The Rubber Tree

AKA ficus elastica
AKA ficus decora
AKA ficus robusta

The Rubber Tree, also known as a Rubber Plant or Ficus Elastica, is one of the hardiest members of the ficus family, often times notorious for being fickle, finicky, and for some just plain difficult. That tends to not be the case with the rubber tree, whose dark burgundy leaves shine with just a little TLC. Read on for simple tips to care for the Rubber Tree!

What type of light does the Rubber Tree need?

Rubber Trees perfer bright indirect light, though they can also adjust to medium levels of light. Place your Rubber Tree no further than three to four feet away from a bright window for best results.

How to water your Rubber Tree

Consistency is key! Water your Rubber Tree when the topsoil feels dry, usually once a week to every ten days. Avoid overwatering, and keep in mind that your watering schedule may be less frequent during winter months.

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How fast does the Rubber Tree grow?

In prime conditions, the Rubber Tree is a fast grower and can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors. Fertilize your Rubber Tree 1-2 times per month in the spring and summer with indoor plant food, or foliar feed year round.

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Common problems with Rubber Trees

Yellow or brown leaves - overwatering

• Symptom - leaves turning yellow or brown, usually at the bottom of the tree

• Cause - too much water, not enough light

• Remedy - allow soil to dry out completely, sometimes this can take 2-3 weeks. Check the soil’s moisture through the drainage holes at the bottom. Overwatering can lead to more severe ailments and that may eventually require you change the soil.  

Read more about discolored leaves here.

Leaf drop - unstable temperatures

• Symptom - leaves dropping

• Cause - cold air drafts, overly dry climates, or not enough light

• Remedy - make sure your plant is placed away from air vents or cold air drafts. While rubber trees can adapt to indoor climates, they prefer warmth and high humidity. If the possible cause is not enough light, move the rubber tree to medium to brightly lit area.

Read more about Rubber Tree leaf drop.

Leaf droop - over or underwatering

• Symptom - leaves sagging or drooping

• Cause - most likely underwatering, but could also be overwatering

• Remedy - always check the soil before watering a Rubber Tree. It should be dry to the touch before watering again. If you suspect it’s been overwatered, allow soil to dry out completely before watering again.

How to maintain a beautiful and healthy Rubber Tree

Take care of your Rubber Tree and it will take care of you! Below are simple tips to continue caring for your Rubber Tree over time.

• Pruning - Remove dry or dead leaves all year round, but save any major pruning for the spring and summer months. When pruning your rubber tree, wear gloves and protect your floor with newspaper — the sap that leaks out can be sticky and damage floors. Use sharp, clean shears and cut just above the node at a 90 degree angle.

• Cleaning - Take each leaf between two soft tissue cloths and wipe off the top to reveal a healthy shine (also helps the plant soak in more light!).

• Repotting - Houseplants grow much slower than they would in the wild. Depending on the size of your plant and the density of the roots, this is nice to do every 2-3 years to provide fresh nutrients and encourage new growth.

  • When to repot - if the roots start to become visible outside the soil, it is time to consider repotting your rubber tree

  • Pot sizing - if you want your plant to grow taller, find a nursery pot that’s 2” in diameter larger than the current pot. If you want your plant to stay the same height, you can reuse the same pot and simply change the soil.

  • Get your hands dirty - spread out newspaper on the floor, remove the plant from the pot and shake off as much of the old soil as possible so that you have clean roots. Place the plant in the center of the pot, add new soil and pat down firmly. Water the soil thoroughly and place the plant in an area with bright indirect light. Your plant will take 2-4 weeks to settle from the shock and adjust to its new home.

How to propagate a Rubber Tree

Whether you want to recycle your Rubber Tree cuttings or you simply want to create a new plant, propagating the Rubber Tree is simple. Though there are many ways to do this, water propagation is generally the easiest way to go about it. Follow these instructions to propagate your Rubber Tree:

• Select a small branch to propagate - Using sharp, clean scissors or shears, cut a two to three inch branch just above a node (a leaf joint).

• Place in water - Find a clear glass and fill with water. Make sure only the stem of the branch is submerged, and no leaves are sitting in the water.

