Rubber plant care
Thick, shiny leaves on an upright stem; easy and fast-growing in good light. (Ficus elastica)
- Light
- Bright, indirect light, with a little direct…
- Water
- Water when the top two inches of soil are dry
- Cats
- Toxic
- Dogs
- Toxic
Care card
Light
Bright, indirect light, with a little direct morning sun if possible.
Water
Water when the top two inches of soil are dry.
Humidity
Average; keep away from drafts.
Soil and pot
Well-drained potting mix in a heavy pot.
Feeding
Feed monthly in spring and summer.
Through the year
Spring
Turn the pot a little each week so it grows straight; start feeding.
Summer
Wipe dust from the leaves so they catch light.
Autumn
Do not move it around: many indoor trees drop leaves after a move.
Winter
Water less, keep it away from cold drafts and heaters.
Common problems
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves plus wet soil point to overwatering. A sudden shed of green leaves after a move or a cold night is stress. Put it in one bright spot, away from the door, and water only when the top dries.
Leaf trouble?
Why houseplant leaves turn yellow
Several yellow leaves at once usually mean the roots are staying wet. Feel the…How often to water a houseplant
There is no single weekly schedule. Water when that plant's soil says so, then…Brown tips and crispy edges
Brown tips usually mean dry air, a pot that dried out too far, or minerals in…Drooping houseplant leaves
Droop can mean thirst or roots that are too rotten to drink. Feel the soil…Fungus gnats and other small pests
Fungus gnats breed in mix that never dries. Letting the top layer dry, and…Background
Ficus elastica, the rubber fig, rubber bush, rubber tree, rubber plant, or Indian rubber bush, Indian rubber tree, or rambung is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae, native to eastern parts of South and Southeast Asia. Its common names reflect its historical use as a source of rubber within its native range, but it is not used in the modern commercial-scale production of natural rubber.
From Wikipedia’s article Ficus elastica, by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More indoor tree plants
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: toxic and non-toxic plants Pet safety
- Wikipedia: Ficus elastica Background