Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica aka Rubber Plant is one of my favorite low maintenance houseplants. I love their waxy foliage and propagate from cuttings easily. Rubber plants are known to remove air pollutants from your indoor spaces, (it works for you!)
Ficus elastica ‘Robusta’
FIcus elastica ‘Tri Color’
Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’
Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy’
Ficus elastica ‘ Decora’
Ficus elastica ‘ Doescheri’
Ficus elastica ‘ Red Ruby’
Ficus elastica ‘ Yellow Gem’
Light -
Indirect bright light - north/east-facing windows or shaded south- and west-facing ones, or a few feet back from a unshaded south- or west-facing window.
Low Light Tolerant - east-facing windows*
Ficus elastica ‘ Burgundy’ is one of the most low light tolerant of the bunch.
If not sufficient light you will notice the ficus not dry down like it needs. This will cause the Rubber plant to lose interior leaves or lower leaves as it tries to accommodate to the light. Keep an eye on any changes of your plant and adjust with grow lights or a sunnier indirect bright light location.
Either closer to the window to absorb more indirect bright light but up to 6 ft away as long as you can still cast a shadow in the location will provide enough light. Keep an eye on how its being watered in these different locations.
Temperature & Humidity:
Tropical plants do best in a humid and slightly warm environment. They thrive best above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and they love a light misting of water.
A little misting goes a long way with Ficus as they do like humidity.
If your plant gets too dry, it may begin to develop brown tips on its leaves. In the event that this happens, placing it next to a humidifier will help avoid further damage to the leaves.
If your Rubber Plant gets too cold, it may suffer from shock and may even die. Ensure that you are placing this plant away from any drafty windows or A/C vents that could blow cold air onto your plant.
Water:
Water well. Check every 7-10 days.
Ensuring all excess water drains and plant is not sitting in any excess water. (Always recommend pots with drainage holes and saucers)
Rubber plants do not need to be watered frequent and it is a plant that can go slightly dry between waterings especially if your Rubber Plant is hanging out in the lower light areas.
Overwatering - can cause your plant to die, and wilted or soft leaves that have yellowed are often a sign of overwatering. It is preferable to keep your soil slightly moist, letting it dry out in between waterings and if in doubt let it dry out! Many different factors can change your watering schedule.
Sunlight and seasons affect how quickly a plant will drink water and you just adapt to those changes. That’s what makes it fun!