• Place in a bright area and wait! - Avoid any direct sun. You may need to change the water out every few days to keep it fresh. It could take up to several weeks for your cutting to form roots.

• Transfer to soil - After some time, you will start to see tiny white roots emerging from the cutting. Give it a few more days until the roots have grown, and then transfer to indoor potting soil. A small pot is best — no larger than 6” in diameter.

• Keep hydrated - During the first few weeks, or until your plant feels firmly rooted in its soil, regularly water and drain your plant. The soil should be just barely moist to the touch at all times.

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RUBBER TREE

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Rubber Plants and trees are among the most gorgeous and eye-catching ornamental plants for indoor or outdoor placement. You’ve likely seen them used to great effect in interior decor as well as landscaping, and have probably noticed that Rubber varieties have exceptionally glossy, luxurious leaves. But you might be surprised to learn that a plant with such a luxurious look is also genuinely easy to care for. It’s true! The Rubber Plant family, or Ficus decora, doesn’t require expert plant knowledge to thrive. There are just a few simple tenets to nurturing a thriving Rubber Plant. So read on, because we’re here to fill you in on everything you need to know before you buy a Rubber Plant or tree. A ficus frenzy awaits!

There are many varieties of Rubber Plants and trees to choose from!

Who doesn’t love options? If you’re looking to buy a Rubber Plant or Rubber Tree, you have plenty of them. Ficus decora plants are available in an array of gorgeous varieties, and they all have rich, colorful foliage and, yes, those emblematic, glossy leaves you love. Our favorite of Rubber Plants and Trees are the ones with deep tone and variegation: the burgundy-tinged classic Rubber Tree and Rubber Plant, the mint and lemon toned Tineke Rubber Plant, and the strawberry hued Pink Rubber Tree and Pink Rubber Plant.

Rubber Plants and trees require medium to bright indirect sunlight

Once you’ve decided to buy your Rubber Plant, it’s time to figure out where you’ll want to put it. Although they’re flexible and can adjust to medium light, it’s a good idea to ensure that your Rubber Plant or Rubber Tree gets as much bright, indirect sunlight as possible. The light that they receive is what causes their beautiful coloration to shine, and providing a Rubber Plant with more light will mean that its hues of burgundy and pink are bright and rich. Rubber Plants kept in darker environments will exhibit less of that rosy coloring that’s so gorgeous. Consult a light guide to ensure that you place your new Rubber Plant or tree in a spot where it’ll thrive. 

Where should I place my Rubber Plant?

Rubber Plants and Rubber Trees are flexible, so you’ll likely have plenty of options to choose from for plant placement. The most important things to keep in mind? Ensuring that your Rubber Plant is in a spot that receives ample, medium to bright indirect light, and protecting it from overwatering. If you like to water all of your plants in one go, it will be best to place your Rubber Plant away from any plants that require large amounts of water, so that you won’t run the risk of giving it an overdose that might be a perfect amount for a different plant species. Pairing plants that have similar watering requirements close together can be a good idea as well, and creating groupings of plants allows them to create a microbiome of moisture and humidity that they enjoy. 

It’s important not to overwater your Rubber Plant or tree

This is true of all plants, but equally true of Rubber Plant and Rubber Tree varieties: they do not like to be overwatered. Rubber Plant varieties require water only when their topsoil (the top two inches of soil) are dry to the touch. Get in the habit of gauging your Rubber Plant’s moisture level by manually checking it every five to seven days. You can simply stick your finger two inches down into the plant’s soil. If that soil is dry, you can water your plant according to its care instructions. If those two inches are moist, hold off on watering until they are dry. You can also use a moisture meter as a supplemental tool to support your watering routine. They’re a great way to keep an eye on moisture levels in between manual checkups, and are easy to read. Simply check the moisture meter’s window: if it is white, the plant is ready for water, and if it is blue, the soil is still moist and does not need watering. 

But overwatered Rubber Plants and trees can be corrected

We know how disappointing it is when, despite your best efforts, you overwater your plant. It can feel like a disaster, but there’s no cause for panic! Overwatered Rubber Plants and trees can be rehabilitated with a few simple steps. 

