Burgundy Rubber Plant Care
- Lighting. Locate the “Burgundy” rubber plant in the brightest light available. Direct sunlight produces the darkest...
- Temperature. This plant adapts to normal indoor temperatures, but grows slower than normal. The ideal temperature for...
- Watering. This plant needs watering only when the soil becomes dry. Pour water into the top of the plant...
Full Answer
How to take care of a rubber plant?
- Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’ – large variegated leaves with cream margins
- Ficus elastica ‘Abidjan’ – burgundy flushed leaves
- Ficus elastica ‘Robusta’ – similar to the species but with wider, glossier leaves
When to prune a rubber plant?
Rubber Plant Care Tips
- Place the plant in an area with both adequate sunlight and shade.
- The plant should be fertilized every 15 days.
- These plants require accurate water and need soil that drains water well.
- The humidity level required for this plant is minimum 50%.
- Clean the leaves regularly with the help of a damp cloth.
How do you care for rubber plants?
Then, how do you take care of a baby rubber plant?
- General Care.
- Sunlight. Medium to bright indirect light but can tolerate low, indirect light. …
- Water. Water once or twice a week, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. …
- Humidity. Don’t sweat it. …
- Temperature. Average home temperature of 65°F-75°F. …
- Soil. Potting mix with good drainage.
- Size. …
- Common Problems.
How to care for your stunning variegated rubber plant?
- Clean the plant leaves with a damp cloth or sponge to take off dirt or dust. The layer of dust can clog the pores responsible for photosynthesis.
- If the leaves are losing color, then it is a sign of low light exposure. ...
- Keep the rubber plant away from the AC vents.
- Avoid placing the rubber plant in a complete shade. ...
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How do you take care of burgundy rubber plants?
The Burgundy Rubber Tree enjoys average room temperatures of 65-78 degrees. Avoid temperatures below 55 degrees, sudden temperature drops, or cold drafts. Feed once a month during the spring and summer with a liquid fertilizer for indoor plants. Rubber Tree leaves are mildly toxic to humans and pets.
Should I mist my burgundy rubber plant?
Burgundy rubber plants are of a tropical origin, so they enjoy a humid environment. To maintain its moisture, mist your house plant's leaves from time to time, especially in warm summers. Misting also helps keep damaging insects from munching at the leaves. The burgundy rubber plant thrives in bright direct light.
How much light does a burgundy rubber plant need?
bright indirect lightAs for light requirements, this indoor plant thrives in bright indirect light. Low light or indirect lighting with indoor plants is tolerated but leads to less vibrant colored foliage. Outdoors Burgundy Ficus grows well in full sun or bright indirect light.
How often do you water burgundy rubber plant?
every 1-2 weeksIt is best to water your Rubber Tree every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Where should I place a rubber plant in my house?
Rubber plants thrive with bright, indirect sunlight. Ideally, they should receive morning light from an east-facing window. Place your plant near a window where a sheer drape or curtain filters the light. Avoid placing your rubber plant in a spot that receives direct sunlight because the leaves can begin to burn.
Why is my burgundy rubber plant dropping leaves?
A rubber plant will also drop its leaves when overwatered. As Emilly explains, 'most people think that leaves will drop due to under-watering, but it's often due to overwatering especially if plants are drought resistant like the rubber plant. ' Watering plants only when they need it is key to keeping them healthy.
How fast does burgundy rubber plant grow?
Rubber Plants are quick growers, growing as much as 24″ in a season!
Is rubber plant an indoor plant?
If you are looking for an indoor plant that makes a bold statement, then look no further than a Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica). Besides being an attractive low maintenance plant, it also purifies the indoor air. Common names Rubber fig, Rubber plant.
Can I put my rubber plant outside in the summer?
Outdoors. If you live in U.S. zones 10 and 11, you can grow rubber plants outdoors. (If you are able to protect them during the winter, zone 9 is possible as well.) Otherwise, keep them in a container to bring in during the colder months, once it dips to 30 degrees.
Should I cut brown leaves off rubber plant?
