With the right care, you can enjoy your rubber tree for many years. We show what you should consider when watering, fertilizing and cutting.
the rubber tree (Ficus elastica) is a popular houseplant. This is of course due to its dense, evergreen leaves, but also because it is very easy to care for. Your rubber tree will thank you for the right care with lush growth and a long life. So that you know what to look out for when caring for the rubber tree, we have summarized everything about the correct watering, fertilizing and pruning of rubber trees here.
The rubber tree is a plant of the fig genus (ficus). Unfortunately, you can't wait in vain for this treat by the rubber tree in your room, because the small fruits of the houseplant are inedible. On the other hand, the lush, dense leaves are particularly decorative and the rubber tree is used for decoration in the home or office.
In order for the rubber tree to look particularly beautiful, it needs a little attention from time to time. Apart from watering, fertilizing and cutting, it is the special leaves of the tree that need your attention. Don't let your gum tree become a dust collector. Unfortunately, the plant's large, broad leaves are an ideal place to collect dust. So if you want to do something good for your rubber tree, take a damp cloth and wipe the leaves with it. If that is too much work for you, you can simply give the rubber tree a cold shower. He will thank you for it and also visually make a lot more.
Water rubber tree
The rubber tree does not like wet feet. If it is too wet for him, he throws off his leaves. Therefore, it is best to water it only when the upper substrate has already dried. To find out, you can do the finger test. To do this, the finger is inserted into the substrate. When the top few inches feel dry, it's time to water. Lukewarm, stagnant water is best for this. Five minutes after watering, you can remove excess water from the planter. So there is no waterlogging and no lack of oxygen for the roots or even root rot.
Another way to water the gum tree is to submerge it. To do this, place the root ball in a bucket of lukewarm water for a few minutes. This allows the root ball to soak up water. The rubber tree remains in the water until no more air bubbles rise.
Watering rubber tree summary:
- Check the substrate with a finger test
- Allow the top layer of substrate to dry
- Water moderately
- Use lukewarm, stale water
- Remove excess water from the coaster
- Alternatively, water by immersion
Fertilize rubber tree
The rubber tree is very frugal when it comes to fertilization. You should therefore never fertilize it too often. It is enough for him if he is supplied with a liquid fertilizer every six weeks. Even better is a supply of a fertilizer with a long-term effect. Fertilization every three months is sufficient. But not only that you don't have to fertilize as often with a long-term fertilizer - if it is a fertilizer with an organic long-term effect, it is also more environmentally friendly. Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer with an organic long-term effect provides your rubber tree with all the important nutrients and also consists exclusively of natural raw materials.
Summary of fertilizing rubber trees:
- Don't fertilize too much
- Ideally every 3 months with fertilizer with an organic long-term effect
- Alternatively every 6 weeks with liquid fertilizer
pruning rubber tree
You can do many things with a pruning on your rubber tree: you can curb growth, promote growth or shape the tree into the right shape. It is particularly important to use clean tools – a sharp knife or pruning shears. In addition, when the tree is cut, milky, sticky plant sap escapes from the cuts. It is therefore important to take good care of the wounds and to cut the tree at the right time. In winter and in the evening, the flow of sap is lower. You can dab the cuts on the tree with a damp cloth or sprinkle with lukewarm water.
Summary pruning rubber tree:
- To curb growth, prune the entire crown
- To encourage side shoots, cut the trunk above "sleeping eyes".
- Cut off side shoots for upright growth
- Immediately remove dried, dead parts of the plant and those affected by disease or pests
- nurse wounds
A detailed guide and many tips for Pruning your rubber tree you can read here in our special article on the subject.