The first step is to allow the Rubber Plant’s soil to dry out as soon as possible. So when you’ve identified that your Rubber Plant has been overwatered, pull it out of its ceramic pot right away, while keeping it in its plastic nursery pot. Allow the Rubber Plant or tree’s soil in the plastic nursery pot to dry out almost entirely before placing it back in the ceramic, and begin your watering routine anew. Only this time, water it only when its top two inches of soil are entirely dry to the touch. Use a moisture meter for extra support, and don’t be surprised if it reads as “moist” for a longer period of time than you’d expect. Plants living indoors typically need less frequent watering than you’d expect!

A note on toxicity in Rubber Plants and Rubber Trees

Rubber Plants and trees contain toxins in their sap. Although the toxicity of the Ficus decora is considered to be relatively mild, it is something to keep in mind if you share your space with curious pets or kids. If your heart is set on a Rubber Plant but you’re concerned about floor or tabletop placement, you can consider utilizing one as a hanging plant. They look absolutely gorgeous in hanging baskets and macrame! And if their toxicity means that a Rubber Plant or tree is a no-go for your space, don’t panic- you still have plenty of other options!

Rubber Plants and Rubber Trees love to have their leaves cleaned

Rubber Trees are native to humid environments, where moisture in the air does the work to keep those glossy, shiny leaves clean. Plan on misting your Rubber Plant or tree every week or so with either plain water or a mixture of water and a nutrient-rich foliar feed. Allow the plant to enjoy the spritz, then wipe your Rubber Plant’s leaves with a soft cloth to remove any dust. This ensures that their leaves maintain their super-glossy aesthetic, and it helps the plant photosynthesize, which ensures that its foliage maintains vibrant coloration. 

Where to place your Rubber Plant or Rubber Tree

Understanding the amount of light that your space receives will help demystify the decision of where to place your Rubber Plant or Tree. Seeking an air-purifying boost? You can’t go wrong with placing a Rubber Plant or tree in a spot where you love optimal air quality. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, bedroom placement is a great idea. Ficus decora produces more oxygen than almost any other ornamental plant! They’re also renowned for removing up to 60% of mold spores and bacteria from the air. And if you’re looking to get the most bright, vibrant foliage possible from your Rubber Plant, make sure to place it in a room that receives lots of sunlight.

How to select a thriving, gorgeous Rubber Plant or tree

There are always a few things to look out for as you shop in order to ensure that you select the perfect plant for your home. In the case of Rubber Plant varieties, that means that you’ll want  to carefully inspect the plant’s overall foliage. Healthy Rubber Plants in prime condition will exhibit little discoloration on their foliage: they won’t have many leaves that have brown or yellow edges. Additionally, the leaves, stems and trunks of healthy Rubber Plants and trees will have a firm texture and strong limbs, and will not appear floppy or exhausted. Prime Rubber Plant foliage will be abundant and glossy, and will not feel dry to the touch.

Avoid purchasing Rubber Plants or Rubber Trees from a garden center

To ensure a lifetime of great health and a beautiful appearance, it is essential to buy any living plant from a premium grower. A new Rubber Plant or tree means that you’re investing both money and time in acquiring a gorgeous new plant friend, and you should choose the vendor that you purchase your plant from with care. 

Shopping for plants can often mean a little bit of sticker shock, and the prices at garden centers and home improvement stores can be very appealing. But it’s crucial to keep in mind that these companies are able to keep their prices low for a reason, and the quality of the plants that they offer will reflect the low price. 

Garden centers and home improvement stores tend to operate by treating all of their plants the same, even when they have wildly different care requirements- as living plants often do. (They’re unique, after all!)  When garden centers and home improvement stores use a one-size-fits-all approach to caring for their crop of plants, it often results in plants becoming overwatered and receiving incorrect light- both of which are issues that you can easily avoid by buying your new Rubber Plant or tree from a trusted grower.