Rubber Plants are far from being succulents, but they do have some tolerance for dry spells. Let them dry out slightly between waterings to let their roots breathe. Sadly, brown leaves won't return to health. The good news is the plant can grow quickly to replace the damage once the problem is remedied.
Does rubber plant need 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.
What does an overwatered rubber plant look like?
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. If the yellow/brown spots are spreading from the inner part of the leaf and out, that's again a sign of overwatering.
How tall is a Burgundy rubber plant?
In frost-free climates, this plant reaches 40-feet tall when planted in the ground in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. In cooler climates, the “Burgundy” rubber plant grows as a houseplant.
Do Burgundy rubber plants need water?
Do not splash the leaves since this will cause stains. “Burgundy” rubber plants do not like waterlogged roots.
What light do you need to grow burgundy rubber?
Light Requirements. Your Burgundy Rubber will grow best with consistent, bright, filtered light —which produces the dark, burgundy color of the leaves. Many people put their rubber trees near a window where the light is filtered through a pair of sheer curtains.
Why do you mist burgundy rubber?
As a native to the tropics, your Burgundy Rubber will appreciate you misting its leaves to increase humidity —especially when it gets very warm in the summer. Misting regularly also helps to keep the mites (damaging insects) from making themselves at home on the leaves.
Ficus Elastica Burgundy Care Guide
The burgundy rubber tree is a resilient plant, and with a little bit of trial and error anyone can make this house plant happy. The key to ficus burgundy care is proper lighting and making sure that the soil dries out between waterings.
How to Propagate Ficus Burgundy Rubber Tree
The burgundy plant can be propagated from a stem cutting. It is important to be careful when propagating this plant as its sap can cause both skin and eye irritation. We suggest working with gloves on and ensuring you wash your hands after completing the project.
Is Ficus Elastica Burgundy Toxic?
All rubber tree sap is an irritant to both the skin and eyes of humans. The milky sap that is exposed when the plant is cut can produce rash and swelling eyes.
Common Problems With Ficus Burgundy
While burgundy ficus care is fairly simple, this plant can be picky about a few things. Moving the burgundy rubber tree or inconsistent watering can cause it to drop leaves and cause alarm. Thankfully, these issues can be fixed and prevented.
Understanding Rubber Plant Basics
Rubber tree plants are native to India and Southeast Asia, where they grow in dappled sunlight under taller trees. Known by the botanical name Ficus elastica, rubber trees take their name from the latex in their milky sap. In some countries, that sap is still farmed to create low-grade rubber.
Caring for Rubber Tree Plants
Despite the rubber tree plant's tropical origins, it's surprisingly adaptable to growing indoors. Just give it time to adjust to changes and typical in-home temperatures, humidity and lighting serve rubber trees well.
Troubleshooting Rubber Plant Problems
The most common culprits behind rubber plant problems are improper watering and poor growing conditions. When problems such as curling yellow leaves or droopy, dropping leaves happen suddenly, look for abrupt changes in the environment.
How tall do rubber trees grow?
In the jungles of India and Malaysia, this plant can grow up to 100 feet tall. But indoors, a rubber tree typically tops out at 6 to 10 feet tall.
What is the difference between a rubber tree and a doescheri tree?
‘Decora’ has the classic dark green leaves with white ribs. ‘Doescheri’ is a pretty variegated variety . ‘Rubra’ has pretty burgundy leaves. But no matter which one you choose, they all need similar care.
Do rubber trees like light?
Rubber trees like bright light, although they can adjust to lower light levels. They don’t like sudden drops in temperature, so don’t put them too close to drafty windows. If your room seems dark, get a grow light to provide overhead light so the plant can grow upright.
What Soil Works Best for a Rubber Plant?
An all-purpose potting mix works best for a rubber plant due to its well-draining soil. Coffee grounds are suitable for this plant only in compost, mulch, or liquid fertilizer. However, don’t add coffee grounds to the all-purpose potting mix, as this can lead to issues like attracting bugs, growing fungus, and stunting the plant’s growth.
How Much Sun Does a Rubber Tree Need?
