How to Take Care of A Rubber Tree Plant

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By Meri Rees
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Perhaps you have just returned home with a beautiful new rubber tree. Now what? By understanding the plant's needs you will be able to have a long and happy relationship with your new purchase.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Rubber Tree Plant
Fertilizer
Water
Light

Step 1

LIGHT: Your rubber tree [Ficus elastica] has evolved from plants naturally found in sub tropical and tropical areas of the world. For that reason they are happy to be placed in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. On the flip side they will not be happy near a drafty or cold window.
Step 2

WATER: Tropical plants are used to soil that gets saturated often yet have periods of time when the soil is able to dry out. Your rubber tree will thrive when you follow that natural pattern and water it thoroughly allowing it to dry a bit before watering again. For best results don't shock the roots with ice cold water and stay away from soft water as it has a high salt content. Water collected in your dehumidifier is perfect!
Step 3

FERTILIZER: Using a water soluble type fertilizer mix it to half strength. Fertilize it every three to four weeks when it is in a heavy period of growth. Cut back on the fertilizer in the fall and hardly use any during the short days of winter.
Step 4

PRUNING: Unless you want a huge tree in your house you will want to prune it once in a while. Pruning will help keep the plant shorter and will help the plant to branch out making a more esthetic plant. Prune as you would any woody plant, cutting just above a node [where a leaf is attached to the stem, or where another stem branches off]. New growth will come out of the scar area.
Step 5

In a natural environment the plant will be cleaned with gentle rain and wind that will remove dust and dirt. In your house you can wipe the leaves lightly with a soft cloth or swiffer. If you like the really shiny look you can wipe each leaf down with a commercial leaf shine product or a scrap piece of flannel that has a tiny bit of mayonnaise infused in it.
Step 6

Repeat steps for as long as you have the plant. Enjoy!

Comments

bergeron said

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on 5/28/2009 Thanks for the article. I was just given my first rubber tree from a very dear family member due to the fact of a tragedy in our family. The funeral was overrun with plants so she chose certain people to share the plants with. So this tree means the world to me. I do not have the so called green thumb and the only plant I have ever been able to keep before was Ivy. So I immediately looked up info on how to care for this plant. I hope and pray I can keep this plant forever. Thank you again for the article. It actually seems pretty easy to care for.