The rubber plant is all about having a small tree indoors with broad shiny attractive leaves. When this plant is about 1 – 2ft tall it’s well suited sitting as a centrepiece on a table, on a shelf, or on a windowsill, but once it begins to grow above 3ft it looks great standing next to a fireplace, television area or near door entrances (as longs as their are no cold drafts).
Light: A nice brightly lit spot is ideal, without direct sunlight.
Temperature:Average room temperatures of 60 – 75°F (15 – 24°C are fine. Avoid lower than 55°F (12°C), sudden temperature drops and cold drafts.
Watering: Water once the soil becomes slightly dry to the touch and make sure the pot has sufficient drainage holes to allow excess water to seep through. The worst thing you can do regarding watering is “give it too much”.
Soil: A well-draining and well-aerated potting soil is needed. 1 part peat, 1 part pine bark and 1 part coarse sand (or perlite) is a good mix.
Re-Potting: From May – June re-pot once the roots have become pot bound or every year when the plants are very young, and then once every 3 years after the plant has matured. I would renew the soil every year.
Fertilizer: Feed during spring and summer with a diluted liquid fertilizer every two weeks.
Humidity: Normal room humidity is fine. To improve humidity mist the leaves when it gets very warm in the summer.
Propagation: These can be quite tricky to propagate by stem tip cuttings, but you can succeed. Take a cutting (few inches long) and allow the sap to dry for 1 hour. Before potting the cutting in soil use rooting hormone and then provide the bottom of the pot some heat (usually using a heat pad). The temperature wants to be kept at around 70°F (21°C) – 75°F (24°C) ideally.
Pruning: Once the rubber plant has grown to the height you want it to grow up to, you can cut the top off. You may also want to prune back any unwanted branches to give the plant a fuller shape. It’s best to prune in spring or summer but any other time will be fine.