Proper Care & Pruning of Rubber Tree House Plant
The rubber tree, or Ficus elastica, grows as an outdoor plant only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10b through 11 in the United States. Luckily, it performs well as an indoor houseplant as well, increasing its availability to gardeners across the United States. This fast-growing plant produces glossy green leaves 8 to 12 inches long. It also comes in a variegated cultivar, with leaves that develop white or yellow edges. This vigorous grower reaches up to 15 feet tall and 3 feet wide with minimal work, aside from basic care and some pruning. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Potting media
- Pot with drainage holes and bottom tray
- Hand pruners
- Water-soluble fertilizer
Instructions
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Plant the rubber tree house plant in a lightweight potting media for best results. Use peat moss, sand and perlite in a 2-1-1 ratio. This provides good air circulation, drainage and strong root development.
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Place the plant in an area with 4 hours of direct daily sunlight. Set it 4 to 8 feet from the window. Avoid drafty windows, especially throughout the winter season.
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Provide adequate water for plant growth, but avoid excessive watering. Water to provide moist soil, allowing soil to dry to a depth of at least 1/4 inch before watering again. Place a tray under the pot and allow water to run through. Remove excess water from the bottom tray to prevent poor growth.
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Prune bottom branches and multiple trunks from the plant with a pair of sharpened hand pruners. This prevents weak branch development and a more shrub-type appearance. Weakness presents much less of a concern in an indoor environment, however.
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Fertilize on a monthly basis using a water-soluble fertilizer created for house plants. Stop fertilizing in the winter, as plant growth slows down considerably. Excess fertilizer causes yellowing and leaf drop.
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Tips & Warnings
Allow an indoor vine plant, such as pothos, to climb the trunk of this plant for a decorative touch, suggests Texas A&M University Extension.
Avoid moving this plant from one place to another. This stresses the plant, causing poor growth, yellowing foliage and leaf drop.
References
- Texas A&M University Extension: Outstanding Interior Plants
- University of Florida Extension: Ficus elastica: Rubber Tree
- University of Florida Extension: Ficus elastica 'Variegata': 'Variegata' Rubber Tree
- Purdue University Extension: Indoor Plant Care
- Texas A&M University Extension: Caring for Plants in the Home
