DIG THIS
Rubber tree (Ficus elastica) gets its common name from the liquid latex sap it produces.
If you ever cut or snap a stem, you will notice a milky substance oozing out of it. What you are seeing is essentially liquid rubber! This sap will callous over, so it’s not a cause for alarm for your plant. However, it’s important to always wash your hands after touching the sap and to keep your furry friends from nibbling on it.
Needs Some Love
Indirect Sunlight
Water When Dry
Not Pet Safe
INDIRECT SUNLIGHT
AVOID HARSH SUN
Rubber Trees can tolerate low light, but may start to look leggy or drop lower leaves.
FIND YOUR LIGHT
Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.
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SOUTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹
EAST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹
⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants
WEST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹
⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants
NORTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹
⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!
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WATER WHEN DRY
A Rubber Tree's thick leaves store water, so it doesn’t need to be watered daily.
Overwatering can lead to root rot. Make sure its pot has good drainage.
LOW TO MODERATE HUMIDITY
It isn’t fussy, so indoor humidity is fine.
However, if you live in a drier environment, consider using a humidifier to boost humidity levels.
SOIL
RUBBER TREE DIGS A LIGHT AND AIRY MIX
When choosing a potting mix for this houseplant, look for mixes that include:
PERLITE
PERLITE
Looks like tiny white popcorn bits mixed into the soil. Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.
ORCHID BARK
Looks like chunky, reddish-brown wood chips. Adds airflow and helps keep soil from getting too dense.
COCO COIR
Looks like fluffy, light brown fibers like shredded coconut husk (what it's made from). Helps hold moisture without making the soil too wet.
COMMON ISSUES
YELLOWING
Yellowing leaves/edges is a possible sign of overwatering. Soil that has been overwatered can lead to root rot.
Remove affected leaves. Dry out soil completely (1-5 days). Adjust your watering schedule for this plant.
If problem persists and/or you suspect root rot: remove from pot, trim away dead mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.
DROOPING
A sign of not enough sunlight or inconsistent watering.
Move the Rubber Tree to a brighter spot and adjust your watering schedule. It may also shed leaves when adjusting to a new environment!
BROWNING / CRISPING
Often due to low humidity or soil kept too dry.
Typically a Rubber Tree does not need high humidity, but in drier climates a humidifier will keep it from browning.
SLOW or NO GROWTH
A little harder to diagnose. This could be due to insufficient light, cooler temperatures or it is simply in a dormant phase.
Make sure to keep it in bright, indirect light and out of colder temperatures. It may naturally go dormant, but you can also try fertilizing monthly to keep its nutrients balanced.
PESTS
Sometimes issues can be the result of a pest infestation. Watch out for these creepy crawlers:
Aphids
Fungus Gnats
Mealybugs
Spider Mites
Scale
