Rubber Plant Care Guide: How to Grow Rubber Tree Houseplants

A rubber plant or rubber tree (Ficus elastica) is an ornamental houseplant that grows between six and ten feet tall indoors and features large, shiny leaves. Most varieties of rubber plants have dark green leaves, but the black prince and burgundy rubber plants have blackish-red leaves. The milky latex sap of rubber trees is essential to the manufacturing of natural rubber.

To ensure your rubber plant reaches its full potential, provide it with the optimal growing conditions.

• Environment: Rubber plants grow best as indoor trees, but if you live in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11 you can grow an outdoor rubber plant. Outdoor rubber plants can grow up to 30 feet tall, so make sure your plant has enough room to spread out.
• Light: Rubber plants thrive in bright, indirect light. Providing the perfect amount of bright light for your rubber plant is a delicate balancing act, as direct sunlight may scorch the leaves while low light levels can cause the lower leaves to fall off.
• Soil type: A well-aerated potting mix with good drainage is ideal. Rubber plants tolerate both alkaline and acidic soils.
• Temperature: Rubber plants grow best in warm temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but during the winter they can survive temperatures as low as 50 degrees. Average to high humidity is best, so you may want to mist your rubber plant's leaves if the air is too dry.
• Watering regimen: Water your rubber plant when the soil becomes slightly dry to the touch. The plant has a decent drought tolerance, so it's better to water sparingly than too frequently. Water the plant until the soil is moist but not oversaturated. Soggy soil may cause root rot, so make sure your rubber plant's container has drainage holes for excess water to escape. During the winter dormant season, the rubber plant may require less water than during the growing season.

Follow these tips to keep your rubber plant thriving year-round.

1. 1. Fertilize during the summer growing season. Using a liquid fertilizer, fertilize your rubber plant monthly during the growing season and every other month in the fall. Refrain from fertilizing during the dormant winter months.
2. 2. Clean your plant’s leaves with a damp cloth. Your rubber plant's glossy leaves will collect dust over time, which prevents the plant from photosynthesizing properly. Wipe down each leaf with a damp cloth when necessary.
3. 3. Wash your hands after touching your plant. A rubber plant's sap may cause skin irritation and can cause vomiting if ingested, so be careful when handling and thoroughly wash up afterwards. The sap is also poisonous to pets, so take the necessary precautions to keep the plant away from animals.
4. 4. Use an insecticidal soap to get rid of pests. Aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites, and scale insects may plague your rubber plant, but you can eliminate these pests with an insecticidal soap.
5. 5. Prune your rubber plant. Pruning a rubber tree plant controls its size and promotes new growth. You can prune any time of year, but pruning in the spring before the growing season begins is ideal. Wear skin protection when pruning, as snipping its branches will expose you to the plant's latex sap.
6. 6. Repot your rubber plant if you want it to grow. Your rubber plant will only grow as large as its container allows. If you'd like your rubber plant to grow larger, repot it every year or two to make sure it has the space it needs. Choose a new pot that is one to two inches wider in diameter than your plant’s current pot.

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