Table of Contents
What is a rubber plant?
Ficus elastica is a coastal Southeast Asian traditional rubber plant. These trees may reach a height of fifty feet fifteen meters. Taking care of your rubber tree plant may be easy if you follow these simple guidelines:
5 tips to maintain the beauty of the rubber plant
Light
Rubber plants, like other members of their genus, thrive in bright, diffused light. They can withstand early sun, but the afternoon sun may singe the foliage, so keep them out of direct sunlight. A lack of adequate light will cause plants to sag and drop all of their bottom leaves, as well as for their leaf color to become dull and lifeless instead of glossy and vivid.
Soil
Rubber plants aren’t fussy about the kind of soil they grow in. Most indoor gardeners use a cactus mix, but any decent, fast-draining potting soil will work. An acidic soil combination is preferred by rubber plants as well. They “consume” their soil, much as fiddle leaf fig trees, and their roots will ultimately be revealed. If this occurs, just add more soil to the top of your pot to solve the problem.
Water
The rubber plant prefers to be kept damp all the time rather than completely drenched. Additionally, rubber plants are quite drought-sensitive and should be avoided if possible. In order to determine whether or not it is necessary to water your plant again, examine the moisture levels in the first few inches of soil. If they are dry and crumbly, it is imperative that you water your plant again.
Temperature and Humidity
They’re susceptible to cold drafts, much as other ficus tree species. Symptoms of a sick plant include it becoming leggy, its leaves becoming yellow or brown, or even dying off completely. Rubber trees do best in an environment with a temperature range of 60°F to 75°F with a relative humidity of 50% or less. Space humidifiers may help with dry air by adding moisture where it’s needed.
Fertilizer
During the growth season, feed the plant a mild liquid fertilizer. When well-fed, they consume a lot of food. Some experts advise against feeding indoor plants more than necessary in order to keep them from straining and becoming root-bound as a result of their rapid growth.
Conclusions
Don’t give up on houseplants just because you’ve had bad experiences in the past. If you don’t have a green thumb, the rubber tree is an excellent first plant. An appealing upright structure and glossy leathery leaves make these trees a welcome addition to any space with enough light.