Rubber Tree Care: Top 21 Growing + Flowering Tips

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The rubber tree has a scientific name; Fiscus Elastica. The rubber tree belongs to the Moraceae family. Rubber trees are large, beautiful plants.

They are mostly grown inside a house to commend the theme decoration of the home. Let’s discuss everything about Rubber Tree Care.

  • how to make a rubber plant bushy
  • Best rubber tree indoor
  • What are the rubber plant benefits
  • Best rubber tree propagation
  • Rubber plant watering Tips
  • Rubber tree plantation Tips
  • Rubber tree information
  • Japanese rubber plant care

After the rubber tree was discovered, they utilized rubber sap for producing homemade shoes. In present days, rubber trees are considered a pure source of natural rubber.

The latex from rubber trees has been used for the production of diverse and important tools like; tires and surgical gloves. Rubber trees have different common names, which include; rubber plants, Indian rubber trees, and rubber bushes.

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Rubber Tree Profile Information

  • The beautiful plant is shaped in 3-lobed and contains a 3-seeded ellipsoidal capsule that originated from India and south-eastern Asia.
  • Rubber tree sprouts out largely when fully grown. There are various growing climates and zones rubber trees can be found.
  • They include; hill forests, tropical rainforests, specifically, limestone hills, and cliffs. Domestically, rubber trees can be cultured indoors.
  • The leaves of the plant are smooth with a length of about 6.30cm wide and a width of 5.15cm.
  • Rubber tree barks are smooth and have a dark brown color and underneath the bark is abundant rubber sap.
  • In time, during growth, the plant produces flowers with creamy white color. Few parts of the plant are edible to humans.
  • The young leaves and the young leaf tips are eaten as vegetables and salad respectively.

Rubber Plants Benefits 

Rubber Tree Care
Rubber Tree Care

Rubber plants or otherwise known as Ficus elastica have various benefits, particularly when they are grown indoors. Some of these benefits include;

  1. The rubber plant is an easy plant to grow with low costs. New rubber plants can be propagated by cutting the parent stock of the plants which gives a chance of growing the plant at many places.
  2. In a decorative pot, a rubber plant can be a presentable gift to friends and families, including work colleagues.
  3. Growing a rubber plant is an easy thing to do. It requires less effort, moist soil, it doesn’t require regular watering and fertilization.it is a kind of plant that will grow regardless of the attention it’s receiving.
  4. Another benefit that makes rubber plants unique is it doesn’t trigger any allergic reactions. Unlike some plants, rubber plants do not generate pollen grains. Pollen grains in some plants initiate allergic properties in whoever plants them. It is safe to have plant rubbers in many spaces like hospitals and business offices.
  5. Healthwise, rubber plants are known to heal skin rashes. It can also be useful in treating insect bites, constipation, pains in the joints and in the muscles, and can also be helpful in the treatment of parasitic worms.
  6. With the aid of rubber plants, rheumatic diseases can be cured using a rubber plant root. It is beneficial to have rubber plants inside the house because it can protect the house from unwanted particles and pollutants.

How frequently should you water a rubber plant?

Apart from rubber plant care is having the idea of when to and how frequently to water it. Watering a rubber plant is systematic; the plant’s requirement for water varies based on each season.

In Summer

During the hot season (summer) or otherwise known as the growing season, the rubber plant requires little water.

It is essential to keep the plant slightly wet during this period. Keeping them moist can be achieved by using a wet cloth to rub the plant leaves.

In Winter

In the winter period (dormant season), rubber plants need to be watered one to three times a month.

Careful attention and observation is a good hint for knowing when to water the plants.

Droopy leaves and dry air are signals for more water. When the leaves of the plant change from green to yellow or brown, it points to excess watering.

Also read-

Are rubber plants indoor or outdoor?

Rubber Tree Care
Rubber Tree Care

Various people have been concerned with this question; “can a ficus tree be planted outside?”, “is it best to plant rubber plants indoors?”.

The answer to both questions about ‘are Rubber plants outdoors or indoors” is YES. Ficus trees can be planted either inside or outside.

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Rubber plant well growth depends mainly on the right growing environments prepared by the person growing them. There are different methods to growing an outdoor and indoor rubber plant.

Heat and humidity are friendly to an outdoor rubber plant. For this type of rubber plant, the person growing it has to pay extra attention to the roots of the plant.

