Rubber Plant / Rubber Tree / India Rubber Fig / Rambung

Ficus elastica

description

Rubber Plant is a robust indoor fig with thick glossy leaves and an upright habit.

benefits

Suitable for containers

warnings

Toxic to cats
Toxic to dogs

How to care for Rubber Plant

sunlight

In tropical forests, young Rubber Plants grow in bright, filtered light beneath taller trees. Give yours a well-lit spot indoors, protected from harsh midday sun.

Bright indirect light

Place near an east or north window, or a few feet back from a bright south or west window. A little gentle morning sun is usually welcome, but intense direct sun can scorch the leaves.

Tolerated medium light

Green forms can manage a moderately bright room, though growth will slow and lower leaves may become sparse. Variegated varieties need brighter indirect light to keep their pattern.

Rotate the pot about a quarter turn every week or two so the plant grows evenly toward the light.

watering

Water thoroughly only after the top 2-5 cm of soil has dried. Let excess drain away so the roots are never left sitting in water.

Active growth - bright, warm months

Check about once a week and water roughly every 7-14 days when the top layer is dry. A smaller pot, brighter light, warmth, and a fast-draining mix can make it thirstier.

Lower light or cooler months

Growth slows, so watering is often needed about every 2-3 weeks. Check the soil deeper than usual and wait until the upper half is drying before watering again.

Lift the pot after watering, then again before watering. A noticeably lighter pot is a useful sign that the root ball is drying.

Humidity, pot material, pot size, soil mix, and root activity all change the timing. Use the soil and pot weight rather than a fixed calendar.

Constantly wet soil can cause root rot. Yellowing lower leaves with soggy soil mean it is time to pause watering and check drainage.

humidity

Comfortable household range

40-60%

Rubber Plants come from warm, humid tropical forests, but they adapt well to average indoor air. Aim for around 50-60% humidity for the healthiest new growth. Below about 40%, leaf edges may turn crisp or brown, leaves may curl, and new leaves can struggle to unfurl.

Raise humidity gently rather than keeping the soil wetter.

Run a humidifier nearby during dry heating months.
Group plants together or place the pot on a pebble tray with water below the pot base.
Keep it away from radiators, heating vents, and strong air conditioning.

temperature

Preferred temperature

18-27°C (65-80°F)

Winter minimum

13°C (55°F)

Native to warm tropical forests, Rubber Plant prefers steady indoor warmth. Keep it away from cold windows in winter and from hot, dry air blowing from heaters, which can stress or scorch the leaves.

Place it where temperatures stay above 13°C (55°F), especially overnight.

Cold drafts and sudden temperature swings can cause leaf drop.

nutrition

March - August

Feed about once a month while your Rubber Plant is making new leaves. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half the label strength, applied to already-moist soil. Skip feeding in autumn and winter unless it is clearly growing in warm, bright conditions.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen supports the large, glossy leaves. A balanced fertilizer provides enough without pushing soft, weak growth.

Potassium

Potassium supports sturdy growth and helps the plant use water well, especially in bright indoor spots.

Flush the pot with plain water every few months during the growing season to wash away fertilizer salts, especially if leaf edges turn brown.

soil

Airy, moisture-holding, free-draining soil

Rubber Plants prefer roots that stay lightly moist but never sit in stagnant water. Use a quality indoor potting mix loosened with perlite, pumice, or fine orchid bark to improve airflow and drainage.

pH 5,5 - 7,0

This is mildly acidic to neutral, a range most houseplant potting mixes naturally provide. Choose a fresh peat- or coco-based mix and avoid adding lime unless you know your water or soil is very acidic.

Choose a pot with drainage holes and repot if the mix stays wet for more than about a week.