Product Description:
Ficus elastica more commonly known as a rubber plant is a popular houseplant because of its waxy leaves and larger-than-life appearance. Rubber plants can grow up to 100 feet in their native homeland of Southeast Asia. It has wide, glossy green leaves. Rubber plants do best in rooms with medium light levels, so not too close to a window or too far from it, and with a good level of humidity.
Light:
Rubber plants love lots of bright, diffused light. They can tolerate soft morning sunlight but should be moved out of the line of harsh direct rays in the afternoon as they can singe the leaves.
Soil:
Rubber plants don’t like to sit in water, so a well-draining soil is important.
Water:
Water your rubber plant frequently—they like to be kept steadily moist but not soaked.
Temperature:
65°F-85°F (18°C-30°C). It’s best not to let it go below 60°F (15°C).
Humidity:
Rubber plant prefers moderately cool, moist and humid air. For humidity, you can use a humidifier or set it on a tray with pebbles and water.
Fertilizer:
Feed the plant a weak liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. They are relatively heavy feeders when healthy.
Repotting:
You should repot your rubber plant to allow it to grow. You may need to do this every few years or every year depending on how large your pot is and how quickly your rubber plant grows.
Propagation:
The easiest way to propagate is to take a small branch from a healthy rubber plant and let it root in soil or water. You want to let the sap from the stem dry first before planting. Another way to propagate is by air layering. To do this, make a cut in a healthy plant and stick a toothpick in the opening. Wrap it in damp moss and then wrap plastic wrap around the moss to keep it on the toothpick. Once you start to see roots growing in the moss, cut the branch off and plant it in new soil.
