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How to Grow a Rubber Tree in Your Apartment

It isn't that difficult, actually.

By Cheryl RamosPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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How to Grow a Rubber Tree in Your Apartment
Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

The rubber tree also enters the apartments! Although it can reach a height of more than two meters, it can also live freely in a spacious living room, if you take good care of it and cut its branches periodically. Its size should not be an impediment.

The rubber tree looks great, and its large, glossy leaves can just as well be decorative elements in your apartment.

Such a plant, having reached the age of maturity, even stands out in any space! If you want to impress and enjoy a drop of nature inside, the rubber tree is for you!

We show you how to take care of it properly so that the elegant tree looks fabulous and lives in peace with your whole family.

Rubber shaft: care tips

Also known as ficus elastic, the rubber tree gets along very well with pot life, contrary to expectations. Although it is a tropical tree, widespread in the Amazon area, the "weeping tree" adapts quite easily.

Why a "weeping tree"? Its name comes from the sticky sap it emanates when its branches or stem are cut off and it is suffering (be careful if you have sensitive skin, the sap could cause irritation). In general, it is not a difficult tree to maintain.

It is one of the recommended plants for apartment living. That's because it has no pretensions in terms of watering or temperature and turns into a small and nice shrub if you cut its branches constantly.

In addition to light and water, the rubber tree needs a little "cosmetics". Clean the leaves periodically, dust them with a damp cloth and remove the yellowed ones. In addition, the plant needs a "haircut" as per the book. Of course, it will never look like a decorative shrub, but it will thicken its branches and you will be able to control its growth.

The need for water

It is advisable to grow the tree small, just as you would in the case of a pet. This way you give it a chance to adapt to indoor life and you will grow a happy plant.

When it comes to caring for the rubber tree, it is essential to find a balance between how much water you give it and how much light it receives. For example, it is not necessary to drown the plant, but also to leave it for weeks without being watered.

If the leaves start to turn yellow and fall, it is a sign that the plant is oversaturated with water.

If you water the soil once or twice a week, it should be enough, although it is a tree that lasts a long time without the vital fluid. In winter, you can shorten the watering period: once every 2–3 weeks is more than you need.

Exposure to light

The rubber tree loves light but prefers not to be exposed to direct sunlight, especially since too high temperatures do not suit it. If you have a large window with clear curtains, then this is the perfect place for the plant.

This way she has the light she needs, without exposing it to the strong rays of the sun. The rubber shaft is not demanding in terms of temperature either. It adapts very easily to the conditions in the apartment, so it does not need special treatment from this point of view either.

Other useful tips

As a rule, the rubber tree does not need fertilizer to grow harmoniously. It can take years for the soil to supplement. However, if you want to give it extra food, you can use fertilizer once a year, during the spring. But he will do just as well without him.

The rubber tree will grow freely if you do not cut off its tip once a year and cut off its scattered branches. To slow down the growth process (if you do not live in a space with a very high ceiling), it is advisable to take these rules into account.

If you notice that its leaves are falling, you can stimulate the growth of others by a simple trick: make a small crack in the place where they come off. You will notice how fast others grow instead.

If you follow these simple care tips, the rubber tree will grow big and healthy! What plants do you have in the house?

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