Hello! I am your Ficus Elastica, often called a Rubber Plant. To help me thrive and grow my large, glossy leaves, I need the right environment. Please place me in a spot with bright, indirect light. A north or east-facing window is perfect, or a few feet back from a south or west window. Direct, harsh afternoon sun will scorch my beautiful leaves, leaving unsightly brown marks. Conversely, if I'm in a dark corner, I'll become leggy and my leaves will lose their vibrant color. I prefer a cozy room temperature between 60°F and 80°F (15°C - 27°C) and despise cold drafts or sudden temperature changes from heaters or air conditioners. They cause me great stress.
My relationship with water is crucial. I enjoy a good drink, but I absolutely hate having wet feet. Overwatering is the quickest way to make me sick, as it will rot my roots. Before you water, please check my soil. Stick your finger about two inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water me thoroughly until you see water escape from my pot's drainage holes. Then, always empty the saucer underneath. In the winter, when I'm growing more slowly, I will need much less water. My leaves will droop slightly when I'm very thirsty, but it's best not to let me get to that point.
I need a well-draining, aerated potting mix to be happy. A standard indoor plant potting soil amended with some perlite or orchid bark is ideal, as it allows oxygen to reach my roots and prevents waterlogging. While I am a resilient plant, I do get hungry during my growing season (spring and summer). To support the energy I expend pushing out new, large leaves, please feed me a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength about once a month. Please do not feed me in the fall and winter; I am resting then.
With good care, I can grow quite tall! If I become too leggy, you can prune my stem just above a leaf node. This will encourage me to branch out and become bushier. You can also wipe my large leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks. This removes dust, allowing me to breathe and photosynthesize more efficiently, making my foliage shine brilliantly. Always support my stem when handling me, as I can be top-heavy.
I will communicate my health through my leaves. Yellowing leaves often mean you are loving me a little too much with water. Drooping leaves can mean I'm either too dry or too wet—check my soil to be sure. If my leaves are developing brown, crispy edges, the air might be too dry, or I might be getting too much direct sun. Small brown spots with yellow halos can be a sign of a disease. Paying attention to these signals will help you adjust my care and keep me healthy and strong for years to come.
