pots and 5 pumps for larger pots (over 6 inches in diameter). Plant rubber plants in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. After a month, feed when plants are actively growing with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food.Fertilise Rubber Plants fortnightly in spring and summer with an indoor plant fertiliser to encourage new growth. Use Scotts Osmocote Pour+Feed for Indoor Plants – this is a simple to use ‘measure and pour’ feed which contains the right balance of nutrients.Plant rubber plants in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. After a month, feed when plants are actively growing with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food.
How to make a rubber plant grow faster indoors?
While rubber trees can tolerate lower light, more light helps stems grow strong. Soil – Rubber plants prefer well-draining soil with good aeration. An all-purpose commercial potting mix designed for indoor container growing provides the balance of moisture retention and drainage that rubber trees prefer. To promote upward growth, cut the side shoots of the tree – either directly on the trunk or above a node where you want new branches to grow. If unwanted side shoots have formed after pruning, you can also cut them off. If some side shoots become longer than the main shoot, you should also cut them back.Sometimes a rubber plant may not be growing uniformly or branches out too much. This can also be remedied by pruning. To promote upward growth, cut the side shoots of the tree – either directly on the trunk or above a node where you want new branches to grow.LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY Through planting rubber trees in monocultures, there are severe longterm consequences on different levels. Natural Habitat for plants and animals is lost. Artificial fertilizers have to be added to have enough nutrients for the trees to grow.A lack of essential nutrients can hinder growth. Ensure you are fertilizing your Rubber Plant during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. This will provide the necessary nutrients for healthy leaf development.
Do rubber plants need direct sunlight?
A Rubber Tree thrives in bright, indirect sunlight to a few hours of direct sunlight when acclimated. Preferably found in an East or West window, or a diffused South window. While it can tolerate lower light conditions, too little light may cause slower growth and leaf drop. Lack of Humidity A sudden change in environment, like a move to a drier climate or the onset of low-humidity winter conditions, could cause leaf drop. Prevent leaf drop due to lack of humidity by grouping your rubber plant together with other humidity-loving tropicals to create a more humid microclimate.Rubber plants are sensitive to changes in light, temperature, and humidity, making them more challenging to care for than other houseplants.The primary agents that cause rubber and plastics to deteriorate are radiation, high humidity, high temperature, oxygen and pollutant gases, and stress and other direct physical forces. However, not all rubber and plastics are attacked to the same extent by each agent.Dull drooping foliage: This is an indication that your Rubber Tree may be underwatered, giving your plant a dull lifeless appearance. Assess your watering frequency and ensure to water once the soil has reached near dryness.
What makes a rubber plant happy?
They like lots of bright, indirect light – low light leads to leggy growth and dulls their color. Before you water, let the top inch or two of soil dry, then drench the soil and let it drain thoroughly. A happy rubber plant will grow quickly. Rubber plants are perfect for busy individuals who want to add some unique style into their homes without having to worry about daily plant care. Their resilience, air purifying qualities and durability make them an excellent addition to your indoor jungle.Should I prune my rubber plant? Plants this big will need pruning so that they can support themselves, promote growth and manage their size. We’d suggest pruning every spring just before its new growing period begins. But really, you can prune it any time of year.In more recent times, the humble rubber plant has been making something of a comeback, not least because it is attractive and low maintenance, but it also scores highly for keeping the air clean.The best time to take Rubber tree cuttings is spring when plants are actively growing. This helps the parent plant’s recovery and new leaf growth after cutting the stem.Should I mist my rubber plant? There’s no need to mist a rubber plant, but the plant can benefit from adequate humidity (40-50 percent). It’s also a good idea to wipe down the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove accumulated dust.
What does an overwatered rubber plant look like?
Overwatering is a far more common problem for the Rubber Plant, and there are several signs you should look for when this occurs. Generally, an overwatered Rubber Plant will have yellowing leaves and may even drop some leaves. Put your rubber plant in a spot that gets as much bright, indirect light as possible, but keep it out of direct sunlight. How do I know if my rubber plant is happy? A happy, healthy rubber plant will have glossy, deep green leaves and fast growth.Look for leaves that are damaged, yellowing, or oversized. These are the leaves that need to be trimmed. It’s important to remove these leaves to promote healthy growth and maintain the aesthetics of your rubber plant.Generally, an overwatered Rubber Plant will have yellowing leaves and may even drop some leaves.A healthy rubber plant will happily boast beautiful, glossy, deep emerald green leaves. They’re an extremely fast-growing plant, so you’ll also know if your plant is healthy if it shoots up dramatically during its growing season!