It’s next to impossible to know for sure how a garden center or home improvement store cares for their plants, but when you purchase from a premium supplier, you have a wealth of information at your fingertips. Premium suppliers are happy to explain the details of how they care for their crops and can speak to the way that they water, the light they provide their plants, and the environments they grow them in. Additionally, premium growers treat plants prophylactically and as needed for pests, funguses and other ailments. This is essential, because insects have a frustrating habit of hopping from plant to plant, and funguses and viruses tend to spread- so if you can’t guarantee that the business you’re buying your new plant from is proactive in preventing these issues, there is a chance of bringing a pest or disease-ridden plant into your space, where it will spread to your other plants. We’ve seen it happen, and it’s a huge headache you’re better off avoiding. 

Another important point to consider is the issue of transit. Rubber Plants are resilient, but all living plants are vulnerable to stress and damage from transportation and significant environmental shifts. Buying a plant from a garden center or home improvement store involves many more factors that you might realize: from fluctuations in light to the risk of structural and foliage damage to the danger of shock from temperature changes and A.Cs. Plan on buying your new Rubber Plant or Rubber Tree from a premium supplier that offers doorstep delivery, and/or ships using packaging that is custom-engineered for plants. We guarantee you’ll be glad that you did! Then lean back, and enjoy the confidence of knowing that your plant has been amply protected for its journey, and well cared for leading up to it. It is worth it to protect your investment.  

Even the healthiest Rubber Plant can experience stress from time to time 

Stumbles can happen along the way with any living plant, even when it receives perfect care. But there’s no need to fret: issues are typically easily revolved with just a few tweaks in your plant care routine. At Léon & George, we offer lifelong access to our Plant Doctor service with every plant purchased. That means that our team of expert horticulturalists is available to provide assessments, tips and adjustments to your plant care routine as needed, and to generally support you as you care for your plants. There’s no catch! No fees are required. Free access to the Plant Doctor service is just one of the ways that we ensure that every plant purchased from us is designed to thrive. 

We’ve compiled a list of common problems that Rubber Plants and trees can face, as well as helpful guidance for assessing your plant’s health. Informed and impassioned plant parents are the key to our success! Click here to learn more about how to care for and grow your new Rubber Plant. 

Glossy, Luxurious and Colorful: The Rubber Plant Collection from Léon & George

Explore our selection of stunning and low-maintenance Rubber Plants and trees. From the classic, burgundy Rubber Tree to the rosy, charming Rubber Plant, our array of thriving Ficus decora varieties offer every easy care Rubber Plant variety your heart desires!

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rubber tree losing leaves

Why Is My Rubber Tree Losing Leaves?

Ah, leaf fall. We love to see it outside on a blustery autumn day, but it’s not something that any plant parent wants to see affecting their indoor greenery! And when it comes to the Rubber Tree, whose crowning glory is their profusion of glossy, high-shine leaves in shades of emerald and burgundy, their foliage is truly the stuff of legend. So, it’s natural to be concerned if you notice that your Rubber Tree, alias Ficus Elastica, is experiencing falling leaves. But not to worry- there’s a solution for every plant problem, and falling foliage is no exception. Read on as we relate the most common causes of falling foliage on Rubber Trees, and how to quickly and effectively correct the problem.

Unstable Temperatures and Humidity Levels

We’ve said it many times, but it bears repeating: indoor plants do not like cold drafts. In fact, they also don’t particularly like gusts of hot air, either. What they do like is a stable climate, with stable levels of humidity and light. So if your Rubber Tree is dropping leaves, the first step is to assess its location and make sure it is not situated near any appliance that causes drafts or fluctuations in temperature: ACs, vents, heaters and frequently opened and closed doors can all cause temperature shifts that may affect your Rubber Tree’s foliage.

Note that if you need to move your Rubber Tree, it will need to be situated in a spot that will fulfill its needs for light. Spots with bright, indirect light are best. If you suspect your plant is dry, you can mist it up to three times weekly-- but be sure that it is not close to an appliance that emits gusts of cold air before doing so.

