Rubber Tree Care Guide
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Hevea
Botanical Name: Ficus elastica
Difficulty: Easy to maintain
Light
The Rubber tree will make it work under bright direct light but will be more at home in medium to bright indirect light. Plants that are more variegated will need brighter sunlight to bring out their colors.
Water
Just like many other house plants, the rubber tree only needs to be watered once its soil is completely dry (every 1-2 weeks) and will need to be watered more frequently as lighting conditions increase.
Climate
These plants are not particular about the humidity of their environment, but they prefer temperatures in the 65°-85°F range.
Soil
Well-draining and well-aerated potting soil are important for a healthy rubber tree.
Pests and Diseases
Rubber trees may become infested with scale, mealybugs, mites, and aphids, but they can be treated with Neem Oil and be wiped down regularly to help treat and prevent this. These guys are more susceptible to diseases and pests when they’re overwatered.
Tips for a happy rubber plant
Keep your rubber plant near a window that has a sheer curtain over it to create the perfect sunlight for them.
If you aren’t ready for your rubber plant to grow up, don’t repot it.
Prune your rubber plant in the warmer months to prevent it from getting too heavy to support itself.
Signs your rubber tree is sad
Their beautiful color is fading: it needs more vitamin C
Inward curling leaves if in dry potting mix: needs water
Droopy leaves if in wet potting mix: too much water
How to propagate
Before taking a cutting from your rubber tree make sure it will be able to survive pruning. If you take too many cuttings, or too large of a cutting, it may droop for a little while.
You can propagate them in water or soil, but water propagation is the easiest way to go. Place them in a glass that is tall and wide enough to support the leaf (mason jars are perfect) and fill it a little less than halfway with water. Chang out the water every few days and wait for the roots to grow.
Once the roots have grown to at least 2 inches, you can plant them into soil. Prepare a pot with damp potting mix, and make a hole where you want the cutting to go. Your cutting will need a little more water and humidity than usual to establish a root system and produce new growth on its own. Once it begins to do this you can water it as you normally would, when the topsoil is dry.
Fun Facts
Rubber plants are used to make living bridges in Northeastern India!
They bleed a sap that is a latex consistency when injured.
Their sap is sometimes used to make rubber.
Hardiness Zones
Before you move your plant outside, be sure to check the hardiness zone to save yourself some grief and the loss of a beloved plant.
The hardiness zones for rubber trees are : 10-12, but can survive in lower zones if kept inside.
If you live in Tennessee, here’s a hardiness map to help you decide if your plant can survive outside!
