Plant Care Rubber Bush

Rubber Bush

5.0 out of 5 (3 experiences)

Rubber Bush has a Survivor plant personality Survivor
Rubber Bush has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower

About Rubber Bush

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

Ficus Robusta, Ficus Robusta, Rubber Fig, Rubber Tree and Rubber Plant

How to care for Rubber Bush

💦 Water

How often to water your Rubber Bush

Water needs for Rubber Bush
0.5 cups
every 9

Rubber Bush 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 Rubber Bush

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 Rubber Bush: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Rubber Bush love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Rubber Bush does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Rubber Bush

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Rubber Bush: 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 Rubber Bush after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

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💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Rubber Bush 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

Rubber Bush 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

Rubber Bush 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

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

Ficus Robusta Toxicity to Cats →

Ficus Robusta Toxicity to Dogs →

Ficus Robusta Toxicity to Humans →


💨 Humidity

Rubber Bush 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

Rubber Bush 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

Rubber Bush 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 Rubber Bush 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

Rubber Bush is native to worldwide Tropics.


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Rubber Bush grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

How and When to Prune Ficus Robusta →


🌱 Propagation

Rubber Bush 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 →


🧐 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 Rubber Bush

Rubber Bush

Rubber Bush


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

Rubber Bush has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 3
Rubber Bush has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 3
Rubber Bush has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 2
Rubber Bush has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 1
Dannielle avatar
@Dannielle
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 675 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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