Indirect light tends to works best for a rubber tree. Consider placing the plant in front of an eastern or western facing window with a sheer curtain in your home that receives consistent bright light. However, be careful about direct sunlight as it can burn the plant’s leaves, which is why the curtain is essential.
What Temperature Works Best?
Room temperature between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit works best for this plant. With the plant initially from Southeast Asia’s rainforests, it enjoys more humid environments over hot climates.
Does this Plant Like Humidity?
A rubber plant enjoys humid environments, so consider placing this plant in your bathroom that has a shower. A hot shower can create a similar topical environment, which the plant prefers. Also, consider placing this plant on a pebble tray since the water evaporating on the rocks creates additional humidity in the air.
How Often Do You Need to Water a Rubber Plant?
It is best to water this plant when the top inch or so of soil becomes dry. It is best to keep the soil moist during the spring and summer since most of the growth occurs then. During the dormant season in the winter, you can water the plant less often.
What Size Does it Grow To Typically?
For indoor settings, you can expect the rubber tree plant to grow around six or so feet. However, out in the wild can have this grow well over 100 feet.
Most Common Disease
Root Rot is one of the most common problems for this plant from overwatering. Common signs of root rot include yellow leaves and drooping. If you think you have root rot on a rubber tree plant, you must do a few things.
What kind of soil should I use for a rubber plant?
Typically, any good, fast-draining potting soil will likely do—many indoor gardeners opt for a cactus mix. In addition, rubber plants prefer an acidic soil mixture. Like fiddle leaf fig trees (which many believe they resemble), they also "eat" their soil and will eventually have their roots exposed.
How hot should I keep a rubber tree?
Generally, rubber trees are best kept in moderate to warm temperatures between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with moderate humidity as well. If your home tends to be dry, invest in a space humidifier to increase the levels.
What color are rubber plants?
The rubber plant has waxy-looking leaves that start out a pink-coral hue, eventually deepening to a dark rich green. As the rubber plant grows it will begin to droop, so it's important that you help support them by using a long wooden dowel (or bamboo stalk) to help keep them upright.
What are the pests that can be found in rubber plants?
Rubber plants are vulnerable to a variety of pests that typically infest indoor houseplants, including aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites, scale, and thrips. 2 If possible, identify the infestation as early as possible and treat it with the least toxic option, like neem oil.
How tall does a rubber plant grow?
It boasts oversized, oval-shaped leaves that are a rich emerald hue, and can grow quickly, reaching up to 100 feet tall in its natural habitat. However, it's more often grown indoors as a houseplant, where it can be planted and cared for year-round and its size kept more manageable. When it comes to caring for a rubber plant, ...
How to keep indoor plants from stretching?
They are relatively heavy feeders when healthy. Some experts recommend only lightly fertilizing indoor plants to prevent stretching and plants becoming root-bound because they grow too fast.
Can rubber plants be propagated from cuttings?
Rubber plants can be propagated from leaf-tip cuttings, but it is not particularly straight-forward and is probably easier to just buy a potted plant. If you take cuttings, use a rooting hormone and be vigilant about high humidity and plenty of warmth. Do not be discouraged if they do not propagate easily.
How to grow rubber plants?
If this is the case, simply scrape off the top half inch to inch (1.2 to 2.5 cm.) of soil and replace it with an equal layer of potting soil, compost, or another medium that contains slow-releasing nutrients . ...
Can you repot rubber trees?
If you’re looking up how to repot rubber tree plants, you probably already have one. Whether you have the variety ‘Rubra,’ with dark green leaves and light-colored mid-veins, or ‘Tricolor,’ with variegated leaves, their needs are essentially the same. Rubber plants don’t mind being grown in pots because they originate in Southeast Asian rainforests where, like most rainforests, the soil layer is very thin and plants typically don’t root as deeply as those in temperate forests. Keep reading to learn more about rubber tree plant potting.
Do rubber trees need to be potted?
Potting it up is especially necessary if the rootball appears to be girdled, or growing around the sides of the pot.