Making sure it stays wet especially during the growing season. According to experts, watering the plants during the morning time is ideal.

There are various Ficus plant’s identities, having close to 850 different species both indoors and outdoors.

Here are some ficus tree varieties identification; rubber trees planted outdoors include sacred fig, mistletoe fig, Indian Laurel. Indoors ficus plants are Audrey ficus, fiddle-leaf fig, and narrow-leafed fig.

Rubber Tree Indoor Care Tips

Growing rubber trees requirements are simple and doable. All the plant requires is balance.

The consistency of the person growing it is a factor, by giving the plants the accurate quantity of sunlight and water. Rubber tree care also involves distinct observations.

#1 Adequate Sunlight

  • The first care to be monitored in growing rubber trees indoors is Sunlight. Generally, all plants need sunlight to grow.
  • Though many plants prefer direct sunlight, indirect sunlight favors the growth of rubber trees.
  • This is because if rubber trees are exposed to direct sunlight, it will lead to the discoloration of their leaves.
  • The best location for an indoor rubber plant is near a window with a see-through curtain.

#2 Water Requirements

Water is an important factor for indoor rubber tree care. Studying the plant reactions to each season and supplying an accurate amount of water is essential.

Growing rubber trees in the summertime require more water than during the winter period.

#3 Temperature

Rubber trees are sensitive plants to temperature. Temperature also contributes to the good growth of the plant.

The suitable range for rubber tree temperature is 60⁰F to 80⁰F. However, they can survive through the lower temperatures.

Moist air and humid air is favorable to rubber trees because they originated from the tropical zone.

#4 Repotting

There is a choice in repotting rubber plants. It is advisable to report to ensure the growth of the plant.

Repotting the plant can be done yearly or every 2 years, it depends on the person growing it and the plant.

#5 Toxicity

The rubber sap produced by the plant contains toxicity. If the sap touches the skin, most people experience skin irritation. It is advisable to wash hands after taking care of the plant.

How to make a rubber plant bushy

Rubber plants are indeed beautiful and really large when they reach full growth. But there are a few cases in which the rubber plants have stunted growth.

When the plant refuses to bring out enough leaves, it doesn’t have much compliment on the decoration of the home.

There are various ways to make rubber plants bushy. Trimming some parts on the rubber plants with a sterilized cutter is the ideal solution.

Using a sterilized cutter ensures that the plant will not get infected. Clipping the parts will encourage the plant to sprout out from the node and become bushy.

Do rubber trees need direct sunlight?

Basically, rubber trees are considered houseplants because they are mostly grown indoors.

  • They are cultured with ease and stress-free. Yes, to produce tall rubber trees, they require sunlight for growth.
  • It is one of the cares for rubber tree plants. Nevertheless, direct sunlight is not ideal for rubber plants.
  • Full direct sunlight causes discoloration of the plant leaves and causes the root of the plant to rot.
  • The best ideal sunlight for rubber plants is the indirect sun. The morning sun favors rubber plants the best.
  • A warm space with dim light or a light cloth as a curtain to prevent direct sunlight is advisable.
  • There are some signs to look out for to determine how to regulate the amount of sunlight needed.
  • Irregularity to the length of the leaves indicates the requirement for more light. Rubber plants will require more sunlight if the leaves are even but sagging downwards.

Rubber Tree Propagation Tips

Achieving a well-grown rubber tree requires the right steps to rubber tree propagations. Some of the question to ask include;

What time is best to propagate?

Generally, it is best to plant any indoor plants during a warm season. This also applies to planting rubber trees. When the plant is planted at the right time, it gives a chance for plant recovery from certain defects.

How to propagate?

Propagation of rubber is not an easy one because it can be a bit chaotic. It is no secret that rubber plants release sap.

When trimming the rubber plant, the sap is released. The sap is adhesive and hinders the propagation. There is a way around propagating the plant that helps to avoid the messy part. Prepare;

  1. The rubber tree is needed for the propagation.
  2. A perfect tidy plane.
  3. Another requirement is a lot of paper towels.
  4. A pair of sterilized cutters/trimmer.
  5. It is important to prepare a new rubber flower pot; it is for housing the plant.
  6. Make sure a rooting hormone is available.
  7. A plastic bag.

