5 Steps to Growing Rubber Plant
- Select a suitable sized pot with good drainage
- Add a layer of indoor plant mix to plant into
- Choose a spot in bright light near an east facing window
- Water thoroughly every 7-10 days and allow to properly drain
- Apply a general purpose fertiliser once a month during the growing season
Follow our full guide and plant care tips to growing Rubber Plants below.
Rubber trees make excellent houseplants, as they are low-light tolerant, and help clean the indoor air from pollutants. They can grow to impressive heights within a few years, especially if you put the plants outside during the summer. Keeping the plants in small pots will restrict their growth, if you want to keep them smaller.
PREPARE
The better the soil, the better your indoor plants will grow. Healthy soil is especially important when growing in a limited area. Choose a potting mix that is free draining like Tui Indoor Plant Mix, specially formulated with the right blend of nutrients to give your indoor plants in pots and containers the best start.
Select a container that is a suitable size for your plants. Ensure the container has enough capacity to house the roots of the plants you want to grow. Drainage is also essential, so keep this in mind when choosing your perfect pot. The bigger the pot the bigger your plant will grow. Pothos like to be root bound, to keep the pot on the smaller side.
PLANT
Check plant labels for individual planting instructions.
- Water plants thoroughly before potting and allow to drain.
- Partly fill your container with Tui Indoor Plant Mix.
- Gently take the plant from the current container (be careful when handling the roots of this plant as).
- Position the plant in the centre of the new container and fill with Tui Indoor Plant Mix up to 3cm from the top.
- Gently firm the mix around the plant. The mix should be at the same level on the plant as it was in the previous container.
Light
The right plant in the right place is the secret to healthy indoor plants. Rubber trees do best in lots of bright, unfiltered light. Close to an east facing window is a good spot so it can take in enough sunshine during the day, but not too much so that it burns the leaves. If your tree begins to lean and grow towards the light, turn it around every few weeks. These tropical plants don't like drafts, so keep them away from any exterior doors or windows.
NOURISH
Watering
Rubber trees like to we watered well about once every 7-10 days. Water thoroughly, but don't let your plant sit in water, allow the water to completely drain out of the pot. Being a tropical plant they also thrive In warm, humid conditions. Make sure to mist the leaves daily to help increase humidity.
Feeding
Tui Indoor Plant Mix contains a starter fertiliser to provide instant nutrients and prevent transplant shock, along with a controlled release fertiliser for sustained feeding for up to six months, however continuing to replenish nutrients will ensure your plants remain healthy. Apply a general purpose fertiliser like Tui Enrich Pour & Feed Indoor Plant Liquid Fertiliser once a month during spring and summer, or for a sustained feed for up to 6 months use Tui Enrich Pots & Containers.
Common problems
Root rot can be a common problem with Rubber trees and can be caused by over watering and improper drainage. It will show in dark brown spots on the tree.
These plants can be particularly fussy and don't like to be moved. If you've recently brought yours home or moved it's spot, it might drop a few leaves.
Underwatering your plant will show in a brown colour and crispiness on the outside of the leaves.
Well nourished and cared for plants will be more resilient to common problems including temperature fluctuations, pests and diseases.
Pet friendly
This plant is considered toxic, so keep away from pets or small children.