Plant Care Ficus Robusta

Ficus Robusta

5.0 out of 5 (3 experiences)

Ficus Robusta has a Survivor plant personality Survivor
Ficus Robusta has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower

About Ficus Robusta

Ficus elastica, more commonly known as the rubber tree, has a white, milky latex that is a source of natural rubber. They’ve also been shown to have excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The aerial roots of the rubber tree have been used to create incredible living bridges in India. The bridges get stronger over time as the roots slowly fuse together, and some are over a hundred years old! 🌉

Taxonomy

Ficus elastica 'Robusta'
Ficus
Moraceae
Rosales

Also known as

Rubber Fig, Rubber Bush, Rubber Tree and Rubber Plant

How to care for Ficus Robusta

💦 Water

How often to water your Ficus Robusta

Water needs for Ficus Robusta
0.5 cups
every 9

Ficus Robusta needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Ficus Robusta

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Ficus Robusta in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Ficus Robusta: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Ficus Robusta love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Ficus Robusta does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Ficus Robusta in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Ficus Robusta

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Ficus Robusta: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Ficus Robusta after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

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💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Ficus Robusta is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Ficus Robusta →

Common Ficus Robusta Problems →


💦 Water Needs

Ficus Robusta prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Ficus Robusta Water Frequency →

Ficus Robusta Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Ficus Robusta requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Ficus Robusta Light Requirements →

Ficus Robusta Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Ficus Robusta is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.


💨 Humidity

Ficus Robusta prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Ficus Robusta Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Ficus Robusta does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Ficus Robusta →

When and How to Successfully Repot Ficus Robusta →

What Are Healthy Ficus Robusta Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Ficus Robusta should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Ficus Robusta →


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Ficus Robusta to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

Ficus Robusta is native to worldwide Tropics.


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Ficus Robusta grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

How and When to Prune Ficus Robusta →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Ficus Robusta can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Ficus Robusta Temperature Tolerance →


🌱 Propagation

Ficus Robusta can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:

  • Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
  • To get the cutting to root, you can either:
    • Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
    • Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

How to Propagate Ficus Robusta →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Ficus Robusta, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Ficus Robusta

Ficus Robusta

Ficus Robusta


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Ficus Robusta has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 3
Ficus Robusta has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 3
Ficus Robusta has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 2
Ficus Robusta has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 1
Dannielle avatar
@Dannielle
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 687 XP
globe Harpenden, England
07/20/2021

Really easy to maintain, has survived over & under watering, grows a lot and is cute as F

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Fast grower Fast grower
Paul avatar
@Paul
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 134 XP
globe Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
06/17/2021

It’s easy to look after, cleans the air and looks wonderful with its rich glossy leaves.

Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
@harvongreg avatar
@@harvongreg
leaf-1 2 Plants
xp 64 XP
05/27/2021

literally indestructible i love her

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate

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