How to Water Rubber Trees

Rubber plants become trees in mild climates, but are more commonly houseplants.

Rubber trees, or Ficus elastica, can be planted outside as landscape trees or in containers as houseplants. Regardless of where the tree is planted, it is tolerant of drought and doesn't need frequent watering. The tree will lose its green, waxy-looking leaves if not watered, as a means of conserving water, but this is reversible with an increase in watering, which will trick the tree into thinking the dry season is over. The plant will start growing again and produce new leaves.

Instructions

1. Water the rubber tree with room temperature water when the soil surrounding it has become dry. Cold water may shock the roots and damage the tree.

2. Provide enough water for the rubber tree during waterings that water seeps through its container's drain holes or, if an outdoor tree, until the area surrounding it is thoroughly wet.

3. Discard the water that has overflowed from the rubber tree's container after allowing the plant to sit in the extra water for about five minutes.

4. Allow the soil surrounding the rubber tree to become dry before watering again, but not so dry that you see cracks in the soil.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Ficus elastica -- Rubber Tree
• University of Illinois Extension: Ficus -- Plant Palette
• University of Minnesota Extension Service: Rubber Trees, Weeping Figs and Other Friendly Ficus