The rubber tree or plant has large, thick, glossy green leaves.If you don't care for the rubber trees, they can get quite large.They grow well outside in warm climates.Provide the rubber tree with the right mix of soil, light, and water and you'll have a happy, healthy plant that makes a beautiful addition to your living space.
Step 1: The pebbles should be placed in the bottom of the pot for drainage.
The pebbles should be at least 2.5 cm in diameter.The bottom of your pot should be covered by a layer of pebbles.At most gardening centers, you can find these.The pebbles will help the plant with its well-drained soil.
Step 2: The rubber tree will benefit from a well-draining soil.
A soil that is aerated is preferred by the plant.Peat, pine bark, and sand should be in the soil.You can buy all of these ingredients at your local gardening store.If you don't want to make your own mix, look for a potting soil that has the same ratio or one meant for foliage plants.The plant will do well in most soils, though a slightly acidic one may be the best.
Step 3: Place the plant in a warm spot in your home.
Pick a corner that's warm enough for the plant to thrive in.Picking an area that isn't susceptible to drafts is important.Don't go below 55 F.
Step 4: The rubber tree can be placed in an area with indirect sunlight.
Direct sunlight can be too much for this plant.Stick it near the window that has a curtain.It still gets some sunlight, but not a lot.In a shady area, it will still get indirect light.It can be placed in a room that gets a lot of sunlight without hitting the plant.
Step 5: Place the tree outdoors in warm climates.
In the US, the plant grows best in the 10 and 11 zones.If you protect it with a wall, it can grow in zone 9.It will not tolerate temperatures above 115 F.There's a map of US hardiness zones at http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/.
Step 6: There is a protected location for outdoor trees.
There are rubber trees that need to be protected.You can protect it by placing it near a wall.If you want to protect yourself from the wind, place it so it doesn't blow in your direction.If the wind blows from the south or west in the US, place the tree on the north or east side of the building.
Step 7: Take a stem from another plant.
A stem cutting can be used to start a plant from a rubber plant.Use a sterile knife to make a slanted cut on the stem.You'll need at least 3 to 5 inches of stem with 2 to 3 nodes on it.The leaves are on the stem.You should wear gloves when working with this plant as it can affect your skin.A sharp knife should be placed in a mixture of 1 part bleach and 3 parts water.It should sit for 5 minutes.
Step 8: The stem can be planted in rooting medium.
The rooting medium should be placed in a small pot.The stem should be planted into a hole with all the leaves above the soil.If you want to cover it with plastic, water it until it's moist.You can move the roots to regular soil and a bigger pot once they reach 1 to 2 inches.
Step 9: Plants can be sprouted from seed instead of from a stem.
A seed can be placed in a tray.To keep the seed wet, mist a piece of thin cloth or paper towel over it several times a day.It can be placed in an area with indirect light.You can grow the seed in a small pot after about a week.Wait until the seed has roots.As seedlings are fragile, be very gentle with them.
Step 10: There are leaves that tell you when to water the plant.
Water once or twice a week in the summer when the plant is growing.You might only need to give it water a few times a month during the winter.You can see if the soil is moist by sticking your finger in it.Add water if it is dry.Give it cold water.If the water is cold from the tap, let it come to room temperature.It also allows the chlorine to evaporate.The plant can be shocked by cold water.
Step 11: It needs enough water to run out of the bottom.
If you have enough soil, you don't have to worry about watering the plant too much.If you want to make sure your plant gets enough water for its roots, you need to add more water to the base.If conditions have been dry, give the plant a good soaking outside.
Step 12: Mist the leaves when the humidity is low.
If the air feels dry, it's probably not good for your rubber plant.It's normal for a plant to be low in humidity.To keep the plant happy, mist it with water once a day.Use warm water on your plant.
Step 13: In the spring and early summer, you should give your plant fertilization every 2 weeks.
During the growing season, give the plant fertilization.It's possible to use houseplant fertilization with water.There is a mixture of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash.Add 1 gallon of water to the mix.The plant should be water as usual.
Step 14: You should Prune to create the shape you want.
Hedge shears can be used to cut off the top of a rubber plant.Rather than growing up, it will branch out.To create a shape, you can trim off branches.Put something down to protect your floors when the plants are trimmed.If you have skin that is sensitive to the sap, avoid it or wear gloves.Make sure you trim it when you want it to stop growing because these plants can grow to 12 feet indoors.Pruning outdoor trees helps keep them an acceptable height.It's best during the spring and summer, but you can do it any time of the year.You can remove dead leaves from the plant.
Step 15: Prune to a single stem outside.
If you leave 2 or more stems outside, it may split in the middle, killing the tree.In the first couple years of the tree's life, leave the hardiest stem with the most leaves.Pruning shears or a hand saw can be used to cut the other stems.
Step 16: Dust can be wiped down on plants with a soft cloth.
Your plant will get dusty from time to time.To clean each leaf, use a soft cloth and warm water.The water is good for your plant, but don't use any cleaning products on it as it will not like that.
Step 17: The leaves on indoor plants are dull.
There are signs that the tree isn't getting enough sunlight.Re-locate the plant to a place where it can get more light.The plant becomes leggy.The plant looks long and straggly because it is stretching its stem out to reach the light.
Step 18: There are yellow and brown leaves.
If your leaves are discolored, that means they need less water.Too much water can kill it as quickly as too little.The rubber tree should only be watered when the leaves are small.
Step 19: If you notice an insect problem, use a gentle pesticide.
An insect invasion could compromise the health of your plant.If you notice damage to the leaves or body of your plant, you can use a mild, gentle insecticide.
Step 20: Plants can be re-pot once a year.
The best time to re-pot is during the summer.Pick a pot that is at least 1 inch bigger than the current one.Re-pot the plant once a year for the first couple of years.When it becomes root bound, you can replant every 3 years.To re-pot the plant, add soil to the new pot.Pull the plant from the old pot, roots, soil, and all by grasping it by the stem.It should be in the new pot.You have to surround it with soil until you reach the top edge of the old pot.The plant should be given some water.
Step 21: Plants that become root bound can be re-pot.
The roots have grown out of the soil.You can tell if the pot is root-bound by grasping the trunk and pulling upward.The plant is root bound if it comes out in one big ball with swirls of roots on the outside.