After preparing all this, the next step is to start rubber plant propagation. The plant growth information is listed below.

  1. Firstly, it is important to pick the correct rubber plant seed or  baby rubber tree. Check for a healthy stem that has thriving leaves surrounding it.
  2. The next process on how to take care of a rubber plant is by cutting the healthy stem you have picked out. After cutting it out, daub the stem you cut on the mother plant instantly, with the aid of the rooting hormone.
  3. Trimming the down leaves off the cutting is the next step. Don’t use hands, use the sterilized trimmer.
  4. Fill the pot with moist soil. Submerge the cut stem into rooting hormone, and then stick it into the pot filled with moist soil.
  5. You can create a mini greenhouse for the plant by using plastic bags. Make sure there is enough space and distance between the leaves of the plant and the plastic bag.
  6. The final process is observation and maintenance. Balance the necessary needs of the plant.

Why Is My Rubber Plant Dying?

One of the easiest plants to grow is rubber plants. They might be easy and not too sensitive to the environment but they still have their struggles.

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Rubber tree plant leaves falling off is a sign of the tree dying due to some factors and an imbalance in the needs of the plant.

The factors include; excess watering, under watering, a change in sunlight conditions that could make the plant die.

When there is dry air during summer, the plant could lose its beauty and the leaves could die. Pests also destroy the plant without proper care.

Do Rubber Tree Plants Clean The Air?

Rubber plants indeed do help in the purification of air. Placing a rubber plant in the house is beneficial to the occupants of the house because the plant can suck up the air present in the household.

  • The absorbed air from the house could contain different airborne contaminants, toxins, including dangerous chemical smells.
  • All these would soak up by the rubber plant’s internal system, transferring them into the soil. The microbes present in the soil will kill the dangerous contaminants in the air.
  • Naturally, plants contribute to the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide. Likewise, rubber plants fulfill the duty of producing free oxygen and do it efficiently.

The acidic soil is the best for growing mountain laurel. You should avoid clay soils. It will not grow well here.

Variegated Rubber Plant Care

There is a slight difference between a regular rubber plant and a variegated rubber plant.

  1. In rubber plants, the leaves are noticeably dark green while in a variegated rubber plant, there are various shades to the leaves including; red, yellow, green, and cream.
  2. Taking care of a variegated rubber tree is almost similar to regular rubber plants care. Variegated rubber plant care also includes timed watering.
  3. The soil for variegated rubber plants must be dry before watering the plant. Avoid excess watering and follow the time table for each season’s watering.
  4. In the summertime, watering should be in the range of five to seven days while during winter, watering the plant is required every ten to fourteen days.
  5. Variegated rubber plant also dislikes direct sunlight; the light will make the plant lose its variegated markings.
  6. Discoloration of the plant insinuates the need for more light. The variegated plant must not be placed near a fireplace and should also be kept away from Air Conditioners.

Japanese Rubber Plant Care

The Japanese rubber plant has many other names namely; Crassula ovata, Jade plant, and known as a Chinese rubber plant. The jade plant is also houseplants with small stature.

  • It was discovered in South Africa and Mozambique. It is a thick plant and it has the appearance of a tree.
  • The favorable soil for a Japanese rubber plant is dry soil. Specifically, succulent soil drains water easily without a hold on it for long.
  • The plant requires less watering, they can be without water for more than two weeks.
  • However, when it is time for watering the plant, it is ideal to make sure the plant’s soil is well dried. Jade plants are sensitive to light.
  • They require little to no sunlight, and also putting them in a shade is not favorable to them.

Are Rubber Trees and Rubber Plants The Same?

The rubber tree is also known as the rubber plant. They are both called the same name scientifically. Rubber plants cultivated indoors can grow to the height range of twenty-five to forty meters (98-131 feet).

Naturally grown rubber trees in the tropical rain forest (its original location) can grow more than a hundred meters.

The plant has weather vulnerability; extreme cold weather hinders its growth. It can survive various weather conditions. This is the reason it is mostly cultivated indoors.

Is A Rubber Trees Evergreen?

The rubber tree otherwise known as Fiscus Elastica is an evergreen tree. From the Moraceae fig family, during ancient times, rubber tree served as the main source of obtaining rubber sap before synthetics were discovered.

