From my perspective as a Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica), winter is a challenging season. I am a tropical native, accustomed to consistently warm conditions. The most critical thing you can do for me is to keep me away from the cold. My internal processes slow down significantly when temperatures drop below 15°C (60°F), and exposure to anything near 10°C (50°F) can cause severe damage to my cells, leading to leaf drop and potentially my demise. Please place me in a warm room with stable temperatures, far from drafty windows, exterior doors, and heating or cooling vents. Sudden temperature fluctuations are as stressful as constant cold.
During the summer, my roots are actively drawing water to support my growth. In winter, with less light and cooler temperatures, I enter a period of dormancy. My metabolism slows, and I require far less water. Overwatering is now your greatest threat to my health. Soggy, cold soil will suffocate my roots and cause them to rot. Before you water, please check the soil. Insert your finger about 5 centimeters deep. If it feels dry, then I am ready for a drink. If it is still moist, please wait. Always ensure excess water can drain freely from my pot, and never let me sit in a saucer of water.
The low angle and shortened duration of winter sunlight is difficult for me. I need to maximize my light intake to create enough energy to sustain myself through this dormant period. Please move me closer to the brightest window in your home. An east or north-facing window might have been sufficient in summer, but now a bright south or west-facing window is ideal. Gently rotate my pot a quarter turn every week to ensure all my leaves get their share of the precious light and I don't start growing lopsided. Wipe my large leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust, which can significantly block the sunlight I so desperately need to absorb.
The heated air inside your home during winter is extremely dry, and to me, it feels like a desert. My broad, glossy leaves lose moisture rapidly in these conditions. While I can tolerate it, low humidity makes me stressed and vulnerable to pests like spider mites, who thrive in dry air. You can help me by increasing the humidity around me. Grouping me with other plants creates a beneficial microclimate. Alternatively, placing my pot on a pebble tray filled with water (ensuring my pot is not sitting directly in the water) or using a small humidifier nearby will make my environment much more comfortable and mimic my natural habitat.
Since I am not actively growing, I have no need for fertilizer during the winter months. My roots cannot absorb the nutrients, and the salts would simply build up in the soil, potentially burning my root system. Please withhold all feeding until early spring when I show signs of new growth. Similarly, repotting is a stressful process that encourages growth, which I am trying to avoid. The energy required to establish new roots is energy I do not have to spare. Unless it is an absolute emergency, such as severe root rot, please delay any repotting until the growing season returns.
