Variegated Rubber Plant

Instructions

Soil Preference:

1. Rubber plants require a light well draining soil.
2. A mix of potting soil and perlite will keep the roots happiest. Or try using a 100% cactus soil mix.
3. The regular soil/perlite mix is 40% potting mix to 60% perlite.
4. A heavy soil potting mix is not recommended for Rubber Tree plants.

Pot Size and repotting:

1. Rubber plants need to be planted in pots that fit the root size.
2. Any well draining pot can be used. It MUST have drainage.
3. Repot every second year or when roots come out the drainage holes on the pot bottom To the next pot size up.
4. When repotting always choose a pot that is 2-3 inches larger in diameter than the previous pot.
5. Lighting:
6. rubber plants plants require 6-8 hours of bright indirect sunlight everyday for optimal growth.
7. Turn the plant every few weeks to maintain even leaf growth
8. East facing sunny windows are best for this plant. A north or south window can burn the leaves.
9. Fiddle leaf figs cannot stand strong hot direct light. The leaves will burn and the plant will suffer.

Watering:

1. Use distilled or filtered water or let your tap water sit at least 24 hours to neutralize harmful chemicals before watering your plants.
2. Water your Ficus Elastica when the soil is dry down an inch or so. Rubber plants enjoy moist not WET soil.
3. Watering is best done on a regular schedule (try weekly) so the plant is not over or under watered. Both can cause stress on the plant.
4. This plant enjoys humidity. In dry climates rubber trees will thrive with a humidifier nearby. Or put it in your kitchen or bathroom if you have adequate light and floor space.
5. In a dry climate frequent misting will help.
6. In dormant winter months reduce watering as the plant will not need as much.
7. Never let this plant get wet feet. If the soil is compacted the bottom of the soil can remain wet. This encourages root rot and fungus gnats.
8. If you see yellow leaves on your rubber tree you are probably overwatering or the soil is too heavy.
9. If the tips of the leaves turn brown suspect Underwatering. Or too dry air.

Humidity Tips:

1. This plant likes a very humid environment. Mimic the conditions that it came from. Keep it around 40 to 60% humidity. If you find your plant needs a bit more humidity than your home provides...
2. Add a humidifier close by the plant.
3. Pebble trays also work great to help increase humidity around your plant as evaporation occurs.
4. Grouping plants close together also helps them pick up humidity from each other as they respire.
5. Finally get a good mister and regularly mist your plant leaves

How to Fertilize:

1. Apply a good quality fertilizer (linked in materials) once or twice a month during growing season. This plant requires fertilizer to maintain the large green leaves.
2. Decrease feedings by late Fall and allow plant to rest through the winter months.
3. Look for brown spots on the leaves of your plants. This may indicate an over concentration of salts in the roots from over feeding. It can burn the leaves.

Temperature:

1. Keep rubber plants at a low of 65 Degrees F. to upward of 85 Degrees F. It enjoys consistent temperatures along with warmth and humidity.
2. AVOID drafts from heat vents or cold open windows.

Pruning:

1. If your rubber tree is too tall for your home you can prune it. Pruning will result in the plant bushing out from the stem at the node below the cut into two branches.
2. Cut the stem between two nodes.
3. Severe pruning is not best practice.
4. You can lightly prune off the offshoots that grow from cut stems to keep the plant at your preferred height.

Leaf Care:

1. Rubber Plants enjoy monthly leaf washing. Washing the leaves periodically will keep the leaf pores (stomata) open so the plant can properly respire. Leaf washing also hydrates the leaf and removes pests that are trying to set up housekeeping on your rubber plant.
2. Wash the leaves gently with water and Neem oil on a monthly basis. Neem oil leaf shine will give the leaves a wonderful shine and deter pests.
3. Alternately, Milk is also a great leaf washer for adding shine to plant leaves.
4. Be sure to wash the leaf top and bottom.

Pests:

1. Rubber trees need to be checked periodically for pests.
2. Stress by longterm overwatering, poor light, extreme temperatures and soil conditions are contributors to plant stress. And makes them more susceptible to pest damage.
3. Spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, thrips and whitefly are the most common houseplant pests you will see.
4. Read our post on How to get rid of aphids and other pests with our homemade pesticide soap recipe or neems oil.
5. To minimize the possibility of pests be sure to check all nursery plants before bringing them home.
6. Quarantine all new plants until you are sure no pests live in them.

Rubber Plant Propagation:

1. Propagation is tricky and inconsistent. The best method is stem cuttings.
2. Take a cutting from a stem that is at least 18 inches long with 2-3 leaves, and 2 nodes.
3. Place cutting in jar with water, cut side down. You can also plant the stem directly in moist soil.
4. Air layering will also work for rubber plant propagation.
5. Roots will grow in 6-8 weeks.
6. Plant when roots are at least 2-3 inches long.