How To Water A Rubber Plant

How to water a rubber plant

How often should you water a Rubber Tree? It is best to water your Rubber Tree every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Opt for the more frequent end of the range when the plant is receiving more light, such as in spring or summer, and in the fall or winter, reduce the frequency.

Should you water a rubber plant from the top or bottom?

When you water your rubber tree, be sure that the water reaches every part of the root system. You could water it from the top and let the excess water run down the drainage holes, or you could bottom-water it and wait about 30 min for the plant to absorb all the water it needs and then throw out the excess water.

How do I know if my rubber plant needs water?

Let the top few inches of the soil dry in between waterings to make sure you don't overwater. If the leaves start to droop, then your rubber plant is telling you it needs more water.

Do rubber plants need direct sunlight?

Bright, indirect light is ideal for growing the Rubber Plant, however they are unusually tolerant of lower light spaces for a ficus. To keep the plant happiest though, it is commonly recommended to place it by a southern facing window with sheer curtains for the brighter light to filter through.

Should I mist my rubber plant?

Watering Rubber Trees Water the plant once a week and mist the leaves with water or gently wipe them with a damp cloth. In the winter, when rubber plants are dormant, it's okay if the soil becomes dry between waterings. Water them every 2 to 3 weeks during this time.

Where should I place a rubber plant in my house?

Rubber plants like bright light and a lot of it, but not direct sunlight. A sunny spot shielded by a sheer curtain is often perfect for rubber plants. You can tell if your rubber plant needs more light if it becomes leggy, its leaves lose their luster, and lower leaves fall off.

How long can a rubber plant go without water?

Rubber Plant Watering it once every 15 days is the key to optimum growth. During fall and winter, you can reduce it down to once a month.

Do rubber plants like small pots?

Rubber plants enjoy being a little pot-bound, which means that they like to have their roots crowded within their container. However, keeping them in the same pot too long will stunt their growth. What is this? Moving them to a larger pot will allow them to grow bigger.

How wet do rubber plants like to be?

The Ficus Elastica is a plant that's very sensitive to overwatering. It doesn't like to be wet, but also doesn't do well when it's in dry soil. It's best to keep its soil moist most of the time and you should water it when the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the soil is dry.

What does an unhealthy rubber plant look like?

Leaves are Turning Brown and Dropping Usually if leaves turn brown and crispy the Rubber Plant isn't getting enough water. So what is happening is that the leaves start to dry out and they drop when the plant decides that it needs to put all of it's energy into saving the living leaves.

Why do rubber plants drop their leaves?

Rubber plants come from a tropical place where water is plentiful, and because of this, they have a pretty low tolerance for drought. Leaves will begin to wilt and subsequently drop if you forget to water them for even a few days. That said, rubber plants don't like to be too moist either.

How hard is it to keep a rubber plant alive?

Rubber plants are easy to care for and can grow quickly under the right conditions. They're sturdy, tolerant and simple to please. Keep their soil slightly moist, make sure they get plenty of sunshine, and if you're at a comfortable temperature, they'll be comfortable too.

Should you let a rubber plant dry out?

Rubber plant is a hardy species that tolerates dry soil quite well, so prefer staying on the under-watering side. If the older leaves (usually the largest ones, at the bottom) are becoming yellow or brown, that's a sign of overwatering. Let it dry out fully during longer periods of time between waterings.

How long do rubber plants live?

Rubber tree plants can live for many years. In the wild, some rubber plant species have been known to live for more than 100 years routinely. A rubber plant may live 10 years or longer when grown as an indoor houseplant.

How do you encourage a rubber plant to grow?

Here are 3 options you have when pruning your rubber plant to encourage bushier growth:

Cut it off and discard. If you don't wish to propagate your plant, prune your rubber plant and discard the parts that you chopped off.
Propagate in water or soil.
Air layer your plant before cutting it off.

Should I shower my rubber plant?

Unfortunately, the large, broad leaves of the plant are an ideal place for dust to settle. So, if you want to do something good for your rubber plant, take a damp cloth and wipe the leaves with it from time to time. But if that is too much work, you can simply give the tree a cold shower.

How do you care for an indoor rubber plant?

Sun. However what i recommend for this plant is late afternoon sun or early morning sun if you keep

Is it OK to keep rubber plant in bedroom?

The rubber plant is low maintenance, hardy and does very well indoors. With its striking leaves, it's a great addition to your bedroom. It purifies the air, according to NASA, but is toxic.

Can I put my rubber plant in my bathroom?

A bathroom with lots of natural light would suit them well as there is naturally more humidity in the air. Although most houseplants want to be re-potted yearly in the spring, the Rubber Plant likes their roots to be cramped and compact so only need potting into something larger every 2-3 years.

When should I repot my rubber plant?

When to Repot a Rubber Plant. Every two to three years repot in spring when the plant is actively growing. The soil will have lost its nutrients and will need to be replaced with fresh well-draining potting soil. Pumice or perlite can be added to help aerate the soil and improve drainage.