Ficus rubber tree is one of the most common indoor plants and prefers light, warmer, and sunny areas The first thing in the planting and care of the ficus rubber tree is the choice of the appropriate place for this plant Ficus rubber tree like a lot of light and should be placed in a warm and sunny place It is an indoor plant that requires a warm and sunny environment.

It is a preferred indoor plant because of its light requirement for growth and the capacity it has to purify air, as suggested by NASA. This plant also has quite an interesting history as it is a source of latex and, therefore, is commonly referred to as the rubber fig, or rubber tree. Some people in tropical Northeastern India use the roots of this plant to construct “living bridges” by threading them across the dead trees placed across rivers.

Understanding Rubber Plant Basics

Rubber plants are usually cultivated in their indigenous setting, where they may attain heights of between 50-100 feet, but indoor rubber trees differ greatly while still maintaining almost identical sizes within captivity: For example, it is possible for dwarf rubber plant varieties to only reach two feet tall, whereas other common rubber plant species can achieve heights of about ten feet under appropriate growth conditions. The leaves of the rubber tree can be glossy green, reddish-brown, or pinkish with greenish and creamy colorations, and the size of a rubber tree's leaves can be from a few inches long to a foot and even more.

As with many other fig plants, the Ficus rubber tree plants are rather sensitive to changes in their environment and do not like it when they are suddenly altered. One should avoid taking the plant to new areas or changing its environment abruptly to avoid the habit of the plant dropping its leaves.

Although native to tropical regions of South and Central America, the rubber tree plant is amenable to growing indoors. It is therefore suited to typical home temperatures, humidity, and light, and needs time to acclimatise when moved or conditions are changed.

Light

Rubber plants thrive well under bright but indirect light sources like the natural light from east-facing windows. Do not take them outside during the hottest part of the day, as their large leaves will wilt under the sun. As much as the rubber trees can grow in low light intensity, supplementing them with more light intensity will help the stems gain more strength.

Soil

Rubber plants prefer well-draining soil since they have aerial roots that help absorb moisture and are more effective when the soil is well-aerated. An ideal commercial potting mix that can be purchased at local stores for indoor container growing is ideal for growing rubber trees because it has the right blend of moisture retention and drainage.

Water

Rubber trees can withstand a certain degree of dryness but cannot withstand too much water or lack of it, and this leads to the dropping of the leaves. This means that there should be some time between the periods of watering and rain to have slightly dry soil. It is important to avoid leaving the plant in a state where the stem and most of the leaves are drooping. In winter, water the rubber tree less often because it absorbs fewer quantities of water during this season.

Troubleshooting Rubber Plant Problems

Some of the common problems associated with rubber plants include water over/under–administration and unfavorable environmental conditions. If the leaves start curling, turning yellow, or drooping, this may be due to changes in the environment, for instance, a new location, changes in either watering, feeding, or seasonal changes.

Sometimes, rubber plants will naturally drop the older, lower leaves; however, if all or most of the leaves are completely yellow or dropping, there might be an issue. The problem of overwatering is familiar to many plant owners, including those who have rubber trees and a large number of other indoor plants

It is also noteworthy that all parts of rubber plants are toxic to dogs, cats, and other people if eaten, meaning you may need to be cautious when bearing these plants around your residence. There are those who may develop a skin rash upon direct contact; hence, they should always have protective gloves on while handling this plant. Thus, it is paramount that individuals who take care of babies or small kids keep away the latter as well as their pets from these kinds of vegetation.