Any member of the Moraceae family has the capacity of releasing rubber sap if its bark was wounded or opened. Another distinct characteristic of the rubber tree is, every stage of growth they attain, they give out new leaves.

How Fast Does a Rubber Plant Grow?

The rubber plant is considered as one of the most tolerant plants, growing in almost all conditions. They can sprout out in any environment as long their needs are catered for.

In each growing season, rubber plant cultured indoors has the capability of increasing in height at least twenty four inches.

The growth of the rubber plant is dependent on the size of the pot housing it. A cultivated outdoor rubber plant will exceed 100 meters.

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The time of growth of the rubber plant is based loosely on the growing conditions it’s in. 

How will I know if my rubber plant is healthy or Not?

Rubber plants are capable of surviving in extreme conditions, yet they need to be checked on to monitor their growth process. During the growing season (summer), the rubber plant should be checked weekly.

This will show or help you identify the areas you need to work on. A sign of a healthy rubber plant is its growth and dark green leaves.

A slight discoloration of its leaves to yellow points to excess watering. It can be corrected by reducing the water applied to the plant.

How do I make my rubber plant leaves shiny?

Keeping the rubber plant leaves shiny is as important as watering the plant and setting the plant in the right light conditions.

  1. One of the simplest ways of cleaning the leaves is by giving the whole plant a lukewarm bath. No soap is necessary; avoid washing out the whole soil.
  2. Another way is giving it an outdoor shower. If it happens to be raining outside, you can place the plant outside and should be timed, to avoid washing the soil away.
  3. Using a damp cloth to clean the leaves is a good way of making sure the leaves are shiny. Be careful not to tear the leaves.
  4. Get a mister to the job. Misting is a stress-free method of making the leaves shiny. The water has a better chance of getting to the targeted point, without losing some oil or tearing the leaves.

Rubber tree diseases and cures

Rubber tree diseases are listed below.

  1. White root fungus (Rigidoporus micropus); symptoms include the decay of the plant root, colored edges of the stem, the leaves changing from dark green to dull green. It can be cured through a fungicide approach.
  2. Upas fungus disease (Corticium salmonicolor); there are no changes in the root, the skin tissue of the plant becomes rotten, the leaves and the branch breaks off easily. The use of fungicide can also cure the plant of this disease.
  3. Anthracnose disease (Colletotrichum glocosporoides); its effect on the plant include the roots and the stem will be filled with high intensity of rainwater, wrinkles with a black edge on the leaves. Removing the infected plant and using a copper-based fungicide is the best cure for this disease.

Also read below tips to control common gardening bugs.

The best soil for rubber plants

To ensure a well-developed growth, supplying the right soil to the plant is essential. The best soil for rubber plants is draining and aerated soil, cactus potting mix is the best option.

The roots of the rubber plants are not soggy, their roots are known to absorb soil. Keeping extra soil and being observant is important for the growth of the rubber plant.

How to prune a potted rubber plant

“How to prune a potted rubber plant” is one of the most frequently asked questions by individuals growing a rubber plant. Rubber plant pruning is ideal for both the health of the plant and the space in the house.

Knowing when to prune is significant. The best time to prune is the early growing season. Pruning can’t be done by using hands.

It has to be done using a sterile blade or trimmer. Prune damaged stems and weak branches, will encourage new growth of stems and branches.

Here are some of the most requested FAQs on Rubber Tree Care

Is Ash good for a rubber tree?

Yes, Wood Ash is amazing for the rubber plant, as it has exceptionally high phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium carbonate content.

Is rubber milk which gets from rubber tree healthy?

Rubber plant has many health benefits. It’s Useful for wounds, cuts, injuries, muscle, and joint pains, blockage.

Why my rubber tree is turning yellow

The most widely recognized reason for yellowing leaves among Rubber Trees is inappropriate soil dampness specifically, overwatering.
Another reason might be the hard water or tap water.

When to plant rubber Tree?

Rubber Tree grows the best in the summer season. The only thing to remember to keep its soil moist, so that it can grow well.

How fast does a rubber plant grow?

Rubber Plants are growing fast, developing as much as 24″ in a season!

Conclusion

Rubber tree care is are easy to purchase plant and stress-free to maintain. The important thing to the growth of the rubber plant is knowing how to maintain it.

They are decorative plants and they breathe life into a home. Rubber plants are useful industrially.

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