Plant Doctor Support

In the event that you follow the steps above and your Rubber Tree’s condition does not improve, or if you’re simply having a hard time determining the cause of your plant’s particular issues, you can always reach out to our Plant Doctor service. Simply log into your Leon and George account, then select the option “Contact Plant Doctor”. Include photos of the Rubber Tree as a whole, and close-ups of any stressed area, drooping or fallen leaves. The Plant Doctor team will respond to you with their assessment and advice within 2-3 business days.

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Rubber Tree

The Rubber Tree, or Ficus Elastica, is renowned for its glossy, emerald and burgundy foliage. This lush, high-shine Ficus is a low-maintenance floor plant that lends intrigue and deeply nuanced color to any space. Low-light adaptable, the Rubber Tree requires watering only sparingly.

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Why Are The Edges of My Rubber Tree's Leaves Browning?

Rubber Trees are a standout indoor statement plant because they have gorgeous foliage. Glossy, richly colored and burgundy-tinged, the super-shiny leaves of the Rubber Tree (or Ficus Elastica as it’s also known) are its crowning glory, and make it the perfect plant to elevate spaces with minimalist aesthetics. As far as plant care goes, this variety of ficus is very easy to care for. But like any plant, it can exhibit signs of stress in the form of less-than-perfect foliage if its needs are not being met. Read on to learn why your Rubber Tree’s leaves may be experiencing browning and the edges, and what you can do to correct it.

Overwatering

It may sound counterintuitive, but Rubber Trees can exhibit browning foliage as a result of overwatering. We know that this may sound strange, given that these plants appreciate humidity and originate in the Amazon— but your indoor space differs considerably from their natural habitat. When grown indoors, within the confines of a pot, Rubber Trees simply don’t require (or desire!) copious water. You should water your plant only when its topsoil is dry to the touch-- and note that that may mean as seldom as once every three weeks or so. If you probe the soil and find that it is soggy or drenched, allow the soil to dry out entirely before watering again.

Next Steps for Light and Water

Your Rubber Tree utilizes the water it receives in accordance to its environment. The humidity and dryness of the air, as well as the amount of light it receives, have a direct effect on its water consumption, so be mindful that less bright light = water is used up more slowly by the Rubber Tree. This does not necessarily mean you need to move your plant- just that you may need to cut down on your watering. Prepare your plant for a new era of success by trimming off any significantly browning foliage by cutting the leaves off with clean, sharp scissors or shears. You an also manicure the brown areas off of otherwise healthy leaves, by trimming the brown parts off in the direction of the leaf’s growth. Once trimmed, allow your Rubber Tree to dry thoroughly before resuming your watering routine, and measure its moisture before watering by pushing a bit of the preserved reindeer moss out of the way and sticking your finger two inches down into the plant’s soil. If it is dry to the touch, you may water. Plan on using this method of manually gauging its moisture regularly.

Call The Plant Doctor

If you follow all of the instructions above, but your Rubber Tree continues to exhibit a high percentage of troubling brown foliage, reach out to our Plant Doctor team for an assessment and guidance. You can do so by logging into your Leon and George account, selecting the option to “Contact Plant Doctor”, and attaching photos of your Rubber Tree as a whole, as well as close-ups of its leaves’ brown edges. The Plant Doctor support team will respond with their thoughts and instructions for care within 2-3 business days.

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Rubber Tree

Lush, glossy emerald and burgundy foliage is the crowning glory of the Rubber Tree, a stunning and low-maintenance statement plant for any space. Adaptable to low light, the Rubber Tree requires watering only sparingly.

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How to encourage new growth by notching. Photo by @vintagerevivavls

Ficus owners—ever wonder how to make your Fiddles or Rubber Trees grow new branches? Try out a simple technique called notching.

What is notching?

Notching is a way of encouraging new growth by making a small cut in the branch of your plant. In a way, you're making a deep incision that causes your plant to panic. Yes, sounds painful at first, but then your plant will try to relieve itself by growing new shoots!

How to use the notching technique on your plants

There are just a few simple steps to encourage new growth on your plants through notching:

1. Find the nodes - pick an area where you'd like a new branch to grow. Identify where the nodes are, small bumps on the trunk, usually with some space between each one. 

