How to grow Rubber Tree

Ficus elastica

Just like many of it’s relatives Rubber trees do not like to be moved around or to have frequent changes in temperature or light.

It likes bright, indirect light but may become accustomed to full sun for at least a portion of the day (especially the variegated varieties).

Water when soil is quite dry (almost to the bottom of the pot) and then completely soak.

Clean the leaves periodically, with warm water and a soft cloth, to remove the dust and improve photosynthisis and reveal its beautiful smooth shiny leaves.

Rubber plant prefers lower cooler temperatures and indirect light

As the plant grows, pot on gradually and when the pot has reached about 17cm in subsequent years replace only a few cm of loose compost at the top or base of the plant. To do this, take the plant out of the pot and lightly disturb the roots knocking off a proportion of the old compost. Add a hand full or two of fresh compost to the old pot and replace the plant. Top up the plant pot with new compost, tapping the pot to settle it down to the roots. Water as needed. This refreshes the plant without ending up with a houseplant that is difficult to move or assess its water requirements because the pot has got too big to move.

Growing Rubber tree from seed

Unlikely to find seed available.
Rubber plants can be grown by ‘layering’ a mature plant. This involves pressing moist spagnum moss onto the stem around a leaf joint after injuring the stem tissue by making a small cut. Apply rooting hormone powder to the cut and secure the moss with wire or string, covering loosely in cling film. Check every now and a gain that the moss remains moist and that the stem is still healthy. After a few months, roots are formed under the moss bandage.

Transplanting Rubber tree

To propagate take stem cuttings in spring. To keep the sap from forming a cap on the base of the cutting, place it in water for about 1/2 hour. Remove from the water and dip the cut surface in rooting hormone. Then, insert it into moist potting mix to root.1

Rubber plant enjoys a peaty mix that is kept evenly moist and is happy in indirect light as a houseplant

Rubber tree is tender, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside - as a guideline, the minimum temperature outside should be approximately 12°C / 54°F.

How long does Rubber tree take to grow?

These estimates for how long Rubber tree takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

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Days to Maturity How long until Rubber tree is ready for harvest / bloom?
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Rubber tree Etymology

Rubber Plant gets its name from the sticky sap that dries into a low-quality rubber.1

Rubber tree Folklore & Trivia

The plant is non toxic.2 However it may cause a reaction to those with latex allergies.3 There is debate on toxicity to pets.

Other names for Rubber tree

Rubber fig, Rubber ficus, Rubber plant, Indian rubber bush

Ficus decora, Ficus cordata Ficus robusta

Footnotes

1 Rubber Plant on Guide-To-Houseplants.com

2 Toxicity of common houseplants-University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension

3 Houseplants and Latex Allergy-Associated Content


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