2. Make the cut - Take a sharp clean knife and make an angled cut about 1/4 of the way through the trunk. You should immediately see a white sticky sap, indicating you've made the cut correctly! Wipe up the sap with a wet towel so it doesn't drip everywhere, and note that this sap can be irritable for sensitive skin.

3. Wait - Make sure your plant is getting bright light and on a consistent watering schedule. Mist the leaves every now and then to create humidity. In a few weeks, you should start to see one or multiple tiny bumps in the area that you cut. Be patient as these grow out and enjoy your fuller ficus!

What to do when Notching doesn’t work

After a few months, if this technique doesn't seem to be working don't worry. Expert Ficus owners report that this method works about 50% of the time. You can try again, or stay tuned for other upcoming tips!

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Rubber Tree

With dark leaves and crimson casings holding new leaves, perfect for decorators that want plants in other colors than green.

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Why Are The Leaves of My Rubber Tree Yellowing and Pale?

There’s so much to love about the gorgeous Rubber Tree. With richly hued, glossy leaves tinged with shades of burgundy, the Rubber Tree, or Ficus Elastica, is vivid and stunning. It’s also low-maintenance: this ficus variety is easy-care and tolerant of varied light. But as with any plant, its foliage is often the first area through which the plan exhibits stress. And in some cases, this can mean pale, yellowing leaves on your previously verdant and colorful Rubber Tree. There are solutions! Read on to learn the most common causes of yellow, pale Rubber Tree foliage and how to correct the issue.

Overwatering

Far and away the most common culprit of yellowing, pale leaves on Rubber Trees is overwatering. Improper soil moisture is a common problem among all indoor plants, and Rubber Trees are no exception. Although it’s true that they appreciate misting (they are originally from the humid Amazon) indoor spaces are a far cry from their home turf, and overwatering causes systemic stress that often results in pale, yellow leaves, which may droop and fall off entirely.

Rubber Trees do not require, or prefer, copious amounts of water. You should water your plant only when its topsoil is dry to the touch. This may result in watering only every few weeks. Don’t be alarmed! Each plant has its own rhythm. So if you probe the soil with your finger and find it to be thoroughly soggy or drenched, you’ve identified the cause of the yellow, pale leaves: and you need to let your Rubber Tree’s soil dry out entirely before you resume watering.

Inconsistent temperatures

Rubber Trees don’t love sudden changes in temperature. If your plant undergoes very cold (or hot) spells, for example, when you are traveling and not using climate control at home, this may result in your plant feeling stressed due to changes in its environment. A stressed Rubber Tree will either start to show yellow leaves or leaf drop.

How to avoid yellow leaves on your Rubber Tree

The best way to avoid yellow leaves on your Rubber Tree is to water your plant correctly and consistently.

When it comes to how much water your Rubber Tree needs, there are a few things that come into play. The amount of light that it receives, the season and the dryness or humidity of its environment are all factors. utilizes the water it receives in accordance to its environment. That’s why the method of manually probing your Rubber Tree’s soil to gauge moisture is so valuable: it’s foolproof! So if your Rubber Tree has been severely overwatered, allow it to dry out entirely before resuming your watering routine. Then, start fresh by maintaining a routine of measuring its moisture levels before watering by pushing aside a portion of its decorative moss and sticking your finger two inches down into the plant’s soil. When it it dry to the touch, it is time to water. Use this method of manually gauging its moisture regularly, and water only when topsoil is dry.

More Support

If you follow the steps above and your Rubber Tree does not improve and continues to experience pale and yellowing foliage, our Plant Doctor service is here to help. Reach out to them by logging into your Léon & George account, then select the option “Contact Plant Doctor”. Be sure to include photos of your Rubber Tree as a whole, as well as close-ups of any yellowing and pale foliage. Our Plant Doctor team will get back to you with an assessment and guidance within 2-3 business days.

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Rubber Tree

With glossy, lush foliage in shades of deep emerald and burgundy, the Rubber Tree is a vibrant, low-maintenance statement plant that is perfect for any space in need of vivid color. Low-light adaptable, the Rubber Tree requires watering only sparingly.

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